Amidst maintenance of its status as the most innovative bank in Nigeria, Access Bank recently launched two new consumer credit cards — the Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the Metal Platinum Card. These cards are the first to be issued in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole. Also, some of its offerings state that Retail and private bank customers of the bank can now benefit from the Membership Rewards loyalty programme and various travel and lifestyle benefits.
An agreement was signed between Access Bank and American Express in 2019 to begin acquisition of merchants to enable acceptance of payments from international American Express Cards by businesses nationwide. The bank is currently prepared for issuance of the first American Express credit cards in West Africa. The international American Express card design is embedded in the Gold and Platinum Cards, with the ‘Centurion’ icon. American Express has also issued these kinds of products outside Nigeria, providing cardmembers with a wide range of rewards and benefits.
Card usage commenced on June 13, 2023.
Group Managing Director of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, affirmed availability of the cards by request and invitation. Also, customers who have shown interest were said to commence usage from June 13, 2023. He added that the bank has a massive network, and its partnership with AMEX has the support of about 60 million customers. Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated that the launch of these cards in Nigeria is a milestone in the rising development in a vibrant payments industry.
According to the CEO, customers want real value and not just transactions. AMEX has therefore been said to be capable of providing valuable card benefits, loyalty rewards and a valid reason to choose electronic payments over cash. Diversification of Access Bank’s services for facilitation of payments will help drive more consumers to the SMEs and retail businesses in Nigeria, who foster Economic Growth. Deputy Managing Director of Retail South, Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, asserted that the launch of the credit cards testifies to the leadership role of the bank in Nigeria.
Special benefits and services are available for cardmembers.
Deputy Managing Director of Retail North, Victor Eliokwu, asserted that the company has always been at the forefront of the banking industry in the country. He added that the partnership with American Express is not the first and will not be the last, as their collaboration will continue. President of the Global Network Services at American Express, Mohammed Badi, said that the presence of AMEX is gaining more vibrancy in Africa through its issuance of license to Access Bank to launch Nigeria’s first American Express cards.
The new Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the metal Platinum Card will provide unique benefits, access and service for cardmembers in the country and even outside the country. They would also enjoy dual-currency functionality (NGN/USD) and international acceptance, car rental perks, loyalty points, airport lounge access, membership rewards, and Insurance and protections. The airport lounge benefits provided by the Platinum Card gives complimentary access to over 1,400 lounges with the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
AMEX has over 135 million cards across the globe.
Vice President and General Manager of Network Partnerships EMEA of American Express, Briana Wisely, stated, at the launch, that Access Bank has an amazing record of expertise and innovations in the payment sector all over Nigeria and in West Africa. As a result, the company is excited to work with the bank. AMEX is a globally integrated payment company and one of the largest card issuers around the world. Currently, the company has over 135 million cards across the globe.
