PCI DSS certification means improved security and assurance for FBNBank customers

FBNBank Ghana has announced that it has received PCI DSS certification version 3.2.1. from the Payment Card Industry Standards Security Council (“PCI SSC”) affirming the high level of security around its cards.

The PCI DSS, which means Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is an information security standard for organizations that handle branded cards from the major card schemes. The PCI Standard is mandated by the card brands but administered by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. In order to receive the PCI DSS certification, FBNBank complied with the required technical and operational standards needed to secure and protect card data it keeps of its customers or transmits in transactions and protect card data provided by cardholders and transmitted through card processing transactions.

Commenting on the successful certification, FBNBank Ghana’s Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Mohammed Ozamah said, “this is a testament of FBNBank’s strict adherence to international security standards and regulatory requirements in an era of increasing sophisticated cyber-attacks. The Bank remains committed to excellent information security management and continuous application of International best standards to our business practices. Customers are therefore assured of safer and secured transaction processes with our payment cards.”

Charting the path of its parent bank, First Bank of Nigeria, which is the first financial institution in Nigeria and the West-Africa sub-region to issue 10 million cards to customers across Nigeria, FBNBank Ghana is consistently providing to its customers convenient banking in the electronic banking space for easy access to funds anytime and anywhere.

FBNBank Ghana’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Victor Yaw Asante also said, “FBNBank Ghana remains committed to delivering the ultimate gold standard of value and excellence to our stakeholders, particularly our customers. This certification translates into improved security, confidence and assurance for our customers who experience our services and solutions. Securing the certification attests to the fact that we will always put our customers at the heart of our business. We are pleased with the progress we have made in this regard and we believe that the quality of our people, the passion we have for what we do and the partnerships we seek to forge with our customers would always differentiate our brand.”

Securing the certification required that appropriate investment in staff training and the appropriate systems and platforms. FBNBank Ghana, however, considers this a priority for the Bank’s business because of the obvious benefits it offers customers. The Bank therefore invested in the business in order to meet the 12 key requirements of the PCI DSS certification which requires physical, technological and operational improvements in addition to capacity building for the staff.

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Currently, FBNBank Ghana issues MasterCard branded cards to customers. The Bank will soon offer VISA branded cards, in the process, offering customers choice. This means that customers of the Bank will have the choice of two widely used international card brands supported by an improved and certified system backed by excellent service.

FBNBank has in its 25 years of operating in Ghana remained focused on putting its customers first. This, it has sought to do through the value and excellence of what the Bank contributes to the relationship with its stakeholders, 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 127 years of operation.

It is worth noting that First Bank of Nigeria, FBNBank Ghana’s parent bank won three Interswitch awards in Electronic Payment as the Fastest Mobile Penetration Bank across Africa, Highest Card Transaction Bank and Highest Issuer of VERVE Cards in 2017. An indication that the leading sub-Saharan African bank has taken giant steps towards ensuring that its banking technological infrastructure is well aligned to the fast-moving developments in today’s evolving financial ecosystem. This rich heritage is what FBNBank brings to the people of Ghana.

FBNBank Ghana has 20 branches and two agencies across the country with over 400 staff. FBNBank offers universal banking services to individuals and businesses in Ghana.