Access Bank, Nickelodeon’s Dora Explorer Partner To Launch Early Savers Account

Access Bank PLC is on the verge of repositioning retail banking space for children in Nigeria. And the financial institution is achieving this with a dedicated account tagged Early Savers Account- a custom-made banking product for Nigerian parents and children.

The new account is supported by a groundbreaking strategic partnership with Nickelodeon, the global family entertainment super-brand, leveraging the brand’s widely loved Dora the Explorer- the animated pre-school heroine and cartoon character- to encourage financial responsibility from an early stage.

To further drive the adoption of the idea by children and their parents, the promoters of the concept (Access Bank and Nickelodeon) has concluded plans to bring Dora the Explorer and her best friend, Boots to Nigeria in September. The soon-to-be visit will be her first to the country.

Seen in Nigeria on DSTV Channel 305 and STV, the cartoon character will actually be holding her first ever public performance, featuring known nursery rhymes, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September 2011.

Access Bank is using the medium to reach out to the unbanked segment of the Nigeria economy, mainly children 0-9. The bank recognizes that existing banking products targeted at children fail to address some of the key elements children would like to see in offering from the banks. These include: making the bank process simply and fun; educating them about banking in an engaging fashion; making banking for children a family affair and extending the lifecycle of the product to match the development life path of children from birth through childhood to teenage years and eventually adulthood. This is the first time in Nigerian banking history that a product for kids will deliberately adopt this holistic approach.

The product is as a matter of fact designed to inculcate the values hard work, diligence, savings and entrepreneurship in participating children.

Described as a friendly savings account, the product’s gains include competitive interest rates, access to loans for school fees payment, discount vouchers at selected shops and merchant outlets, club member that inspires a proud sense of belonging, invitation to special Early savers children Xmas parties with Dora and many others.

Commenting on the new product, Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said; ‘Access Bank’s introduction of this revolutionary Early Savers Account is the first bold step in the implementation of our financial inclusion strategy. The future of this great nation belongs to our children and we will create a win-win partnership with Nigerian youths resulting in a lifelong customer-banking relationship. The Early Savers Account with Dora the Explorer is strong launching pad from which parents can propel their children along a wonderful journey of financial wellbeing and prosperity.’

Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa also commented thus, ‘we are delighted that Dora the Explorer will be helping young Nigerian children to go on an exciting adventure that will help them understand the value of money and get involved in the banking system early on.’