Banking
Financial Inclusion: Heritage Bank Targets 1,000 Agent Banking Partners
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In 2008, a research conducted by an international agency, Enhancing Financial Innovation & Access (EFINA) showed that about 74 percent of Nigeria’s rural community was unbanked.
Against this backdrop, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated a policy aimed to reduce the figure by 20 percent by 2020 to ensure greater participation in the nation’s financial sector, thereby offering financial services to the nooks and crannies of Nigerian communities; providing access to underserved markets.
One of the lenders in the country, Heritage Bank Plc, as part of efforts at meeting this target, took an aggressive approach with the introduction of agent banking partners.
Over the weekend, during the signing up of two agents’ corner shops, the bank disclosed that it would bring on board 1,000 agent partners by the ending of 2017.
The two corner shops opened over the weekend at High Rise Business Centre in Simawa community behind Redeemed Convention Camp and Layeni Folayemi Enterprises in Omu Ijebu, both in Ogun State.
As at June 2017, the agent base had grown at an average rate of 50 new agent sign ups monthly bringing the total number of active agents to about 450 and growing.
This lends credibility to the consistency of the service and how it is changing lives and empowering Nigerians across the country.
At this steady growth rate of approximately 17.5 percent new agent per month on can say that hitting the long term vision of 100,000 active agents in five years is well within reach.
However, to this effect, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, explained that the bank has continued to set standard in the launching of ‘Corner Shop’ to cater for the need of traders and artisans at different locations across the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of the agent, Zonal Business Coordinator, South-West, South-South, Agent Banking, Heritage Bank, Oluwakemi Adewunmi, noted that there was indeed a gap in the community without any financial institution to service the need of the people.
Adewunmi assured that with the new development, accessing banking services in Omu Ijebu and Simawa areas have become easier for all the people in the community.
Her words: “It does not matter whether you have your bank account with Heritage Bank or otherwise, the mobile POS deployed by the agent will make banking at the people’s doorstep so easy and stress-free.
The latest however came with a peculiarity as a community leader and politician, Olatunde Rotimi Paseda, an indigene of Omu Ijebu released a property to the bank for the purpose of financial inclusion.
Paseda, a Governorship aspirant under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in 2015 general elections, released the building to the bank in order to cushion the stress the indigenes of the locality faced anytime they wanted to transact banking business.
Before now, the people living in the neighbourhood and its environs used to travel to Ijebu Ode where banks have their branches located before they could carry out even the basic banking obligation.
Mrs Layeni Folayemi, promoter of Layeni Folayemi Enterprises, Corner Shop who made the disclosure at the launch of the agent outlet on Thursday, acknowledged that the presence of Heritage Bank in Omu Ijebu would greatly help to alleviate the pains the people hitherto experienced in accessing bank for financial transactions.
Managing Director of High Rise Business Centre, Corner Shop, Ogundayini Godwin said he set up the facility in a bid to save cost and energy for the residents of the community, adding that before the advent of the agency arrangement; people in the community used to spend about N600 to be able to withdraw any amount of money from the ATM in Redeemed Convention Camp.
He said there is high liquidity in the community with some people coming to make deposits while others come to make withdrawals.
Some of the customers were very enthusiastic with the programme and commended the bank for the bold and laudable policy.
Banking
Proxy Share Acquisition: Nothing to Worry About—LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Assures Shareholders
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.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) registry surged to 68.6 million in the first three months of 2026 from 67.8 million in the last quarter of 2025, reflecting continued uptake of the unique identity platform for bank customers amid new regulatory directives to strengthen the Nigerian financial landscape further.
Data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) showed that the database expanded by 754,128 in the first quarter of the year.
Last year, the sector recorded 4.3 million new registrations, largely driven by the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to register remotely, thereby boosting cross-border financial inclusion.
The data for fresh enrolments in 2026 showed a slowing rate of registrations, with fewer than one million recorded in the first three months. The total number of active bank accounts in Nigeria stood at over 320 million as of March 2025, highlighting a gap between BVN coverage and the broader banking population. While a single BVN can be linked to multiple accounts, unlinked accounts remain a challenge for financial oversight.
Last month, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced a revised BVN regulatory framework to strengthen identity verification and fraud prevention. Among the new provisions, only individuals aged 18 and above are eligible for BVN enrolment, and customers are now permitted to update the phone number linked to their BVN only once.
The apex bank also directed financial institutions to maintain a temporary watch list of BVNs associated with suspected fraudulent transactions. Affected BVNs remain on the list for up to 24 hours, during which owners are contacted for clarification before further action is taken.
According to the CBN, the measures are designed to tighten fraud monitoring, protect transaction integrity, and enhance identity management across Nigeria’s banking system.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One tune that is on the lips of young and energetic Nigerians is the new ALAT: The Evolution jingle.
The melodious clink was designed to capture the energy of a smarter and more seamless banking experience. It is bright, catchy, and full of life.
The lender said the ALAT: The Evolution jingle is more than just music, as it represents a clear statement of intent. It signals a shift towards banking that feels natural, responsive, and in tune with the user.
As customers update their app and explore ALAT: The Evolution, the jingle serves as a reminder that a better, smoother way to bank is already here. Wema Bank is not just evolving its technology; it is shaping how banking feels.
It was stated that the tune was introduced to mark the next phase of the financial institution’s digital banking journey.
Everyday banking can often feel routine or even stressful, with multiple steps and delays slowing things down. The ALAT: The Evolution jingle reimagines that experience with a lively and confident tone that mirrors the app’s capabilities.
From voice banking with SAW to Tap and Pay and bank uptime prediction, each feature is echoed in the rhythm and flow of the sound. It brings to life the speed, convenience, and reliability that define this new phase of ALAT: The Evolution.
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