Zenith Bank has partnered with Visa to launch the Visa Signature Card, a premium payment solution designed to serve affluent customers with lifestyle and travel benefits across global and local markets.

The new card was unveiled during a media briefing held at Zenith Bank’s headquarters in Lagos, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to expanding premium financial services and delivering tailored payment solutions to its customer base.

Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Retail Group at Zenith Bank, Emmanuel Lanre Oladimeji, said the product represented a step forward in the bank’s strategy of expanding services tailored to high-value customers.

He said, “What we are launching today is the scale-up of what we already have and what we are selling to the affluent customers of the market today.”

Oladimeji explained that the bank already offers gold and platinum card products targeted at affluent customers, adding that the new Visa Signature Card provides another level of connection with that customer base.

“Our alignment with Visa today is to launch the Visa Signature Card, which is another scale and another level in terms of our connection with the customer base. It is designed specifically for customers who value convenience and who are internationally mobile, so we can serve them wherever they go,” he said.

Marketing Director for West Africa at Visa, Seun Adaramola, said the partnership was built on research into the lifestyle and spending patterns of affluent customers.

She explained: “We are partnering with Zenith Bank to provide a unique value proposition for affluent customers, and what we try to do is design the value proposition based on their lifestyle.”

According to her, the card is designed to support the travel, shopping and everyday payment needs of customers who frequently move across countries for business or leisure.

“With this product, they can access unique benefits on the card, as well as global and local offers. We have partnered with different merchants globally so that when these cardholders travel abroad and go to those merchant organisations, they get discounts and benefits,” Adaramola said.

She added that the benefits extend beyond international travel, noting that partnerships with merchants within Nigeria also allow cardholders to enjoy discounts and special offers.

“We are very mindful that people also use their cards when they are back home in Nigeria. So we have also partnered with some merchants locally, where they can enjoy unique benefits. This includes spas, gourmet restaurants and premium services.”

Adaramola said the card also offers access to airport lounges across many parts of the world, describing the product as more than a payment tool.

“With this card, it’s not just a product. It is actually unlocking a lifestyle. It gives access to a lifestyle that customers are used to. One of the benefits is access to airport lounges globally. They can even travel with someone and enjoy those benefits together,” she said.

Assistant General Manager and Head of Card Services at Zenith Bank, Celestina Appeal, explained that the bank identifies affluent customers largely through their spending patterns and financial capacity.

Appeal said the bank already serves some of these customers with the Visa Infinite card, often referred to as the black card, and the new Visa Signature Card adds another option within that segment.

She explained that the card is denominated in foreign currency to support the international transactions of its target users.

Regarding security, Appeal assured customers that they can immediately block their card if it is lost or stolen by contacting the bank or using the mobile app.

Director of Business Development for West Africa at Visa, Badeji Oluwatoyin, said the initiative reinforces the bank’s focus on serving affluent and high-net-worth individuals with tailored payment solutions.
Oluwatoyin said the card also offers concierge, medical and travel assistance services to help customers access support when abroad.