Banking
First Bank Restructures 15% of N1.8trn Loans as NPL Falls to 8.8%
By Dipo Olowookere
In the first six months of 2020, FBN Holdings Plc said it restructured 15 per cent of its total loan size of N1.8 trillion to minimise vulnerability.
The company made this disclosure at an analyst’ call on Monday, adding that it now has limited exposure to sectors mostly affected by COVID-19.
During the call also witnessed by Business Post, the company, which promised to increase its loans to the real sector of the economy, stated that in the first three months of this year, it restructured 6.0 per cent of its lending to customers.
The year 2020 has been under the control of coronavirus disease, causing many businesses to shut down or reduce their workforce, while the global economy has not been spared.
In Nigeria, some businesses are finding it hard to pick up and to make things easier for them, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has allowed those who borrowed from banks to restructure their repayment plans.
In June 2020, Business Post reported that 32.94 per cent of the total loan portfolio of the banking industry in Nigeria may good bad with borrowers unable to repay the credit facilities as at when due.
At a Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN, the Deputy Governor of the bank in charge of Financial System Surveillance, Ms Aisha Ahmed, had raised an alarm that 17 banks had submitted requests to restructure about 32,000 loans amounting to several billions of Naira going bad because of the current situation, noting that the non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio stood at 6.6 per cent at end April 2020, compared with 11.0 per cent at end April 2019.
“As at end-May 2020, staff reports indicate that 17 banks submitted requests to restructure over 32 thousand loans for individuals and businesses impacted by the pandemic, representing 32.94 per cent of the total industry loan portfolio, with the manufacturing and general commerce sectors constituting the bulk of the restructured facilities,” she had said.
During yesterday’s conference call, First Bank said it was actively pursuing recoveries on loans written-off, noting that it was also rebalancing its loan portfolio by extending advances to the real sectors of the economy such as manufacturing, trade, retail/consumer and Agric & Agro-allied sectors, including telecommunications.
At the moment, 19.8 per cent of the lender’s total loan book of N1.759 trillion is in the manufacturing sector (versus 16.5 per cent in H1 2019), while the oil/gas upstream has 17.2 per cent (17.9 in H1’19), with oil/gas downstream controlling 8.7 per cent (8.6 per cent in H1 2019) and oil/gas services having 7.9 per cent (7.8 per cent in H1 2019).
Further analysis of the First Bank’s N1.8 trillion loans showed that 51.0 per cent are in local currencies, while 49.0 per cent account for foreign currencies; though the firm said it plans to increase local lending.
It was also observed that 50.4 per cent of the loans are maturing in one year, while those maturing between 1 and 3 years account for 28.0 per cent, with 3 to 5 years accounting for 6.4 per cent and above five years accounting for 15.2 per cent.
In the first half of the year, First Bank has reduced its NPL ratio to 8.8 per cent from 9.9 per cent it was in the 2019 full year.
A breakdown showed that much of the NPLs are in the agriculture sector, accounting for 14.8 per cent. The manufacturing segment has an NPL of 4.4 per cent, real estate has 11.2 per cent, oil/gas upstream has 6.0 per cent, oil/gas downstream controls 5.5 per cent, while others have 11.3 per cent.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn