Access Bank Plc Expands Into France, Focusing on Trade Finance for Africa-France Flows

Access Bank Plc, a member of Access Holdings Plc, has officially launched its subsidiary in Paris, France.

The bank has announced that its initial focus will be on trade finance between Africa and France, with a particular emphasis on Francophone Africa.

According to Access Holdings Plc Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, the bank’s strategic expansion into France was necessary in light of Brexit, which created a need for the bank to establish a presence in another European country. While Access Bank Plc already has a strong presence in the United Kingdom, France provides a solid platform for the bank’s continued growth and expansion in Europe.

“Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly in terms of trade on France, so, Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.”

He added that “Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk.

“Furthermore, we are confident that the bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.”

At the launch, the Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said, “Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the bank’s presence across Africa and beyond. Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses.

“Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.”