Alert Group has been honoured as the Fastest-Growing Financial Services Group of the Year at the 2026 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards, in recognition of its expansion, financial achievements and efforts to make financial services more accessible to Nigerians.
The award was conferred during the 14th edition of the BAFI Awards, recently held at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, organised by BusinessDay Media Limited, celebrates outstanding performance, innovation and leadership among financial institutions operating in Nigeria.
Alert Group’s latest achievement comes after a period of considerable business expansion, driven by growth in its lending activities, increased deposit mobilisation and its focus on providing financial services and green energy solutions to individuals and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Reacting to the award, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Alert Group, Dr. Kazeem Olanrewaju, expressed gratitude to BusinessDay Media Limited for the recognition, noting that it would encourage the organisation to strengthen its commitment to inclusive finance and long-term growth.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition from BusinessDay. This award reflects the dedication of our people; the confidence of our customers and the deliberate efforts we have made to build a financial services group that responds to the needs of individuals and businesses.
“Our focus has always been on expanding access to finance, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that play an important role in Nigeria’s economy. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to strengthening our operations, developing relevant financial solutions and creating opportunities for more Nigerians to access the funding and services they need,” he said.
The group operates through four subsidiaries: Alert Microfinance Bank Limited, Auto Bucks Lenders Limited, Bucksfield Asset Management and Greenbucks Limited. These businesses collectively provide microfinance banking, loans to small and medium-sized enterprises, investment and asset management services, as well as financing for clean energy solutions.
Another major milestone in the group’s growth was the acquisition of a national microfinance banking licence by Alert Microfinance Bank from the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2026. The licence is expected to support the bank’s efforts to reach more communities and expand its services nationwide.
The Group Chief Operating Officer of Alert Group, Hachem Bdeir, said the recognition was especially significant because the company’s progress had been built on the confidence customers and businesses placed in its services.
“This recognition is particularly meaningful because our growth is built on the trust and confidence of the customers and businesses we serve. For us, being the fastest-growing financial services group goes beyond expanding our operations. It is about building a brand that people can trust, making financial services more accessible and consistently delivering on our promises to customers,” he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Alert Microfinance Bank, Saheed Raji, also attributed the achievement to the group’s efforts to extend financial services to underserved individuals and businesses while maintaining a sustainable business model.
“Receiving this award is a reflection of the progress we have made in bringing financial services closer to individuals and businesses that need them. At Alert Microfinance Bank, we understand the important role access to finance plays in helping entrepreneurs sustain their operations, pursue opportunities and grow their businesses,” Raji noted.
Alert Group maintains a presence in more than 20 states across Nigeria, operating over 45 branches that provide financial solutions to individuals and MSMEs. In addition to its physical outlets, the group has expanded its digital service channels to include the Alert Mobile app, Goldbucks savings app, Alert Business Banking, point-of-sale (POS) services and the Alert Debit Card.
The award further highlights Alert Group’s expanding role in Nigeria’s financial services sector and its continued efforts to improve access to finance, empower businesses and support the country’s broader economic development.
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