#GTBankFashionWeekend 2019: 7 times GTB set the trend

Show-stopping fashion looks on and off the runway; a top-trending hashtag; an assembly of fashion enthusiasts; doses of masterclasses and fireside chats, all geared towards promoting enterprise; describe Africa’s biggest fashion event, #GTBankFashionWeekend, which happened on the 9^th and 10^th of November 2019.

Regardless of whether you attended the event, social media served as a highlight reel and awareness tool before and after the event. Including this stop-and-stare film ad, that has amassed 1.8 million views in one month.

Trendsetter… Innovator… GTB. From ground-breaking banking inventions, to bespoke architectural designs across its 231 branches in Nigeria and an extended banking hour for customers, here are 7 times GTBank set the trend:

1. Introduced online banking and SMS banking

GTB introduced online (internet) banking and SMS banking to the Nigerian banking system, and a naira denominated MasterCard. It is also the first Nigerian bank to maintain mobile service centres; GTB-on-wheels.

2. The *737# Jam

In 2017, GTB released an out-of-the-norm jingle for USSD Banking Service and in Nigerian advertising. With its very catchy and groovy tune, a colourful video and video length of 3:50, this jingle became an instant hit, appealing to all age groups. Produced by the extraordinarily talented, Cobhams Asuquo, the delivery of the hit line: “ohhhh, 737”, an SMS short code to a simpler and easier way to banking, that didn’t require the use of the internet, was indeed music to everyone’s ears.

With about 1,346,059 views, the “Simple Life” theme song is still a hit.

3. NdaniTV: Taking you “inside” Africa

Online media platforms have become popular and most top-tier banks in Nigeria, have all followed suit, this strategy for content creation and advertising. GTB was the first to launch this in 2012, with NdaniTV, Africa’s premier online media platform. With hit shows and series under its belt like: Skinny Girl In Transit, Gidi Up, The Juice, Frank Donga’s “The Interview” and TGIF Show, and 245,000 subscribers on YouTube, NdaniTV is truly on a journey to take you inside Africa.

4. Zero-Naira = Zero Worries

Most millennials in Nigeria, can relate to the zero-naira account balance/zero funds initiated by Guaranty Trust Bank to incentivise students and undergraduates to open Savings accounts with the financial institution. A foreseen strategy to expanding its customers base with that demography, and a form of financial inclusion, this aided in building a life- long relationship of belief in these youngsters, that will be rewarded with loyalty to the bank and brand, GTB in the later years. Now of course, as more financially stable individuals, which by extension also translates to corporate accounts.

5. Banking For Free

On October 29^th, 2019, GTB announced the bank will no longer issue charges on transfers and USSD transactions for undergraduates, aged between 16-25 years under the auspice of its banking product GTCrea8. Covering the cost on all expected charges for these account holders.

6. Habari

In 2018, GTB launched the first mobile platform in Nigeria created by a financial institution, that focuses on people’s needs such as music, shopping, lifestyle content and more. Not to be mistaken for a mobile banking application that is limited to a bouquet of regular products, Habari which translates to mean, information in Swahili, is targeted at creating a digital experience to add value to the lives of people. Offering access to users buying goods and services from over 10,000 small businesses.

7. GTBank Food and Drink.

GTBank Food & Drink Festival is an annual food exhibition and sales event, the premier culinary event in Africa, and the biggest culinary experience in Africa, that brings together tens of thousands of food enthusiasts from across the continent to support and celebrate Nigeria’s food industry and retail sector. A 3-day event which has hosted 450,000 people in the last three years, this year’s edition (April 28^th, 29^th, 30^th), featured an extra day (May 1^st) to better accommodate, the line-up of activities. From the finest street foods, to a diverse range of tastes to suit a cosmopolitan audience, and masterclasses facilitated by food and drink experts from around the world, it’s literally a family affair at this food feast.

You’ve been served!