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Heritage Bank Trains 5,544 Pupils, Teachers on Financial Literacy

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By Dipo Olowookere

No fewer than 5,544 pupils and teachers in 11 secondary schools across the country were recently empowered by Heritage Bank Plc.

This was part of efforts to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Financial Literacy Day, which marks the Global Money Week.

The CBN’s Financial Literacy Day is a globally celebrated event to promote savings, drive Financial Inclusion, invariably gain a higher standard of life and secure the economy, which is the crux of the Bank’s financial literacy programs.

For the fifth year running, Heritage Bank has successfully commemorated the CBN Financial Literacy Day.

This year, CBN directed Heritage Bank to adopt schools in Benue, Adamawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Imo, Bayelsa and Ogun States for Financial Literacy workshop and the day afforded 5,544 participants (teachers and students) with financial education.

The workshop was premised on the Global Money Week theme: #MoneyMattersMatter. Students and teachers were taught several concepts including; the role and management of money, needs and wants, benefit of budgeting, spending and savings.

Others include savings with a financial institution, the basics of financial education and Heritage Bank savings product for young persons (Bud Account).

Addressing some of the participants, chief executive of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, reiterated the importance for young Nigerians to financially and economically equipped for the development of the nation.

According to him, Nigerian youths and those around the world need to be fortified economically via financial literacy knowledge acquisition, which will foster the importance of understanding savings culture and entrepreneurship.

In line with its mission to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations, Mr Sekibo said Heritage Bank developed the HB Bud Savings Account to help its customers to create wealth for the children and provide them a future of financial independence.

“As a bank committed to creating, preserving and transferring wealth from one generation to the next, we have consistently maintained our position as the leading brand in financial inclusion initiatives by leveraging on CBN’s mandate to impact schools across the geopolitical zones and improve financial inclusion,” the MD reiterated.

According to him, opening a savings account for a child is one of the best ways to introduce him/her to that concept of saving at an early age.

He explained that one of the ways the bank has continued to promote savings amongst children is the introduction of “My day as a banker” which is also the Heritage Bank’s unique way of promoting financial literacy among children, which is the core of the HB Bud Savings Account, specially designed to promote savings habit among children and youths.

Meanwhile, other senior employees of the bank visited other select schools in the country as directed by the apex bank to promote financial literacy.

According to Heritage Bank, today’s children and youth should become empowered economic citizens, capable of understanding the importance of saving, and equipped with the skills to be employed and create their own livelihoods. The bank wants young people to learn to manage their money wisely. By empowering children and youth, Heritage Bank can help them create a positive wave that will expand from themselves, to their families, to entire communities and the economy at large.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Banking

Toxic Bank Assets: AMCON Repays CBN N3.6trn, Still Owes N3trn

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AMCON headquarters

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

About N3.6 trillion has been repaid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since its inception in 2010.

This information was revealed by the chief executive of AMCON, Mr Gbenga Alade, during a media parley to update the press on the activities of the agency.

Mr Alade said at the moment, the organisation still owes the central bank about N3 trillion for toxic assets of banks in the country.

He praised the organisation for its asset recovery drive, stressing that when compared with others across the world, Nigeria has done well.

“It is important to stress that the corporation has done tremendously well, especially when compared to other notable government-owned Asset Management Corporations around the world.

“Based on the balance at purchase, AMCON outperformed other Asset Management Corporations all over the world by achieving over 87 per cent in recoveries despite the unique challenges associated with debt recovery in Nigeria.

“The Malaysian Danaharta, which is adjudged one of the best performing Asset Management Corporation’s, only achieved 58 per cent. The Chinese Asset Management Corporation, despite its stricter laws, achieved just 33 per cent.

“Only the Korean Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO), South Korea, has achieved more recoveries than AMCON, with about 100 per cent. This was due to their brute force with which they chased the obligors.

“Despite KAMCO’s recovery records, the agency is still operational to date with slight realignments in its mandate.

