By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group in the United Kingdom has announced Zenith Bank Plc as Bank of the Year, Nigeria.

At the Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024 held on in London on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, it was stated that Nigerian lender clinched the award for its strong management, sound business model and strategy, and approach to sustainability and ESG banking practices.

The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, described the recognition as a “testament to the unwavering trust and loyalty of our esteemed customers, the unparalleled leadership and guidance of the board and management as well as the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

She said, “It also reflects our bank’s steadfast commitment to delivering excellent services to our customers and contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.”

“We will continue to invest in innovative technologies, expand our range of products and services, and maintain our commitment to exceptional customer service in order to sustain our position as Nigeria’s Number One Bank,” Ms Umeoji assured.

The Banker’s Bank of the Year accolade is among the most coveted and widely regarded award in the banking industry.

Often contested by the world’s leading financial institutions, the winners span across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Recall that last month, Zenith Bank commissioned its branch in Paris, France following the granting of the final approval by the country’s banking regulator, the Autorité de ContrôlePrudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR).

This is part of the bank’s global expansion strategy, and its commitment to serving clients wherever their businesses are around the world.

Zenith Bank has continued to earn numerous awards, with this latest accolade coming on the heels of several recognitions, including being the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has published some phone numbers citizens can call to report any bank that fails to give them cash over-the-counter or at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

In a circular, the banking sector regulator said cash has been made available to lenders to disburse to their customers, saying they have no reason to do so.

DMBs are directed to ensure efficient cash disbursement to customers OTC and through ATMs as the CBN will intensify its oversight roles to enforce this directive and ensure compliance,” a part of a circular signed by acting Director of Currency Operations, Solaja Mohammed Olayemi; and the acting Director for Branch Operations, Isa-Olatinwo Aisha, stated.

It encouraged members of the public who are unable to obtain cash at their banks to “report these instances using the designated reporting channels and format provided,” saying it will “assist the CBN in addressing issues hindering the availability of cash and further improve currency circulation.”

They are to reach the central bank through designated phone numbers of the CBN branch in the state where the incident occurred or via email.

According to the circular, the complaints should be sent with “the relevant details which shall include account name/name of the DMB/amount/time and date of incidents, amongst others.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has received a €2 billion loan to boost trade in Nigeria, facilitated by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a continental infrastructure solutions provider, acting as global coordinator, lead co-arranger, underwriter, bookrunner, and guarantor.

The transaction is a record global loan syndication for BOI, and marks the largest capital raise in its history, setting a new standard for developmental finance across Africa.

Proceeds of the facility will be used for general corporate purposes including to finance trade and trade-related projects of eligible corporates in Nigeria.

The facility was syndicated at two levels with AFC, Standard Chartered Bank, African Export-Import Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, FirstRand Bank Limited, acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division (London Branch), Mashreqbank PSC, SMBC Bank International PLC, Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited, Absa Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division) and Export-Import Bank of India London Branch acting as part of a senior syndicate, together raising an initial €1.43 billion.

Following this, AFC led a general syndication, through which an additional €447 million was raised, bringing the total transaction to €1.9 billion, representing an oversubscription of 87 per cent.

The facility is expected to further grow to €2 billion.

This global loan syndication is significant for Nigeria and BoI, as the institution was able to successfully tap the international capital market at a time when credit is scarce and prohibitively expensive.

According to an announcement, it highlights the market confidence in BoI and AFC as leading financial institutions, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation between African financial institutions.

“This successful syndication is a significant milestone achievement, not only for BOI but for Africa’s financial landscape as a whole. We are proud to have played a central role in this historic global loan syndication, solidifying AFC’s position as a trusted bridge between global investors and infrastructure projects in Africa,” said Mr Banji Fehintola, Executive Board member & Head of Financial Services at AFC.

“Our sincere appreciation also goes to our Joint Coordinator and partner Standard Chartered Bank and all other banks that participated in making this transaction a huge success,” he added.

“This financing, the sixth international capital raising for BOI, is the largest fundraising in our history and the largest syndication in the history of African development finance institutions. A key constant in achieving this success is the continued support of our international funding partners, including AFC.

“We are grateful for the unique role that AFC played to make this transaction a success,“ said Mr Olasupo Olusi, the Managing Director of BOI.

As part of the syndication, AFC leveraged its A3 (stable outlook) investment-grade rating, recently affirmed by Moody’s, to bring together an international consortium of financial institutions.

The transaction aligns with the corporation’s mission to provide pragmatic solutions that close the continent’s infrastructure gap, accelerate industrialisation, and enhance Africa’s economic resilience against global economic challenges.