When the children from Booker Roots Club stepped into an Access Bank branch in Abuja on Wednesday, 30 July, 2025, for their special field trip, they were stepping into the beginning of a lifelong journey with money.

In many homes, money remains a grown-up topic, something children are not expected to understand until much later. But the truth is, financial habits begin to form early, and unfortunately, so do financial mistakes. That’s why teaching children how money works: how to earn, save, spend, and give, is one of the most powerful things we can do for their future.

This field trip was designed to bridge that gap. Through a hands-on, age-appropriate tour of the banking hall, conversations with Access Bank staff, and fun, relatable activities, the children were introduced to concepts like saving, needs vs wants, and how banks help people grow their money.

It was not just a fun day out; it was a deliberate move to equip the next generation with financial confidence.

Access Bank, long committed to driving community impact through education and inclusion, is reinforcing a simple but powerful message: you’re never too young to understand money. By making banking approachable and financial education accessible, the bank is helping shape a future where young people are not only dreamers, but planners, savers, and future investors.

With every curious question asked and every eye widened in discovery, one thing became clear: these kids are ready. And with Access Bank opening the doors to them, the future looks brighter, more inclusive, and financially empowered.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The N157.8 billion rights issue of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is gradually gaining traction, with shareholders already taking their rights so as not to miss out.

The exercise commenced on Thursday, July 30, 2025, and is expected to close on Friday, September 5, 2025.

This rights issue offers existing shareholders a unique opportunity to increase their stake in UBA and contribute to its strategic expansion and innovation across Africa’s financial landscape.

It is part of the financial institution’s efforts to strengthen its capital base to support lending, digital transformation, and expansion across Africa and key international markets.

It is also the lender’s strategic initiative under the N400 billion equity shelf programme designed to make it one of the flagship financial services providers on the continent.

During the exercise, UBA will offer to shareholders a total of 3,156,869,665 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N50.00 per unit.

These equities would be sold on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 13 ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

UBA is a leading pan-African financial services institution with operations in 20 African countries and international offices in London, New York, Paris, and Dubai.

With a strong presence across the continent, UBA offers services in commercial banking, corporate and digital banking solutions.

The bank’s financial performance has been outstanding, with post-tax profit of N766.6 billion in the 2025 fiscal year compared with the N607.7 billion achieved in the preceding year.

Also, the financial institution demonstrated a strong liquidity position and continued leadership across the continent after its assets increased to N30.3 trillion last year.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In the coming weeks, Sterling Financial Holding Company Plc will be at the capital market to raise additional funds for its flagship banking segment, Sterling Bank.

A statement from the financial institution disclosed that investors would be wooed to close the N53 billion recapitalisation gap of Sterling Bank.

In addition, proceeds of the fresh capital raising, which would be through a public offer, would be used to further strengthen the institution’s capacity for sustained growth across its diversified income streams.

It was stated that the public offer is the first phase of the $400 million capital raising programme approved by shareholders of Sterling Holdco at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 30, 2025.

Recall that the firm concluded a successful private placement and rights issue, with about N100 billion raised, and proceeds used for the full recapitalisation of Alternative Bank and strengthening of the capital base of Sterling Bank.

In recent time, the organisation has been investing in renewable energy, healthcare, and community development, highlighting its role as a catalyst for positive change across Nigeria’s critical sectors.

The company says as it forges ahead with its plans for the second half of the year, it remains resolute in its pursuit of sustainable growth, continuous innovation, and the creation of enduring value for all stakeholders.

“As we continue to diversify our income streams and invest in operational efficiency, we remain steadfast in our commitment to responsible growth, prudent risk management, and sustainable impact.

“Looking ahead to the next phase of our capital programme, we see tremendous opportunity to deepen our footprint in Nigeria’s growth sectors and to catalyse meaningful progress for our customers, communities, and the broader economy,” the chief executive of Sterling HoldCo, Mr Yemi Odubiyi, stated.

Not too long ago, Sterling HoldCo released its financial statement for the first half of 2025 and it impressed with profit after tax of N41.8 billion, which is about 157 per cent higher than the N16.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

The gross earnings rose by 39.7 per cent to N212.6 billion from N152.2 billion in H1 2024, as the interest income increased by 38.3 per cent to N167.16 billion, and non-interest income jumped by 45 per cent to N45.45 billion, attesting to its strategic focus on revenue diversification.

“Our outstanding half-year results are the product of clear strategic focus and a relentless drive to create lasting value for our stakeholders.

“Our performance reflects not just robust growth in core income lines, but also our success in building a resilient and agile business model, capable of delivering superior returns even in a dynamic macroeconomic environment,” Mr Odubiyi noted.