The Junior Internship Programme was introduced to help mentor and guide young pupils in their future career development and choices. The programme, which started in July 2023, was to end after the long vacation in August but was later extended to October after massive interest by parents whose children were in school during the period.

Following the success of the first season, FBNBank has decided that the programme will run every year during the long vacation and will offer more youngsters internship opportunities at the Bank. Through this, it is expected that the young interns will pick up financial literacy skills, inculcate the habit of saving and also give them the opportunity to make informed career choices.

Commenting on the successful first season of the Junior Internship Programme, Victor Yaw Asante, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FBNBank said, “The opportunity offered by FBNBank has provided our young interns with hands-on experience, training, and understanding of what a career in the banking sector really involves. As the internship programme comes to an end, remember that this is not just a closing chapter but the experiences you have gained here at FBNBank will serve as a foundation for your future success. We at FBNBank are committed to nurturing, developing, and growing young talents and we look forward to the possibility of working with some of you in the future as employees and colleagues”.

Nerdine Akuffo Osei-Owusu, a 12-year-old who was part of the internship programme, stated in his End-of-Internship Report that “I was inspired to learn because everyone was warm and welcoming, and I learned what banking is all about, the activities performed in a bank, the history of FBNBank, and its acquaintance with Ghana. I also learned about the values of FBNBank, namely Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer Centricity (EPIC).”

Another pupil who also shared his experience was 13-year-old Jayden Nii Lante Lamptey, who said, “My Junior Internship Programme at FBNBank was an exciting and insightful experience that introduced me to the world of banking operations, customer service, and the bank’s products. I remember on my first day, the Branch Manager welcomed me and gave me an overview of FBNBank, its branches and agencies, and its Group Headquarters in Nigeria. The Bank’s presence also extends to other countries like Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, DR Congo, and Ghana. I was also given the full details of the Bank’s products, their benefits, and their features.”

A third beneficiary, 10-year-old Adjoa Serwaa Owusu-Prempeh who undertook her internship at the Dansoman Branch of FBNBank in Accra also shared her experience. According to her, “My time at the bank was enjoyable and insightful. I learned a lot of new things with the help of very nice workers, and I hope to use the skills and experience I have acquired as I progress in life. I was at the customer service post at the branch, and I learned a few things that have given me an idea of what one needs to know to open an account and also interact with customers.”

Commenting on the interest shown by the interns and their parents and guardians, Allen Quaye, Head of Retail Banking at FBNBank said, “FBNBank would like to express our gratitude to our interns for their work, commitment, and the impact they made while with us at FBNBank. Following the endorsements by parents and guardians, the Junior Internship Programme introduced by FBNBank will continue to run. The key element will continue to be the fact that it offers young account holders the opportunity to learn about banking and other careers needed in the banking sector and provide them with the necessary skills and information to make the right choices and also to be successful in the future”.

FBNBank has, in its 27 years of operating in Ghana, remained focused on putting its customers and communities first. This it has sought to do through the rich value and excellence of what the bank contributes to the relationship with its stakeholders as a whole, particularly the customers. FBNBank Ghana is a member of the First Bank of Nigeria Limited Group, which is renowned for its great customer service and general stakeholder engagement garnered over its 129 years of operation. FBNBank Ghana has twenty-four (24) branches, four (4) service points and a network of agents across the country, with over 600 staff. FBNBank offers universal banking services to individuals and businesses in Ghana.