Ebun Francis|
Access Bank Plc, has launched its new brand with the successful completion of its merger with Diamond bank.
The mega entity now has over hundreds of branches and over 3,000 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across Nigeria and abroad.
The brand showcases the new logo and new slogan – ‘more than banking’, which would is visible from today, Monday, April 1, 2019, in all its branches across the country.
Access Bank currently is the largest retail Bank in Africa by customer base, 27,000 staff across 592 branches, spanning three continents, 12 countries and with 29 million customers.
Explaining the visual identity, the Bank said: “It fuses together the best of Access Bank and Diamond Bank. It builds on the layers of meaning that were built into two iconic brands. Diamond Bank’s was youthful, vibrant and human.
“The diamond shape is fused into the three chevrons, which radiate in all directions to create layers around a core. The retention of the access typeface, colour and font is complemented by the orange logo, which draws from the colour palettes of both banks.
“The use of the diamond colour palette is further emphasised with the dominance of green in its retail application, ensuring continuity for retail customers, whilst the dominant orange in the corporate application provides the same sense of familiarity to Access Bank’s customers.
“Almost twenty years ago, Access Bank set out to change the face of banking in Nigeria. Its goal was to lift the continent of Africa through what it called sustainable banking, showing individuals and businesses across the country that ethical business was good business.
“Providing African businesses with access to intra Africa trade and global markets. Giving budding entrepreneurs the tools to build a business. Offering families the opportunity to realise their dreams. Across the country, another entrepreneur was also building a Bank, with a dream that went beyond banking.
“We wanted to respond to changing lifestyles by using innovation and technology to support societal shifts. With a focus on personalised service that understood people’s desires and ambitions and made them possible.
“These two banks, one a corporate titan, the other a digital retail powerhouse, have come together to create Africa’s largest Bank. For both, the philosophy remains unchanged.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved the proposed merger between Access Bank and Diamond Bank late last year.
In a letter dated December 17, 2018, and addressed to the managing director of Access Bank, the apex bank directed that they get other necessary regulatory approvals for the merger.
“The CBN, in an apparent response to an application for pre-merger by Access Bank stated, “We refer to your letter dated December 17, 2018, on the above subject (application for pre-merger) and write to inform you that the Central Bank of Nigeria has no objection to your proposed merger with the Diamond Bank Plc,” the letter signed by Ahmad Abdullahi, director of banking supervision.
“Furthermore, you are required to obtain other necessary regulatory approvals for the merger, the apex bank wrote”
Although both banks initially denied the acquisition talks, they, however, later confirmed the acquisition saying that the acquisition would be in the best interests of all the stakeholders involved.
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