Author: Jasmin Ekua, Banking & Finance

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has announced the appointment of three leaders, Mr Wole Adeniyi, Mr Mohamad Darwish, and Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, to its board of directors. These appointments reflect the NESG’s steadfast dedication to promoting visionary leadership and strengthening partnerships with key business leaders and private sector stakeholders. The addition of these accomplished professionals is expected to drive strategic initiatives aimed at transforming and advancing Nigeria’s economic landscape. Wole Adeniyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank Ltd and is responsible for driving the institution’s strategy…

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Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as ‘Bank of the Year, Nigeria’ in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024. The award, which was announced by The Banker Magazine, Financial Times Group, United Kingdom, during the awards ceremony held in London on December 4, 2024, is in recognition of the bank’s strong management, sound business model and strategy, and approach to sustainability and ESG banking practices. The Banker’s ‘Bank of the Year’ accolade is among the most coveted and widely regarded award in the banking industry. Often contested by the…

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The Board of Directors of Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Benson Ogundeji as its substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, following the receipt of the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kayode Falowo, stated, “The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Benson Ogundeji as our Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer”. Ogundeji brings over three decades of extensive banking experience to this role. A seasoned financial services professional, he previously served as Executive Director at Greenwich Merchant Bank…

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Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media wherein allegations of missing funds and unethical behaviour have been made against Access Bank PLC. First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities which we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour. In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the Bank are most untrue and baseless. There is no N500million or any other fund or amount missing…

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CBN Sets the Record Straight: Responds to Attempts to Misinform the Banking Public, Reasserts Role as Nation’s Apex Banking Authority. In a show of strong support for Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set the record straight by debunking false allegations being peddled against GTCO and its Executive Management by faceless and unqualified entities. This was contained in a statement released by the apex banking authority in Nigeria today, reassuring the public that their deposits with Nigerian banks are safe and protected. In the…

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Zenith Bank Plc is offering its ongoing hybrid rights and public offers at the bank’s lowest price range, locking in about 32 per cent gain in potential immediate return for existing shareholders and new investors. Nigeria’s largest bank by profit, Zenith Bank is offering a rights issue of 5.233 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N36 per share. The shares were pre-allotted to existing shareholders on the basis of one new ordinary share for every six existing ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday,…

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given a node for the merger arrangement between Unity Bank Bank and Providus Bank. The bank’s spokeswoman, Mr. Hakama Sidi Ali gave the indication in Abuja, last night. A statement by Mrs. Sidi Ali reads in full, “The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted approval for a pivotal financial accommodation to support the proposed merger between Unity Bank Plc and Providus Bank Limited. “This strategic move is designed to bolster the stability of Nigeria’s financial system and avert potential systemic risks. The…

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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says account names discrepancies in Bank Verification Number (BVN) linked alternate account of some defunct Heritage Bank customers is delaying the payment of their insured deposits. Mr Bello Hassan, the Managing Director of NDIC told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. Hassan said the corporation had paid substantial amount to depositors of the defunct bank without BVN account linked issues. He called on depositors of the bank who were yet to receive their insured deposit credit alert to visit the…

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Nigeria’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider has bagged two awards: Best SME Bank in Africa and Best SME Bank in Nigeria at the highly converted Asian Banker Global Excellence Retail Awards 2024. The Excellence in Retail Finance Awards Programme, which includes the Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards and The Annual Digital Bank Awards, is one of the most established awards of its kind, recognising exceptional innovation, leadership, management, and performance in the financial sector. The 130-year-old institution bagged these two awards because of its full suite…

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By Kayode Tokede FBN Holdings Plc declared N238.53 billion profit before tax (PBT) in its unaudited first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2024 results, which was about 325.2percent growth from the N56.1 billion reported in Q1 ended March 31, 2023. The Q1 2024 results was a reflection of 2023 impressive performance as one of the oldest banks in Nigeria sustained its fundamentals amid domestic and foreign challenges. From its Q1 2024 profit & loss figures, the Group declared N208.1 billion profit, which was about 315.8 per cent compared with the…

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Access Bank Sierra Leone Ltd (‘Access Bank (SL) Ltd’) has announced the appointment of new executives to its Board of Directors (‘the Board’), further strengthening its leadership team and advancing the implementation of its growth and transformation strategy. These appointments also reflect the Bank’s commitment to fostering growth and development while maintaining the highest standards of governance and stewardship. Joining the Board as Non-Executive Directors are Maurice Nathaniel Cole,Nsikak N. Usoro, Michala Mackay, Ibrahim Khalil Lamin, and Kolawole Augustine Ajimoko. The appointees boast a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors,…

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Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc unanimously approved the restructuring of the Bank to a holding company during a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually from Zenith Heights, Zenith Bank Plc, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, April 26, 2024. In accordance with the Scheme of Arrangement dated March 28 2024, pursuant to Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020 between the Bank and the holders of the fully paid ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the Bank, the shareholders voted to transfer 31,396,493,787 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo…

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The federal government on Monday, April 22, vowed to sell off the five electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) now under the management of banks and Asset Management Company (AMCON) in the next three months to reputable technical power operators. Recalled that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) is currently under the management of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Fidelity Bank manages Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company while Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company is under the AMCON management. They all found themselves under the new…

