Banking
Banker Highlights Role of Cash Management in Business Operations
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A senior banker with Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Ms Ojinika Shote, has explained the role cash management plays in the daily operations of a business enterprise.
Ms Shote, who is the Head of Cash Management at Stanbic IBTC Bank, said in an interview that if a business intends to survive for long, it must pay attention to cash management.
She defined cash management as the effective planning, monitoring and management of an organisation’s liquid or near liquid resources.
According to her, being a treasury management function, it entails day to day cash control, ensuring the organisation has enough cash/liquid resources to meet short-term obligations in the applicable currencies, having an efficient bank account structure that facilitates easy and secure payments and quicker collection of receivables.
“When it comes to running any successful business, whether local or international, cash flow is key. An organisation may be profitable but without cash resources available to run its daily operations, it will not survive for long,” the banker said.
Speaking further, Ms Shote said the cash management space continues to evolve and remain a critical aspect of transactional banking with technological and process advancement.
“We have seen a transition from physical cash solutions, use of cheques and automated clearing house solutions to faster and safer cash management solutions using digital channels for delivery of these solutions, for electronic payments and collections, instant payments and automated reconciliation for business purposes.
“This transition has gradually reduced the risk associated with cash which organisations have had to bear over time and while these risks are not eliminated, they are being reduced to more manageable levels,” she said in the interview.
The financial expert noted that organisations require useful information and actionable insights to support cash flow forecasting, business planning and strategic decision making, adding that banks provide useful data points and analytics that equip the firms to identify and take advantage of new business opportunities.
According to her, Stanbic IBTC is committed to supporting sustainable business in Nigeria, noting that the banking principles of the lender provide a framework for ensuring that the future of banking is created by aligning its strategy and business with the vision for a better society.
“This is evident in our partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the Direct Disbursement Mechanism (DDM), a payment project to support volunteers, mostly indigenes of the rural communities who participate in the implementation of the polio vaccination rounds that take place across the nation.
“Without stipends successfully paid to these volunteers, the DDM project would have been threatened and this amazing milestone of achieving a Polio-Free-Status would have not been met,” she said.
“It is our honour to be the banking partner that supported the WHO and the federal government of Nigeria in achieving this remarkable feat, despite complexities around logistics, planning and managing operations at the grassroots level,” Ms Shote added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the old and new Naira notes will continue to be used for financial transactions in the country beyond December 31, 2024.
There had been rumours that the old and redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes would no longer be legal tender from Wednesday, January 1, 2025, because the central bank would phase out the notes in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement of November 29, 2023.
But the apex bank, in a statement signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Ali, on Friday, clarified that the apex court’s judgement being cited did not authorise the bank to phase out the banknotes by the end of this year.
According to her, the court allowed the CBN to leave the old and new notes to be used concurrently until it decides to gradually phase out the former.
The central bank’s spokesperson urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.
She urged them to continue to accept all Naira notes for daily transactions, encouraging banks to also adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.
“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines,” the statement noted.
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.”
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