CYBERSECURITY AND CUSTOMER TRUST IN DIGITAL BANKING SERVICES IN SELECTED MICROFINANCE BANKS IN FCT-ABUJA

This study examines the effect of cybersecurity on customer trust in digital banking services within selected microfinance banks in FCT-Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed, targeting customers of two selected microfinance banks in FCT-Abuja. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from a sample of 338 respondents. Data were analysed using regression analysis with the aid of SPSS v23. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, while validity was established through content validation. Results indicate that data privacy and protection significantly influence customers' perceived security in digital banking services. Additionally, fraud prevention has a strong positive effect on customers’ perceived reliability in digital banking. These findings highlight the critical role of cybersecurity measures in fostering customer trust. The study recommends the necessity for microfinance banks to enhance their cybersecurity frameworks by strengthening data privacy policies and implementing robust fraud prevention mechanisms. These efforts are essential for improving customer trust and ensuring long-term digital banking adoption. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on cybersecurity in digital banking, particularly within the microfinance sector in Nigeria. It provides empirical evidence on the relationship between cybersecurity and customer trust, offering insights that can guide policymakers, financial institutions, and regulators in enhancing digital banking security strategies.