Access Bank Plc, the flagship company of Access Holdings Plc, has officially launched its subsidiary in Paris, France.

The bank said in a statement that its operations would focus on trade finance, initially capitalising on flows between Africa and France, particularly Francophone Africa.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, speaking on the purpose of the bank’s strategic expansion efforts said, “Access Bank Plc, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so.

“Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly in terms of trade on France, so, Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.”

He added that “Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk.

“Furthermore, we are confident that the bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.”

At the launch, the Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, said, “Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the bank’s presence across Africa and beyond. Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses.

“Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.”