“Other noted Asset Management Corporations that have transitioned into a perpetual institution of the various governments include, China Asset Management Company, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) USA, and KFW Germany.

“So, gentlemen, without sounding immodest, AMCON has done well, and we will not relent until all the outstanding debts are fully realized,” Mr Alade stated.

On the financial performance of AMCON, he said last year, the firm posted a revenue of N156.25 billion and operating expenses of N29.04 billion, while for the 2025 fiscal year should be a revenue of N215.15 billion and operating expenses of N29.06 billion.

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Banking

The Alternative Bank Opens Effurun Branch in Delta

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The Alternative Bank Effurun

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

One of the non-interest banks in Nigeria, The Alternative Bank (AltBank), has opened a new branch in Effurun, Delta State.

The new office will serve the Edo-Delta region and provide purposeful banking and real financial empowerment for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, a statement from the firm stated.

The lender disclosed that the Effurun branch is a bold move in its mission to reshape banking in Nigeria.

The launch was graced by key dignitaries, including the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe I; the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Anthony O. Ofoni, represented his vice, Andrew Agagbo; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Community Development, Mr Ernest Airoboyi; amongst others.

The Divisional Head for South at The Alternative Bank, Mr Chukwuemeka Agada, emphasised the institution’s commitment to Warri and its surrounding communities.

“By establishing a presence here, we are initiating a transformation in the way banking serves the people of Delta. Our purpose-driven approach ensures that customers’ financial goals are not just met but exceeded,” he stated.

“This branch represents our pledge to empower Warri’s dynamic businesses and families, providing them with the tools to grow without compromise,” Mr Agada added.

“We understand the heartbeat of this community, and we are excited to integrate our bank into the fabric of this dynamic region,” he stated further.

On his part, the representative of the Ovie, Mr Samuel Eshenake, challenged the bank to facilitate development and employment within the Effurun community.

The Regional Head for Edo/Delta at The Alternative Bank, Mr Akanni Owolabi, embraced this challenge, pledging that the bank will work sustainably to drive local commerce.

“At The Alternative Bank, we are committed to being an active partner in the development of Effurun. We see this branch as a catalyst for creating opportunities, driving employment, and supporting the growth of local businesses.

“Our mission is to empower this community, ensuring that every step forward is one of progress, prosperity, and shared success.”

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Payattitude, PAPSSCARD to Co-brand Payment Card

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Payattitude PAPSSCARD Payment Card

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A partnership aimed to enable seamless, real-time and secure transactions for cardholders across Africa and the rest of the world has been entered into by Payattitude and PAPSSCARD, the card scheme initiative of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS).

The collaboration will allow Payattitude cards issued by banks and other deposit-taking institutions to be co-branded with PAPSSCARD, Discover, Diners and Pulse for acceptance across their networks in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.

As an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and a key financial infrastructure supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the PAPSSCARD scheme will facilitate instant cross-border payments in local currencies.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to cross-enterprise alliances and enabling inclusive, efficient, and borderless payments across Africa and the world

“With Payattitude, Nigerian cardholders and financial institutions can now enjoy the benefits of a Nigerian card that can be used worldwide,” a director at Payattitude, Dr Agada Apochi, said.

The acting chief executive of PAPSSCARD, Mr John Bosco Sebabi, said the aim is “to connect African payment ecosystems, reduce the cost and inefficiencies of cross-border payments, and strengthen African sovereignty over payments infrastructure.

“Collaborating with Payattitude, a key innovator in Nigeria’s payment space, represents a significant step towards a more unified African payment landscape.”

The chief executive of PAPSS, Mr Mike Ogbalu, said, “By bringing together PAPSSCARD’s robust cross-border payment capabilities with Payattitude’s leadership in the Nigerian digital payments, we are taking tangible steps toward building a single African market where individuals and businesses can transact easily and securely, both within and beyond Africa.”

Payattitude is the first-in-kind Nigerian Payment Scheme to pioneer multibank App and USSD Code *569#.

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