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Nigeria’s currency, the naira rose further on Monday in the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market. At the Lagos street market, currency traders, also known as bureau de change (BDC) operators, quoted the naira at N1,100 to the greenback. The traders put the buying price of the dollar at N1,070 and the selling price at N1,100 — leaving a profit margin of N30. The figure represents an appreciation of N50 or 4.34 percent from the N1,150/$ it traded on April 12. At the FMDQ Exchange, a platform that…

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Access Holdings Plc, one of Africa’s leading financial groups, has unveiled plans to establish a Capital Raising Programme of up to US$1,500,000,000.00 (One Billion, Five Hundred Million United States Dollars) or its equivalent in local currency TheProgramme aims to enhance the Group’s financial strength through the issuance of various financial instruments such as ordinary shares, preference shares, Alternative Tier 1 capital, convertible and/or non-convertible debt, bonds, or other capital and/or funding instruments. The Programme may be executed through a variety of methods including public offerings, private placements, rights issues, book-building…

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It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that The Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Nigeria Banks (ACAMB) extends its deepest condolences to Access Holdings Group on the tragic passing of its esteemed CEO, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR. The renowned business and corporate leader, along with his beloved wife, Doreen, and their cherished son, Chizi, lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash in the United States of America. Dr. Herbert Wigwe, affectionately known as ‘The Fearless One,’ was a visionary leader whose indomitable spirit, dedication,…

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Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, was involved in a helicopter crash in the United States, on Friday. Wigwe, his wife and son were in the helicopter when it crashed in California near the Nevada border, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group). A close source confirmed the development on Saturday evening. Six passengers were onboard, however, no survivors found so far.

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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has successfully arranged a syndicated US$3.3b crude oil prepayment facility sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). An initial disbursement of US$2.25b has been made. A second tranche of US$1.05 billion is expected to be disbursed subsequently. This landmark financing is Nigeria’s largest crude oil prepayment facility and one of the largest syndicated loans raised in Africa in 2023. Investors were keen to consider ticket sizes of US$250m and US$500m amidst current headwinds and year-end pressures in the loan markets. The five-year facility carries…

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In line with its mission of empowering businesses and young innovators across Africa, HabariPay’s Squad has announced the launch of its first-ever hackathon, “Take on Squad Hackathon 1.0.” The social coding event is scheduled to hold on January 19th and 20th 2023, at the state-of-the-art GTCO Training Complex, Tayo’s Plaza, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Take on Squad Hackathon 1.0 is targeted at young innovators in universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria and challenges competing teams to create innovative solutions to problems within their immediate community as well as the wider…

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has, with immediate effect, sacked the entire Board of Directors of Polaris, Titan, Union and Keystone Banks. CBN sources say the decision was taken in a meeting led by the apex bank’s governor, Yemi Cardoso, on Wednesday in Abuja. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, hinted that an official statement dissolving the board of directors will be released shortly. The source said, “In the next hour, there is going to be official communication from the bank. We are working on it and an…

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* With over 4.6 trillion-naira loans to customers in Q3 2023, FirstBank is committed to economic growth and transformation. At the dawn of the new year, it is natural for the Nigerian banking sector operators to anticipate dynamic shifts in regulations, increased digital innovations, and a focused approach toward sustainable growth and financial inclusion, while both the government and private sector eagerly anticipate the banking industry’s pivotal role in driving economic resilience, fostering innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and spearheading inclusive financial initiatives to bolster national development. As a mark of…

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Zenith Bank Plc has been named the “Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria” in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023, underscoring the bank’s pioneering and outstanding achievements in delivering cutting-edge digital financial solutions. Speaking on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said, “We are delighted to receive the distinction as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria. This accolade serves as a validation of Zenith Bank’s trailblazing initiatives in integrating advanced technology within Nigeria’s financial services sector. Our commitment to expanding…

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The Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks in Nigeria (ACAMB) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its esteemed Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdul Kolawole Imoyo. Mr. Imoyo, a highly regarded corporate media manager and Journalist, breathed his last in the early hours of Sunday, December 17, 2023, at First Cardiology, Ikoyi, Lagos, after a brief illness. In a statement signed by ACAMB’s President, Rasheed Bolarinwa, on behalf of the Executive Committee and entire members of the Association, it says until his untimely demise, Mr. Imoyo served…

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has suspended the charging of processing fees of 2 percent and 3 percent previously charged on all cash deposits above N500,000 and N3,000,000 by individuals and corporates respectively, with immediate effect. This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Acting Director, Banking Supervision, Dr Adetona Adedeji. According to the statement, the suspension shall remain in effect until April 30, 2024. Recall the processing charges imposed on cash deposits aboveN500,000 for individuals and N3,000,000 for corporates as contained in the ‘Guide to Charges…

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Africa’s Global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has again demonstrated its prowess on the international stage as it clinched nine prestigious awards at The Bankers Awards 2023, organized by The Banker Magazine – a publication of Financial Times of London, the world’s leading business newspaper. The prestigious awards presented to the Bank at a ceremony in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, included the highly coveted Bank of the Year Africa 2023, solidifying UBA’s position as the leading financial institution on the African continent. The Bank’s subsidiaries also emerged…

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