Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has unveiled four of its recently redesigned and
more modern branches in Lagos state, in its bid to continue to deliver
superior banking experience to its customers.The branches are
located at Oba Akran, Allen, Alausa and the Agege areas of Lagos. Union
Bank said the redesigned branches is part of the Bank’s plan to offer
“simpler and smarter” banking solutions to customers and prospects. The
branches have been exquisitely designed and furnished to wear a
sophisticated look.Speaking to journalists at the unveiling
ceremony, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the
bank, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, noted that the new-look was in line with the
bank’s rebranding objectives. “This is aligned with the new Union Bank
brand identity that we launched six weeks ago,” he said.“What we’ve
tried to do here is to give our customers a more contemporary
environment in our business locations but still retaining the old Union
Bank tradition, and then making sure that the branch’s layout is geared
towards helping our customers access their services much more
efficiently.“It is basically a continuation of the new brand
identity that we launched, which is more modern, energised, vibrant and
contemporary. The technology you have in this branch is the same
everywhere else. Back in April, we upgraded our core banking systems,
and the benefits are visible. Customers should simply expect simpler,
smarter, service,” Emuwa explained.The Union Bank boss boss also
said unveiling the redesigned branches was an ongoing process that would
continue for the next two months.“We have a total of 40 so far and
over the next few weeks, you’ll see us unveiling them. We’ve done all
the work over the last few years. Some are new branches which we are
opening; some are old branches which we’ve renovated. We were in Ibadan
recently, and now we are unveiling Oba Akran, Agege, Alausa and Allen.
So, for the next two months, you will see us unveiling our new look
across the country.”Addressing customers during the unveiling, Emuwa also said the branch launch is a reflection of the future of Union Bank.He
added: “The only way that this has remained possible is that for the
past 98 years, customers have been supporting our business, and we hope
and expect that that will continue. In fact, the reality is that we
actually expect more, which is why we are doing this today.”He also
said Union Bank has strengthened all its electronic banking channels,
especially with mobile innovation that ensures that banking services can
be accessed anywhere and anytime.“The last two years have been
quite eventful. We spent a lot of time strategizing, not just about what
it is that we are trying to do as a bank, but also reinventing and
reimaging ourselves. Now, we have our mobile platforms, we have our
channels; those are open 24/7. Yes, we have the
physical branches, but we are not open every time. But through the
mobile channels, you can get to us at anytime of the day or week. So, we
encourage you to use the mobile channels, just as you use the physical
ones.,” he said.Also, a customer of the bank, who is a Director at
Vesa Fisheries, Edosa Aburime, said his firm which has been in fish
business for more than 30 years, with so much support from Union Bank.”I
just want to say two things about Union Bank. We’ve been in the fish
business for more than thirty years, and we wanted to expand again in
2011. We went to a couple of banks, and they all said fish is a
perishable good, and that they don’t want to touch it.So, we went to
Union Bank. To be honest, the first time I went to the bank, the person
closest to me in age was five years older than me. But now, I can see
that I’m older than a lot of people in the bank. It’s been a very good
relationship with the bank and the service has been very satisfactory,”
he added.Also, another customer of the bank, who is the past
president, Lagos Country Club, Chief Olayinka Ogunmekan, said his
interaction with Union Bank started in 1967, saying that up till date he
still banks with the commercial bank.” I don’t have any regrets. I
can tell you that I met my wife in Union Bank and I don’t have any
regrets. Union Bank and Lagos Country Club have been one. At the Ikeja
branch, they’ve been very fantastic. Union Bank is actually moving, and
they are moving fast,” Ogunmekan added.According to the Executive
Director, Commercial Banking, Union Bank, Mr. Kunle Sonola, the bank
has been re-positioned to a new generation bank, adding that the bank has
really moved significantly forward from what it used to be before.”We
have re-positioned the bank and I must say our branches have been
rebuilt for comfort and convenient. We have redesigned our environment
for customers need,” he added.
