If you own and operate a bank account in Nigeria, then there’s a considerable chance that a point will come when you will need to access your bank statement. Essentially, the bank statement helps you to get a proper view of your transactions, so you can perform proper accounting. Whether you run a personal or business account, your bank statement helps with auditing, and can also assist in getting access to additional capital when the time comes.
Given that there are several banks in Nigeria, we’ll be looking at how to apply for and get your bank statement with some of the big names in the country’s banking industry.
The Bank Statement: What Is It?
Like we said earlier, your bank statement is a document that provides a summary of all financial transactions that have taken place via your bank account in a specific period. Bank statements are available to both personal and business accounts, and they provide a thorough accounting of all incomes and outflows made using your bank account.
Read More: Find out the difference between bookkeeping and accounting
Today, some Nigerian banks actually send copies of customers’ bank statements to them. This is done monthly, showing information such as the following:
- Opening Balance: The amount of money in the account at the start of the period – usually a month
- Closing Balance: the amount of money left in the bank account at the end of the period after accounting for all transactions
- Transaction Details: A breakdown of every single transaction done, showing incomes and expenditures, as well as the dates and exact times when these transactions were made.
That said, customers can also request their bank account statements from their banks whenever they need them.
Why Would You Need Your Bank Statement?
Generally, there are several reasons why account holders can request their bank statements:
Keeping Track Of Your Expenses
Primarily, bank statements help you to track your inflows and outflows. This helps with financial responsibility, ensuring that you can easily keep an eye on the activities going on with your bank account.
If you have savings goals, a bank account statement can help you to identify possibilities for saving as you get to examine a proper overview of your spending and you can find areas where you need to cut back.
Serving As Official Documents
For individuals and businesses, bank accounts can also serve as official documents for verification purposes. For instance, if you need to apply for a loan, the lending institution will most likely request your bank statement to ascertain your creditworthiness. It shows proof of your income, and it also gives the institution a glimpse into your financial capabilities.
Auditing & Fact Finding
Finally, there’s also the benefit of being able to check if there has been any fraud perpetrated on your accounts. By reviewing your bank statement, you can spot any unauthorized payments or inflows and immediately flag them with your bank. This keeps your account free of fraudulent transactions and maintains your legal standing.
How To Get Your Bank Account Statement Online
If you ever lose your bank account statement or you need to get it for the first time, don’t fret. Thanks to the magic of the internet, banks now make it possible for their customers to access their account statements as quickly and as seamlessly as possible.
Below, we’ve laid out how to get your bank account statement from some of Nigeria’s biggest banks.
Access Bank
Nigeria’s largest bank by assets, Access Bank has been a trailblazer in the country’s financial landscape. The bank is also lauded for its digital transformation, allowing customers to do just about everything through online channels.
To get your bank account statement from Access Bank, you can send an Email to the bank’s customer care service. Indicate the duration of the statement, and they should send a copy of the statement to your Email in one or two working days
You could also go through the bank’s mobile app – AccessMore. All you have to do is:
- Navigate to the main menu, then click on “Show All.”
- At the top of the screen, tap “Generate Statement”
- Enter the start and end dates, then put in your Email address
- Tap “Generate,” and your statement will be sent to you.
United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Another top Nigerian bank, UBA has also been quick to adopt digital transformation. And today, customers are able to access their bank statements using the bank’s internet banking platform
All you have to do is log into your Internet banking profile and click on the “My Bank Statement” option. Choose a date range, and your bank account statement will be generated immediately.
You should note that this only works if you need a bank statement for a period within the last year. If you want a more comprehensive statement, then you might have to go to a physical bank branch.
First Bank
Next, we have First Bank – another major bank that provides an easy online banking service where customers can access their account statements.
Once on the online banking portal, you can access your bank statement via the following means:
- Click on the ‘Accounts’ tab, then click on ‘All Accounts.’
- Next, click on the account you wish to see statements from and in the upper right-hand of your screen, click on ‘Statements.’
- Select the statement you wish to retrieve and click ‘View.’
- Your statement will display as a PDF file, and you will be able to save or print it out
Zenith Bank
Zenith is Nigeria’s largest bank by market capitalization. If you’re a Zenith Bank customer, then all you need is a mobile app from the bank to check your account statement. All you have to do is:
- Log into the mobile app and tap on “History” at the top-right corner of the screen
- Tap on “Email Statement,” and choose the date range you wish for your account statement
- Enter your Email address, and tap on “Send Statement”
- Enter your PIN to authorize the request, and your statement will be sent to your Email
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)
When it comes to digital reception, GTB stands above other banks in Nigeria. The company was one of the first to embrace digital channels, making it possible for customers to enjoy seamless and reliable services.
So, it makes sense that GTBa would have an online service where customers would be able to apply for and get their bank statements. With the GTWorld mobile app, all you have to do is:
- Sign in to your app and head to the home page
- Select “Account Details” and tap “Statement”
- Select your preferred Start and End Date
- Tap “Send”
Conclusion
Bank account statements are a necessity – whether you run a personal or a business account. And considering that the banks listed above count most of Nigeria’s population as customers, getting your account statement from them should be a breeze. If you’d like to learn more about business operations in Nigeria, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter!