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CFA Institute to Partner Ecobank on Training, Research

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The need for a closer collaboration along areas of mutual interest in the nation’s financial industry has been emphasised by the President of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute, Mr Paul Smith.

The CFA chief, during a visit to Ecobank Nigeria last Friday, explained that this call was predicated on the pedigree and antecedents of the bank in the financial industry.

According to him, the partnership between both parties would further explore research, training and professional development, stressing that, “We also want to deepen and strengthen our collaboration with Ecobank to expand our reach across the various regional blocs in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.”

While commending Ecobank for its support to its member, CFA Society Nigeria over the years, Mr Smith emphasized that the CFA Institute stands for creating a financial environment where clients’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow.

In his remarks, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan, lauded the visit and assured that the bank was ready to collaborate more with the institute to further develop the financial sector in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

He commended the organization’s sterling activities in growing the ethical and professional practice of financial services in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

He intimated the CFA team of the various strategic initiatives of the bank which are aimed at establishing world-class learning and development platforms for its staff, one of which  led to the recent accreditation of Ecobank Nigeria Academy by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

Head of Strategy at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Unwana Efiong Esang, noted that the desire to deepen and expand collaboration between the institute and the bank was a welcome development especially at a time the financial services industry is experiencing a profound paradigm shift in its business and operating models.

He further stated that such partnerships between global and Pan African financial industry stakeholders will go a long way in enhancing financial services practice and also help  in sustaining the relevance and quality of service of the banking system far into the future.

He restated Ecobank’s strong positive disposition towards actualising the several collaborative options and models available to both organisations.

Also speaking, President of CFA Society, Nigeria, Mr Banji Fehintola, commended Ecobank for its support of its activities over the years and expressed the Society’s willingness to fully take advantage of the several partnership initiatives of the Bank in Nigeria and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Banking

Alpha Morgan Bank Supports Redeemer’s University Business School

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alpha morgan bank redeemer's university business school

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.

The lender gave this reassurance at the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School by Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, the wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank, Mr Ade Buraimo, said the company was proud to be associated with the school, noting its commitment to education and institutional development.

As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.

The commissioning of the business school was witnessed by distinguished guests, including the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; Mrs Bola Obasanjo; and other notable dignitaries.

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Zenith Bank Completes Acquisition of Kenya’s Paramount Bank

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zenith bank plc

By Adedapo Adesanya

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Paramount Bank Kenya Limited (PBL), following the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals in both Nigeria and Kenya.

The development marks a significant milestone in the bank’s regional expansion strategy, reinforcing its ambition to deepen its presence across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The acquisition provides Zenith Bank with a strategic entry into the East African market, positioning it to better support cross-border trade and serve its growing base of regional and international clients.

“This acquisition marks a significant step towards our long-term strategic growth agenda and a strong inroad into the East African markets. It further reinforces the Bank’s position as a leading financial institution in Sub-Saharan Africa and affirms the Bank’s mantra of following our customers’ businesses,” the lender said in a statement.

The development comes after Zenith Bank previously refuted recent media reports and online commentary in November 2025, claiming that the bank is in the process of acquiring Paramount Bank in Kenya as part of its expansion into the East African market.

The move also strengthens Zenith Bank’s competitive positioning within Africa’s banking landscape, as Nigerian tier-one banks continue to pursue regional expansion to unlock new growth opportunities. Others like Access Bank and GT Bank have expanded reach in the last few years.

It will be recalled that the management of Zenith Bank, led by Ms Adara Umeoji, at the Nigeria Exchange (NGX), assured shareholders during the recapitalisation exercise that proceeds from the rights issue and public offer would be allocated to the global expansion of Zenith Bank operations, alongside increased funding for the real sector and upgrading technology infrastructure.

According to her, “35 per cent of the proceeds will fund the bank’s global expansion strategy, increasing its footprint in Africa and other parts of the world. 45 per cent will be deployed as working capital to support the real sector of the economy, and 20 per cent will be used to enhance the bank’s IT infrastructure and digital capabilities.”

Last month, Zenith Bank also expanded its operations to the United Kingdom by opening its Manchester branch office. It also unveiled plans to secure a full listing on the London Stock Exchange, one of the world’s leading stock exchanges.

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Proxy Share Acquisition: Nothing to Worry About—LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Assures Shareholders

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LivingTrust Mortgage Bank

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The board of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc has assured the investing public, particularly its shareholders, that its operations are not being affected by reports of an alleged proxy share acquisition surrounding the organisation.

It was claimed that an investor attempted to take over the control of the real estate lender with funds alleged to have been from questionable sources.

In a clarification to the investing public through the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the company said it cannot confirm if security operatives investigating the claims have submitted their report to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

However, it assured that, “Our bank is stable and that in the event of any change in ownership, we will file the necessary formal notifications and publish detailed announcements.”

In the notice today, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank narrated that, “As a company listed on the Growth Board of NGX, there are regular movements on the bank’s shareholder register.

“The bank’s monitoring of material movements showed an acquisition of 2.24 per cent of its shareholding by Apel Asset Ltd-Nominee, as per its register of June 25, 2025, as obtained from our registrar. However, one month later, in July 2025, the register obtained from the bank’s registrar showed the same shares to be listed in favour of Deril Academy Limited. We are further aware that in July 2025, Deril Academy Limited teamed up with some other shareholders in a takeover attempt via a matter filed in the Federal High Court, Lagos. The attempt failed, and the matter has now been withdrawn.

“Please note that we do not reveal the veil of corporations of juridical entities investing in the shares of the bank, below the level considered statutorily significant.

“While the CBN assesses the source of funds invested in financial institutions, persons purchasing shares of less than 5 per cent of total shareholdings in the open market are not required to be reported to the CBN.”

Business Post reports that the majority shareholders of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank, formerly Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, are Cititrust Holdings Plc and the Osun State Government.

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