Banking
9PSB Promises Low Transaction Charges, Attractive Commission
By Adedapo Adesanya
9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), as part of its efforts to reach more unbanked Nigerians and providing a more convenient way of banking, has officially launched its platform in Lagos, with the promise to have six million subscribers within one year.
Business Post had reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave final approval to 9PSB to commence operations in fostering financial inclusion drive in the Nigerian ecosystem in August 2020.
The debut of the platform becomes imperative as bank customers continue to encounter numerous challenges such as regular long queues in the banking halls, consistent network failure, stringent documentation to access credit facilities and frequent transaction/dispensing error, among others.
Speaking during the launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 9PSB, Ms Branka Mracajac, said the service was launched to provide Nigerians more secure system to transact with ease and get rewarded for using the platform.
“You don’t have to go to the bank or need BVN to operate; all customers need is their phone number, which represents their account number.
“I would say there is a difference between our platform and other banking platforms. All a customer needed is to have a smartphone or feature device and that’s it, so there could be no rush hour,” she said.
On the targeted customers, she said: “I would say that we are targeting every Nigerian, of course, our purpose here is financial inclusion but we are not limited only to other banking populations. We think we can offer better services even for bank clients.
“We are independent of 9mobile, that is, we stand alone and not a branch of 9mobile. Our relationship is a business for business relationship. 9PSB has its own board; in fact, the regulator stipulates that it must be independent.
“We will deploy a wide network of agents in rural areas to start educating clients who don’t have the opportunity to have access to banking; we will also build trust and educate them on a daily basis on how to use banking services.”
On his part, a non-executive director in the firm, Mr Philips Oki, said: “We tend to reach over six million subscribers in our first year so, the growth is massive; in terms of return, the agents are going to be introduced to good remuneration in term of the commission that cannot be compared to in the industry, among others. Returning to our partner is another angle. Our partners are going to enjoy a lot because this is going to be first in Africa and in Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Head of Product and Service Team, Mr Femi Balogun, said: “The challenges are huge and we are still facing them; challenges from CBN documentations to product development. Product development has been a challenge because we want to offer value, and because of that, we needed to review pay-point of the customers.
“The team went to Kano State to seat with the farmers to understand their pay-point, we also went to Maiduguri to meet the people in the IDPs camp; we were in Nasarawa, and Yobe because we want to deliver value. The challenges still continue because we will continue to improve.”
On charges, Mr Balogun said: “We have low transaction charges; we understand what our competitors are doing and we are bringing value; the more customers buy recharge cards on our platform, the more they get cashback in their account. Customers also get a commission for using the platform, which is why we are bringing it to the table.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.
The deal for the 24-year-old South African lender is due to be completed in the second half of 2025, upon regulatory approval.
This shows Access Bank’s further expansion plans in line with goals set by its late founder, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
The agreement to acquire 100 percent stake in Bidvest Bank reflects Access Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies.
Bidvest Bank, founded in 2000 is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.
As of its year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent of $665million and audited profit before tax of $20million.
Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.
This is coming just as the bank opened a new branch in Malta as part of efforts to focus on international trade finance after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
The Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have announced a new partnership with African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria to support the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, a joint programme launched in 2008 to provide access to capital and training for women entrepreneurs globally.
The two Nigerian banks are part of nine financial institutions from across Africa which have agreed to join the 10,000 Women initiative committing to leverage the business education and skills tools the programme provides to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent by providing access to business education.
Others banks include Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire, Equity Bank Group, Banco Millenium Atlantico – Angola, Baobab Group, and Orange Bank.
Speaking on this, Ms Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs said – “10,000 Women has had a powerful impact to date, but we know that there are more women to reach and more potential to be realized.
“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa, and mainstream lending to female business leaders. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital that they need to scale.”
Since 2008, the 10,000 Women initiative has provided access to capital and business training to more than 200,000 women in 150 countries.
“This expanded initiative marks a significant step forward in creating equitable economic opportunities for women in Africa, enabling them to build stronger, more resilient businesses and to realize their entrepreneurial goals,” said Ms Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion.
Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative complements the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), launched in 2014 by Goldman Sachs and IFC as the first-of-its-kind global facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
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