Banking
Diamond Bank Elevates Two ETs to EDs, Promotes 950 Staffers
By Dipo Olowookere
In spite of the harsh economic terrain threatening jobs of many employees and hurting the projections of corporate organisations in Nigeria, Diamond Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to continuously safeguard the career growth of its workers.
Recently, two staff members who joined the bank over two decades ago as Executive Trainees were elevated to Executive Directors following regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This was alongside the Bank’s promotion of 950 members of its workforce.
Diamond Bank’s chief spokesperson, Ms Chioma Afe, said that the Bank places premium value on its workforce and is very passionate about the development of the career goals of staff members that are living the core values of the Bank, noting that job security and career development of staff members have continued to enable the bank deliver quality customer service and strengthen investor confidence in the business.
“Providing unequalled customer experience and delivering superior shareholder value is our core vision; however, meeting this mandate is difficult without the right staff.
“At Diamond, we believe that people are key to providing quality customer experience. That is why despite the hard economic conditions in the country, we are promoting our workers and placing much emphasis on career development of staff members,” she said.
According to the bank, Mrs Chizoma Okoli, Executive Director, Business Development and Mr Chiugo Ndubisi, Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer joined the Bank as Executive Trainees in 1992 and 1996 respectively; rose through the ranks to their current positions on the Board of the Bank.
Commenting on the appointment of Mrs Okoli and Mr Ndubisi to the Executive Management of the Bank, Ms Afe said, “These appointments further demonstrates our devotion to provide a viable platform for our staff to work and excel while grooming them to take on more challenges as they progress within the organisation. We are convinced that Mrs Okoli and Mr Ndubisi will play pivotal roles in the next phase of the Bank’s evolution especially at the Board level.
With these new appointments and promotions, the Bank has strengthened its workforce and fortified its management team, led by Mr Uzoma Dozie, to take on the challenges and opportunities in the business years ahead.
Mr Ndubisi graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Engineering from University of Nigeria, Nsukka and holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Lagos, Akoka.
He was previously the Divisional Head, Financial Management and formerly the Bank’s Financial Controller. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
He has attended various international and local courses including the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of the Wharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania), Driving Strategic Impact Program of the Columbia Business School and the HSBC International Bankers’ course in London. He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School (Pan-African University) Senior Management Program (SMP).
He has actively participated in many projects in the Bank including the various capital raising exercises, as well as the successful integration of the records of the former Lion Bank of Nigeria Plc, which earned the Bank the prestigious ThisDay award for the Best Bank on Mergers and Acquisitions category. He was also involved in the successful implementation of the new banking software (Flexcube) in year 2000, as well as the successful implementation of the new Flexcube version in 2007.
Mrs Okoli is one of the pioneer staff of the Bank and has worked in various roles across the business. She was previously the Head, Corporate Banking Directorate. Prior to this, she served in various capacities as Head, Institutional Banking; Head, Specialized Industries; Regional Manager, Apapa; Divisional Head, National Corporate (Lagos 1) and was the Group Head, Commercial Banking, Adeola Hopewell Group. She is also on the board of Diamond Bank UK and Diamond Pensions Funds Custodian (DPFC).
She is a 1989 Law Graduate from the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1990.
She also has an MBA from the Warwick Business School, Coventry, UK. She has attended various courses in Nigeria and abroad, inclusive of the distinguished Advanced Management Program of the Wharton Executive Education, University of Pennsylvania. She is an Alumnus of the Lagos Business School.
“Chizoma’s appointment as an Executive Director is particularly auspicious following our successful corporate restructuring exercise last year. Not only does this appointment demonstrate to our large number of female staff that they can aspire for the top at Diamond Bank; we are convinced that Chizoma’s wealth of experience working across diverse roles in the organisation over the last 25 years will be a vital asset at the Board level,” concludes the statement.
Diamond Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing retail banks, leveraging innovation and technology to enhance customer experiences and drive financial inclusion in what it terms Beyond Banking.
Since incorporation in December 1990, Diamond Bank has challenged the market environment by introducing new products, innovative technology and setting new benchmarks through international standards.
Today, Diamond Bank is best placed to respond to changing lifestyles and is leading the digital transformation in response to these societal shifts. Diamond Mobile app, for example, is Africa’s leading banking app and the first with the touch ID feature.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
No fewer than 20 fresh millionaires have emerged in the Fidelity Bank Plc Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo.
They winners were picked at the second and third monthly draws of the financial institution held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.
