Union Bank unveils four new-look branches in Lagos

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.