Category: Banking & Finance

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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First Bank of Nigeria has named Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu as its acting managing director with effect from April 2024. The Bank stated this in a release signed by its acting company secretary Adewale Arogundade. Alebiosu takes over from Adesola Adeduntan, who gave up the role abruptly on Saturday even though he was due to complete his tenure in December 2024. The release stated that “following the resignation of the managing director/CEO of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Board of Directors has appointed Olusegun Alebiosu as the acting CEO of the…

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The shareholders of Access Holdings Plc at the 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday, April 19, 2024, unanimously backed the Group’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of up to US$1.5 billion as well as the subset initiative to raise up to N365 billion, specifically, through a Rights Issue of ordinary shares to its shareholders. The proceeds of the Rights Issue would be used to support ongoing working capital needs, including organic growth funding for its banking and other non-banking subsidiaries. The shareholders also ratified the appointments…

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The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), today shut down Heritage Bank’s head office in Lagos following the sack of over 1000 personnel by the management of the bank led by Mr. Akinola George-Taylor without following due process, The union said it had resolved to continue with the picketing until the management of the bank decides to do the needful by ensuring the sacked workers get their legitimate severance package. The aggrieved ex-staff of the bank have locked the gate and prevented anyone from going in…

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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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Wema Bank Plc is swimming in troubled waters as depositors and stakeholders are jittery over the safety of their funds and the health of the lender over the high level of fraud cases the bank recorded in the year 2023 amounting to over N1.13bn. National Infinity reports that in its full-year 2023 financial statement released recently, the bank disclosed that it recorded fraud in its system to the tune of N1.136 billion. This has become worrisome to financial analysts and further shows that the bank’s security system may be either…

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Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2024, winning the award for the fourth time since 2019. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 31st Annual Best Bank Awards Winners. The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Factors considered in selecting the top banks ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed…

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Nigeria’s Central Bank, on Thursday, unveiled new minimum capital requirements for banks, pegging the minimum capital base for commercial banks with international authorisation at N500bn. This is coming days after the apex bank urged Nigerian banks to expedite action on the recapitalisation of their capital base to strengthen the financial system. This was according to a statement released by the apex bank on Thursday. The statement reads, “Confirming this in Abuja, on Thursday, Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Sidi Ali, said the new minimum capital base for commercial banks…

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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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In a strategic move aimed at furthering its mission to empower African traders with the necessary payment solutions for thriving in the digital era, Squad, a fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), offering comprehensive payment and e-commerce solutions for businesses, has entered a partnership with OmniPay, a subsidiary of OmniRetail Inc. This collaboration has currently benefited more than 65,000 stakeholders, which include retailers, distributors, and manufacturers through improved payment and collection methods using Squad’s Virtual Bank Account without incurring any charges. Additionally, they have gained more accessible…

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FirstBank, Nigeria’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, was announced as the Best Corporate Bank at the recent prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence, Nigeria 2023. The Bank clinched the coveted award based on its 130-year commitment to enabling its corporate customers achieve success through relevant and tailored financial solutions. FirstBank’s continuous investment in technology has been crucial to its leading industry role in optimally meeting the needs of its corporate customers. Recent investments in technology include the development of its smart and interactive Transaction Banking Platform known as…

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FirstBank has launched the second season of its Cash Out promo designed to reward users of FirstMobile, its industry-leading mobile banking solution. The FirstBank Cash Out Promo 2.0 which began on Monday, 15 January 2024, ends on Friday, 15 March 2024, and is open to new and existing customers. Leading up to the grand finale – with 1 million naira up for grabs – the promo comprises three distinct categories, each offering attractive rewards comprising N10,000 worth of airtime and data, N20,000.00, and N100,000.00 respectively. In the first category, 100…

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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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Access Holdings has confirmed the death of its Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Herbert Wigwe. Wigwe died in a helicopter crash on Friday with his wife, son, and a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo. The bank in a statement on Sunday signed by the Company’s Group Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, confirmed the unfortunate incident. “It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer…

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More details have emerged on the ill-fated crash of a chopper that had Herbert Wigwe, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, wife – Chizoba, son and three others on board. THE WITNESS learnt that Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), and two others (yet to be identified) were also onboard the helicopter when it crashed in California near the Nevada border. The United States federal aviation administration (FAA) said the Eurocopter EC130 helicopter crashed around 10 p.m. California time (Saturday,…

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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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Access Bank, the lead subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a transaction with the Ugandan-based Finance Trust Bank Limited and its shareholders for the acquisition of a majority equity stake in FTB. According to a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Wednesday, the proposed acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. In recent days, Access Holdings had moved to expand its business segments with the acquisition of an insurance brokerage firm, Megatech Insurance Brokers Ltd and the floating…

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Union Bank of Nigeria has reassured its partners, customers and critical stakeholders of continued excellent service and seamless operations following the recent appointment of its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Yetunde Oni, by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The bank assured its customers that as a long-standing financial institution in the Nigerian banking industry, it will continue to provide top-quality services and products while operating under the best tenets of corporate governance as enshrined within the guidelines of the CBN. Under its new leadership, the bank pledged to sustain…

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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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Amarachi Ugochukwu, a female marketing employee of Globus Bank, Ikorodu branch, Lagos State, has committed suicide while at work in the office. The deceased, 32-year-old Amarachi Ugochukwu, was said to have drunk an insecticide. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Monday within the premises of the bank. Ugochukwu had around 1pm made her way into the restroom, where she drank the insecticide, unknown to her colleagues. Father Who Loses Daughter To Suicide In UK Bares It All | Punch0:11 / 1:01 Other members of staff had started looking…

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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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Zenith Bank Plc has dismissed as entirely untrue reports on the purported arrest of its Group Managing Director, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, in a section of the media. The reports had claimed Dr Onyeagwu was among bank CEOs arrested by the EFCC in connection with alleged fraud at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The bank however clarified that the GMD was neither arrested nor detained by the EFCC or any other anti-graft agency, adding that he is currently fulfilling his duties and responsibilities as the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.…

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Association of Corporate & Marketing Communications Professionals in Banks in Nigeria (ACAMB) has announced the burial details for its distinguished Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdul Kolawole Imoyo, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday, December 17, 2023, at First Cardiology, Ikoyi, Lagos, after a brief illness. Mr. Imoyo, a highly regarded Corporate Media Manager and Journalist, leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the field of Corporate Communications. Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa, the President of ACAMB, said in a statement that the burial arrangements, as communicated by the Imoyo family,…

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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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In a startling revelation, a presidential panel investigating the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the tenure of former Governor Godwin Emefiele has uncovered unauthorised investments of Nigeria’s funds in 593 foreign bank accounts across the United States, China and the United Kingdom. This was part of the final report that the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July, Jim Obazee, submitted recently. The findings suggest that Emefiele, during his term, allegedly directed substantial sums to these accounts without the necessary authorisations. The investigative report…

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In line with its usual custom of rewarding loyalty especially during the yuletide season, Africa’s Global Bank – United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc- has rewarded its loyal customers in the just concluded UBA Super Savers Draws giving out over N36million in cash prizes Others were Musa Abdulhamid; Paul Peter; Sarah Olabanke Olawunmi; Do-Ere Ekpe; Nduka Paul; Ijeoma Loveday Ndumechi; Idris Muhammed; Chinonye Christabella Olumba; Ossai, Josephine Oluchukwu; Gift Rhoda Adode; Felix, Felicia; Nwakaego Sunday; Okwudiri Victor Nwankwo; Peter Enyo-Ojo Alfa; Blessing Damilola Alao and Gbolahan John Ayanlowo When contacted…

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