First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is taking its retail banking services directly to North America, launching a multi-state US Diaspora Banking Roadshow.
The bank’s dedicated diaspora unit will set up physical hubs across major Nigerian population centers—including Maryland, Atlanta, and Houston—to assist customers with account reactivation, identity management, and real estate investments back home.
The roadshow addresses common operational challenges faced by non-resident Nigerians. By providing on-site biometric capture and document validation, the team removes the need for customers to travel to consular centers or third-party agencies to update their accounts.
Key On-Site Services and Operational Highlights
1. Bypassing Biometric Friction
A primary draw for the tour is free Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolment. Under Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rules, an active BVN is mandatory for all transactions across Nigerian bank accounts. By offering free on-site biometric capture, FirstBank enables customers to register, link their accounts, and restore full transactional access without delay.
2. Supporting Remittance Growth
The US roadshow aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s campaign to double diaspora remittances to $1 billion monthly by the end of the year.
By helping customers open multi-currency domiciliary accounts (supporting USD, GBP, EUR, and NGN) and issue international debit cards on the spot, FirstBank creates a direct pipeline for diaspora capital to flow securely back to Nigeria through official banking channels.
3. Secure Real Estate Investments
Addressing concerns over fraud in property development back home, FirstBank’s Home & Abroad Platform offers buyers verified real estate opportunities. Diaspora investors can browse pre-vetted residential and commercial properties, access mortgage options, and complete real estate purchases with structured legal oversight.
The US pop-up hubs come as FirstBank continues to build on strong financial momentum. Supported by parent company FirstHoldCo’s record ₦4.798 trillion market valuation and ₦653.5 billion H1 profit, the lender’s expansion into key diaspora markets reinforces its position in both retail and corporate banking.
 Follow the MoneyCentral Nigeria channel on WhatsApp: Click here!
