VFD Microfinance Bank has appointed former Standard Chartered executive Nonso Kenneth Okoye as its new managing director, placing his more than two decades of experience in banking, risk management, governance and financial services at the centre of the bank’s next growth phase.
Okoye succeeds Theodore Asamoah, who served as acting managing director and previously held the position of chief operating officer at the bank.
His appointment comes as VFD Microfinance Bank continues to expand its digital financial services business, having moved beyond its microfinance origins to build a platform serving individuals and small businesses through its VBank digital banking application.
Okoye joins VFD after a career spanning Standard Chartered’s operations in Nigeria and Central Africa, where he held roles covering corporate and investment banking, operational management, risk and governance, financial markets, client coverage and business advisory.
Most recently, he served as chief operating officer for corporate and investment banking coverage at Standard Chartered in Cameroon from September 2020 to December 2025. He coordinated business execution and operational performance across Cameroon, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea.
A key part of his role was the transition of Standard Chartered’s Cameroon franchise to Access Bank Cameroon. Okoye helped coordinate the process, with responsibilities covering operational continuity, regulatory requirements and execution.
Before his Central Africa assignment, Okoye held several positions within Standard Chartered Nigeria. He served as Head of Process, Risk and Governance and Chief Operating Officer for Global Banking, overseeing governance, risk, compliance and operational frameworks.
His previous positions included chief operating officer for financial markets, head of client coverage specialist for origination and client coverage, risk manager and strategist, and senior credit analyst and business operational risk manager.
He also served as financial analyst and deputy financial controller at Standard Chartered, building experience across financial management and banking operations.
Okoye began his professional career in consulting, working with KPMG and Arthur Andersen in roles covering assurance, financial reporting, risk analysis and business advisory.
His work at Standard Chartered also earned him a Group CEO Recognition Award and the CEO’s “Going the Extra Mile” Award for his role in leading the unbundling of the bank’s Debt Capital Markets business in Nigeria.
He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management and an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
At VFD Microfinance Bank, Okoye takes charge as the institution seeks to scale its digital financial services and strengthen the systems supporting its growth. The bank’s VBank platform offers savings, credit, investment and payment services to individuals and small businesses.
The new Managing Director’s experience in operational management, risk, governance and banking transformation will be central to managing that expansion while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational controls.
His appointment therefore places his banking and operational experience at the centre of VFD Microfinance Bank’s next phase, with the institution seeking to increase customer adoption, transaction volumes and the range of services delivered through its digital platform.
Chinwe Michael is a financial inclusion advocate and economy journalist who uses compelling storytelling to drive awareness. With a background in Banking and Finance and experience across accounting, media, and education, she applies sharp analysis and attention to detail to every piece. She simplifies complex financial and economy concepts into engaging content for Africa and global audience. Chinwe also doubles as a speaker with global recognition for her expertise.
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