Picture this: it is payday, and you need to transfer money to a loved one or pay a utility bill. In the past, that meant rushing to the bank, standing in long queues, and hoping you’d finish before closing time. For many Nigerians, this was the reality: time-consuming, stressful, and inconvenient.

But times have changed. In today’s digital era, mobile banking has become more than a convenience, it is a necessity. With mobile banking apps, you can manage your finances securely, instantly, and from anywhere.

That’s where FirstMobile, FirstBank’s official mobile app, comes in. Designed with customers in mind, it transforms your smartphone into a personal bank branch. Whether you are checking balances, transferring funds or paying bills, FirstMobile makes banking seamless and accessible.

With FirstMobile, the story shifts from waiting in line to managing your money on the go. It’s banking without boundaries, right in your pocket.

Why Mobile Banking Matters

• Convenience: Access your account anytime, anywhere.
• Security: Transactions are protected with PINs, OTPs, and biometric authentication.
• Efficiency: Skip the branch visits. Check balances, transfer funds, and pay bills instantly.
• Real-time updates: Get instant notifications for account activities.
• Comprehensive services: Manage beneficiaries, monitor transactions, and stay in control of your finances.

How to Download and Activate FirstMobile

• Search for FirstMobile on your Google Play Store or Apple App Store
• Install the app  and click Get Started.
• Select Register Profile.
• Choose your registration option: Debit Card or BVN.
• Input your FirstBank ATM card number or BVN as required.
• You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS.
• Enter the OTP in the app to verify your identity.
• Set a five-digit mPIN (your login PIN).
• Choose and answer two secret questions.
• Create a four-digit transaction PIN for authorizing transactions.
• Follow the prompts to finalize setup.

Once complete, you are ready to enjoy FirstBank’s mobile services.Mobile banking is no longer optional; it’s the smarter way to bank. With FirstMobile, FirstBank has made it easy for customers to stay connected to their finances, securely and conveniently. Whether you are checking balances, paying bills, or transferring money, the app ensures you are always in control.

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended 31st March 2026, with a 6% growth in Gross Earnings, from N950 billion reported in Q1 2025 to N1.01 trillion in Q1 2026. This is despite the challenging operating environment and tightening monetary policy stance.

From the unaudited statement of account submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Thursday, 30th April 2026, this growth was driven by increase in interest income and non-interest income. The increase.

in interest income was primarily due to the expansion of the Bank’s risk asset portfolio, supported by disciplined, risk adjusted pricing. Interest expense moderated by 5% YoY in Q1 2026 underscored by a continued optimisation of the Bank’s deposit mix and funding structure. This resulted in a 7% growth in net interest income from N591 billion in Q1 2025 to N634 billion in Q1 2026. Non-interest income also improved 19% year on year, rising from N89 billion to N106 billion, highlighting an improvement in fees and commissions and higher contributions from other operating income streams. This performance reflects stronger customer activity and deeper transaction volumes across key business channels.

As a result, the Group recorded a 3% year on year increase in profit before tax, which rose to N361 billion compared with N351 billion in Q1 2025. Profit after tax also increased by 1% to N314 billion.

Profitability was further supported by a decline in cost of funds to 3.76% in Q1 2026 from 3.90% in Q1 2025; while cost of risk moderated to 2% in Q1 2026, reflecting a prudent and proactive risk management stance in an elevated yield environment.

Gross loans increased by 9% from N11.06 trillion as at full year 2025 to N12.04 trillion in Q1 2026, reflecting the continued commitment to carefully deploying credit into high growth sectors of the economy that enhance portfolio returns. Asset quality strengthened as Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio eased to 3.79%, from 3.82% reported in December 2025, underpinned by disciplined credit risk management. Customer deposits rose to N24.47 trillion in Q1 2026, while total assets increased by 2% to N32.01 trillion over the same period.

Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) stood at 24.9% and 4% respectively, supported by strong top line earnings and enhanced balance sheet efficiency. Net interest margin (NIM) strengthened to 12.5%, up from 10.3% in Q1 2025, underscoring the Group’s ability to preserve its margins and deliver improved shareholder returns. Prudential ratios remained strong and comfortably above regulatory requirements.

The Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Liquidity Ratio stood at 23.5% and 71% respectively, while the coverage ratio remained strong at 169%, reinforcing the Bank’s resilient capital and liquidity position. The Group’s Q1 2026 performance underscores its continued focus on sustaining high quality earnings growth, further strengthening asset quality, and deepening customer engagement through continued digital innovation. The Bank remains firmly committed to delivering sustainable growth anchored on sound corporate governance, prudent risk oversight, and disciplined capital allocation.

On Saturday, March 28 2026, Zenith Bank held the climax of its month-long activities to commemorate March as women’s month. The event which held at The Civic Centre, was the second of such activity at the Centre, having held the International Women Day Seminar on the 9^th of March, 2026. The event was to honour and give awards to exceptional women who have shown resilience in their communities with heir vocation impacting lives sustainably.

Speakers after speakers eulogized Zenith Bank for its people-centred activities and appreciated the Ford Foundation for identifying the Bank as a worthy partner in its push to support women in their peculiar cultural and economic conditions across the world.

Themed “Celebrating Resilience, Leadership, and Generosity” the award recognised 19 women who were selected from the six geo-political zones in trade, petty manufacturing, education, and agriculture. These women demonstrated extraordinary strength, leadership, and impact despite the significant challenges posed by the difficult economic situation in the country.

According to the organisers, the initiative provided a platform to showcase unsung “Sheroes” — everyday women who are making meaningful contributions in their communities and fields. These include market women, small-scale business owners, community leaders, educators, healthcare workers, and many others whose vital roles often go unnoticed.

The sponsors of the event noted that each awardee exhibited excellence in several key areas, including leadership and initiative, community impact, innovativeness and resourcefulness, perseverance, integrity, community trust, and philanthropy.

Among those honoured were:

• Mrs Regina Amankulor, a retired nurse empowering young people in Umuode-Nsulu community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State;
• Mary Matanmi, Coordinator of the Nigeria Association of Hairdressers, Barbers and Cosmetologists, Lagos State chapter;
• Ifeanyi P. Ugwueze, a Guidance Counsellor and Life Coach who continues to thrive despite blindness and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree.

Others include:

• Amina Musa, a trade educator based in Karonmajiji, AMAC, Abuja;
• Adenike A. Lambo, the Iyaloja of Ilorin;
• Sadiya Abubakar, an educator in Jibi (Deidei), Bwari Area Council, FCT;
• Erikan Idem Andrew, a market woman with significant community impact in Port Harcourt;
• Ngozi B. Nwankpa, an Aba-based fashion designer;
• Hadiza Umar, a Development Specialist based in Kaduna, Kaduna State;
• Joy C. Ezenwa (aka Mama Amala), a trader at Sabon Gari Market, Kano;
• Shola Esther Babalola (Mama Sho), promoter of natural honey and founder of the Mama Sho Honey brand in Lagos;
• Josephine Ugwu, a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), honoured for her honesty in recovering and returning millions of naira mistakenly dropped by passengers at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
• And many others.

In her keynote address, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, who was represented by Executive Director, Adobi Nwapa, praised the awardees and reaffirmed the bank’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment. She noted that “Zenith Bank’s commitment to gender inclusion is not a rhetoric but one of the ethos that the bank holds very dearly”. In her words, she also said, “Zenith Bank has a 50-50 gender ratio with women occupying strategic positions in the bank’s management and Board up to the current Group Managing Director being the very first female to hold that position.

The Regional Director of the Ford Foundation, Dr Chichi Aniagolu, described the Woman of Power Award as an eye-opener, noting that her team’s journey across the country revealed the vast and often overlooked facets of human potential among Nigerian women.

Both the Ford Foundation and Zenith Bank Plc have pledged to sustain and grow the initiative in the coming years.

Zenith Bank used the forum to notify the women of their various women-targeted products and initiatives, including the Z-Woman initiative, and the Bank’s 19-year sole sponsorship of the NBBF Women’s Basketball League; thus, further highlighting its position at the forefront of women empowerment and economic inclusion across the country.