Banking
Access Bank Paris to Strengthen Cross-Border Trade, Investment
By Adedapo Adesanya
Following the new launch of its subsidiary in Paris, France, Access Bank says it is committed to strengthening cross-border trade and investment between Africa and the world, connecting businesses to opportunities within the continent as Africa’s gateway to the world.
The launch of Access Bank’s Paris subsidiary marks a significant milestone in the bank’s global expansion strategy.
In a statement, the bank said this move would enable Access Bank to expand its operations in Europe, strengthen its international presence, and deepen its relationships with global clients while serving as a hub for supporting the bank’s growing trade finance business in Africa.
It will also enable Access Bank to provide seamless banking services to its clients doing business in France and Europe.
With a population of over 67 million people and a GDP of €2.4 trillion, France is a key player in the global economy. Access Bank’s new subsidiary will enable the bank to tap into the country’s vast business opportunities, particularly in the area of cross-border trade finance.
The subsidiary’s location in Paris is strategic, as it is the commercial and financial centre of France with a vibrant ecosystem of businesses and institutions. This positioning will allow Access Bank to leverage its local expertise and extensive network to provide tailored solutions to its clients.
In his remarks at the launch event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, the parent company of Access Bank, Mr Herbert Wigwe, noted that “the establishment of Access Bank Paris is in line with the bank’s long-term strategy of becoming Africa’s gateway to the world. He also expressed confidence that the new subsidiary will play a key role in driving trade and investment flows between Africa and France”.
Mr Wigwe, while speaking on the purpose of the bank’s strategic expansion efforts, said, “Access Bank Plc, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe, and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so.
“Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly—in terms of trade—on France, so Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.
“Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk. “Furthermore, we are confident that the Bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.
He also acknowledged the role of the bank’s various stakeholders in making the expansion drive successful, Mr Wigwe stressed the value of its customers, shareholders, regulators, and the communities it operates.
“Our successes over the years would be footnotes but for the relationships we have fostered with these critical contributors. In recognition of this, we are committed to building long-term partnerships with all our stakeholders in France – based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.
It must be noted that Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank Plc, has recently announced earnings of N1.38 trillion in the 2022 financial year, making the financial behemoth the first banking institution in Nigeria to hit and cross the N1 trillion mark in gross earnings.
This demonstrates the bank’s robust risk management, strong credit rating, and high growth potential, as well as the confidence in the bank by its various stakeholders.
With its innovative banking solutions driven by best-in-class technology, customer-centric operations, and its people, Access Bank is on course to achieve its 5-year plan of processing one in every two transactions in Africa and being present in major commercial hubs in the world.
“Access Bank’s presence in France represents an important step towards achieving its goal of bridging worlds and connecting opportunities for African businesses. The bank’s latest stride also lays a marker for realising its recently unveiled 5-year strategic growth plan.
Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, said at the event, “Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the bank’s presence across Africa and beyond.”.
“Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses. Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.”
“We remain committed to building a bank that is truly global in scope, yet locally relevant in its approach, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and expand our footprint in new markets,” Ogbonna added.
Access Bank UK, led by Mr Jamie Simmonds, would oversee the operations of the Paris subsidiary and would effectively become the umbrella company for other representative offices in the country.
Access Bank Paris has already received regulatory approval from the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority (ACPR) and is now fully operational.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc recently completed the raising of N209 billion out of its targeted N400.5 billion public offer in the ongoing recapitalisation efforts directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create resilient banks amid rising external shocks in the global environment.
Speaking on this development, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the equity capital raising has set a strong foundation for accelerated development.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to our new and existing shareholders, as well as the regulatory authorities, for their unwavering support during this initial phase of our equity capital raise.
“The strong participation and successful capital verification exercise and allotment process reaffirm the confidence investors have in our fundamentals and execution capabilities.
“This sets a solid foundation for accelerating our strategic roadmap, which aims to pivot the Group for transformational growth and unlock greater value across the Group’s Banking and Non-Banking businesses,” the banker stated.
GTCO had launched a public offer of 9.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N44.5 per share, with N209.41 billion realized, representing 52.3 per cent of the total offer size.
The offer garnered substantial interest from domestic retail investors, raised a total of N209.41 billion from 130,617 valid applications for 4.706 billion ordinary shares, fully allotted.
“This milestone concludes the first phase of GTCO’s phased equity capital raise programme, which is structured on a balanced allocation strategy based on an equal split between institutional and retail investors. This balanced approach aligns with GTCO Plc’s commitment to fostering a well-diversified and robust investor base,” GTCO stated.
The announcement followed completion of the capital verification exercise conducted by the CBN and the approval of the basis of allotment of the offer by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 30 pregnant women at the Mushin Primary Health Centre in Lagos have received maternity kits from Fidelity Bank Plc.
The gesture from the financial institution is part of its efforts to support improved maternal health in the metropolis.
It was gathered that the items were given to the beneficiaries through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the lender aimed at promoting staff involvement in community development under the Great Minds Inductees Class.
“The project was borne out of the need to support pregnant women by providing them with essential materials for a safe delivery,” the Divisional Head for Brand and Communications Division at Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, explained.
“Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country accounting for a substantial proportion of global maternal deaths.
“In fact, a 2023 United Nations report indicate that nearly 28.5% of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria.
“This is an alarming statistic and as a bank given to improving the welfare of our host communities, we deemed it fit to support initiatives to address this challenge in the Mushin community with this donation,” he stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Olusanya, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the bank’s support.
“I appreciate Fidelity Bank for helping us. Many pregnant women cannot afford these kits, but this donation ensures that we can have safe deliveries and better healthcare,” she said.
The Medical and Health Officer for Mushin Local Government Area, Dr Kayode Odufuwa, said, “This intervention by Fidelity Bank will help reduce maternal mortality and encourage more women from less-privileged backgrounds to register for antenatal care.”
“On behalf of the Chairman of Mushin LGA, Mr Emmanuel Bamgboye, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Fidelity Bank for extending its donation of maternity kits to pregnant women at this centre.
“We appeal for continued collaboration with the Bank to further strengthen healthcare services within the area,” he stated.
On her part, the Apex Nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing Services in Mushin LGA, Mrs Bolanle Odunlami, said, “The donation is a much-needed relief for many mothers who are unable to afford essential delivery kits. Fidelity Bank has truly shown empathy by coming to the aid of our patients, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
Business Post reports that through the FHHP, employees of the bank identify projects that benefit their immediate community and gather funds to implement them.
The bank’s management then matches this contribution with an equivalent amount and allocates it for the chosen projects.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The management of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc has assured that the boardroom crisis rocking the company would not affect its operations.
Recall that a group of shareholders with 10 per cent equity stake in the financial institution asked for an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) under section 215 (1) of CAMA for the removal of the chairman of the board, Mr Femi Otedola, and a non-executive/deputy chief executive of Geregu Power Plc, Mr Julius Omodayo-Owotuga.
They argued that Mr Otedola, who owns Geregu Power, was plotting full control of FBN Holdings by planting his loyalists on the board.
The aggrieved shareholders pointed out that the businessman was planning to take charge of the proposed private placement of N360 billion shares of the firm, accusing him of removing those he felt were blocking his way.
To calm nerves, FBN Holdings issued a statement on Thursday, informing its stakeholders that the crisis does not pose a threat to its services.
“This matter does not in any way impact the operations of the company, and all the businesses within the Group continue to provide uninterrupted services to its customers.
“We assure our valued customers, shareholders, investors, other stakeholders and the general public that we are taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of the company and its subsidiaries.
“The Group’s performance continues to improve, resulting in a higher market capitalisation even as we work towards surpassing the regulatory minimum capital well ahead of the deadline.
“In the meantime, the Registrar and Lead Issuing House are collating the returns from all receiving agents in respect of the company’s rights issue which closed on December 30, 2024.
“FBN Holdings and its subsidiaries remain committed to the highest level of corporate governance,” the notice signed by its scribe, Mr Adewale Arogundade, said.
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