Owerri, Nigeria, February 11, 2016: – Today, FINCA Microfinance Bank Ltd Nigeria opened it’s second branch at Relief Market Owerri after a year of operations in the country.

According to the World Bank, 56 percent of Nigerians are financially excluded. FINCA offers Nigerians simple but innovative financial solutions – savings, term deposits, microinsurance, funds transfer and loan products – to help low-income and small entrepreneurs to effectively grow their businesses, manage their money and save for the future.

In the past year, FINCA has made great strides reaching more people with competitive financial services. FINCA Nigeria now has over 14,000 clients, has mobilized over ₦110 million in voluntary savings and clients have accessed over ₦550 million in loans.

With a strong commitment to serving low-income clients with warmth, trust and responsible banking, the bank won Microfinance Bank of the Year in 2015 for southeastern zone for its efforts in community engagement.

Speaking at the opening event, Rupert Scofield, the global president and co-CEO of FINCA said “FINCA’s services in Nigeria are one of the most innovative in our network and are accessed through an efficient branch and non-branch network. We are proud to see FINCA Nigeria grow and their services reach more low-income Nigerians, microenterprises, and small businesses that need access to socially responsible financial services.”

Philip Takyi, the CEO of FINCA Microfinance Bank Ltd Nigeria said at the branch opening, “Our focus is to be the number one financial institution serving low income entrepreneurs and serve as the community bank for Nigerians”.

“We owe our achievements in our first year to,firstly, our clients who trusted us from the start and continue to entrust us with their savings and the growth of their businesses. Secondly, our staff, who have diligently served the institution over the past one year. We are also thankful to Central Bank of Nigeria, who have provided oversight and insight to our operations from the start till today.”