The events were monitored by the representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, including the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Mrs Aboluwade Margaret; and the Principal Legal Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu.
A statement from the lender disclosed that the 20 lucky winners were randomly selected through an electronic draw across Lagos, North, Abuja, South-West, South-South, and South-East zones and would be rewarded with N1 million each.
The Fidelity Bank GAIM campaign was launched in November 2024 and about N19.75 million has been won by 869 customers across different categories.
The GAIM 6 campaign, which will run until August 2025, is set to reward lucky customers with a total of N159 million.
Speaking at the draws, the promo Chairperson and Executive Director for Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank, Dr Ken Opara, noted that the GAIM 6 promo was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, encourage a savings culture, and promote financial inclusion across the country.
Dr Opara, represented by the Regional Bank Head for Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, said, “Fidelity Bank is dedicated to the financial well-being of our customers and this commitment inspired the launch of the GAIM Promo, designed to cultivate a strong culture of savings.
“Through this promo, customers have the chance to win substantial cash prizes up to N10 million by saving and transacting with their Fidelity Bank Savings accounts.
“In addition to the monetary rewards, winners will receive complimentary financial advisory services to secure and grow their wealth for the future.”
Fidelity Bank, ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its commitment to deliver quality service to customers, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has finally embraced the trade finance software of Union Systems Limited (USL), Kachasi.
The lender said its migration from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to USL’s Kachasi is a testament to the strength, reliability and competitiveness of this homegrown solution.
Kachasi is Nigeria’s leading indigenous trade finance software built to empower banks with seamless automation, regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The platform has consistently proven to be a game-changer in the trade finance sector, offering key features such as full compliance with statutory and local regulatory requirements, end-to-end automation of trade finance processes, compliance with international trade regulations, advanced risk management and reporting tools, as well as seamless integration with core banking, local portals and third-party systems.
RMB said its decision to integrate Kachasi into its operations reinforces the platform’s reputation as a trusted trade finance solution.
As international trade becomes more complex, financial institutions require cutting-edge technology to navigate regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure operational excellence.
“This win affirms our commitment to revolutionizing trade finance automation across Africa. As more financial institutions embrace Kachasi, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the banking sector,” the financial institution stated.
Also, the chief executive of USL, Mr Chuks Onyebuchi, said, “This partnership with Rand Merchant Bank marks a defining moment, not just for Union Systems Limited but for African-built fintech solutions on the global stage.
“The successful transition from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to Kachasi proves that our homegrown technology is not only competitive but also better suited to the evolving needs of banks and trade finance institutions.
“Kachasi’s seamless automation, deep integration capabilities, and understanding of the local and international trade landscape make it the ideal choice for financial institutions looking to drive efficiency and innovation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building world-class technology, and we are excited to support RMB in revolutionizing their trade finance operations.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian non-interest bank, TAJBank, is finalising arrangements to raise the sum of N20 billion Mudarabah Sukuk to beef up its additional tier 1 capital with the aim of fueling its business expansion drive in the country.
The issuance is part of its larger N100 billion Sukuk programme.
The new investment initiative, which is coming two years after the issuance of the first-ever N10 billion Sukuk on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited in 2023, presents a unique opportunity for individuals and institutions to invest in an ethical instrument with a competitive 20.5 per cent per annum return.
The Mudarabah Sukuk, which is open to all investors, is designed to offer a stable and ethical investment option, allowing investors to participate in the bank’s profit-sharing ventures.
According to a statement, the the move underscores its commitment to expand access to innovative financial solutions and promoting financial inclusion in the country.
The Mudarabah Sukuk issuance terms and conditions are undergoing final regulatory assessment and approval processes.
The chief executive of TAJBank, Mr Hamid Joda, said, “We are excited to bring this Mudarabah Sukuk to the market, offering a compelling investment opportunity that aligns with ethical financial principles.”
“This listing on the NGX will enable a wider range of investors to participate in our growth and benefit from our profit-sharing model”, the banker added.
Mr Joda had, at the beating of the gong during the listing of the TAJBank’s maiden N10 billion Sukuk bond on the NGX in February 2023, assured investors that the bank’s board and management would ensure good returns on their investments.
Business Post reports that the bond was over-subscribed by over 115 per cent.
“As TAJBank gets the NGX’s endorsement today on its fund raising for operations, I want to assure all investors in the maiden Sukuk bond offer by our bank that the board and management will surpass their expectations in terms of return on their investment and other benefits,” he said.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN