Banking
Gupta Takes Over Diamond Bank UK, Changes Name to CTB
By Dipo Olowookere
Indian-born British businessman, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, has completed the acquisition of United Kingdom subsidiary of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Business Post has confirmed.
The Diamond Bank UK was sold by the parent company in Nigeria before its merger with Access Bank Plc in March 2019.
As the new owner of Diamond Bank, Business Post reliably gathered that Mr Gupta will change the name of his newly acquired bank to Commonwealth Trade Bank (CTB).
It was learned that the businessman acquired the financial institution as part of a strategy to help UK businesses trade internationally, especially with emerging and Commonwealth markets.
The Commonwealth Trade Bank is expected to add significantly to the financial services offering within Mr Gupta’s global GFG Alliance, comprising metals, industrials, energy, finance and property businesses.
The CTB will facilitate greater international trade with countries such as Australia and India, giving customers the attention and support they need to unlock value within their businesses, we gathered.
Also, the new lender will offer a core range of trade solutions including receivables, inventory and supply chain finance, letters of credit discounting, and trade and documentary services associated with trade finance.
The Change in Control for the bank follows the granting of approval for the acquisition by the Prudential Regulation Authority.
As a regulated entity, the Commonwealth Trade Bank will be owned, governed and operated independently of Mr Gupta’s other businesses.
The banks specific expertise in emerging and Commonwealth markets will complement the role of Wyelands Bank, Mr Gupta’s other bank in the UK focused on working capital solutions for both domestic and global industrial companies, which was purchased by Mr Gupta in 2016. Both banks will operate independently.
Mr Gupta, founder and executive chairman of GFG Alliance, said The CTB will be a highly valuable partner for Britain’s dynamic and ambitious companies that are looking to export their goods and services to some of the highest growth markets around the world like Australia and India.
“This is an exciting time for British businesses, with many new opportunities opening up in emerging and Commonwealth markets. By helping businesses to capitalise on these opportunities and expand their global footprint, I believe the Commonwealth Trade Bank will play a significant role in expanding trade worldwide.
“Finance is the life blood of our economy and there is a clear gap in the market to provide accessible finance and bespoke solutions to facilitate greater trade flows.
“Utilising its global networks, breadth of experience and specialist expertise in emerging and Commonwealth economies, and adopting latest technological solutions, this bank will aim to become a leader among financial institutions globally that provide international trade finance. GFG companies have a long history of trade within the Commonwealth and we hope to use that experience to design a British bank focused on helping UK companies to access exciting new opportunities in a post-Brexit world.
“We are very excited to have been given the privilege of acquiring two of Britain’s banks in this coveted market. We will build on the success of Wyelands Bank and will make CTB a great champion also,” Mr Gupta said.
The bank’s chief executive, Mr Peter Horton, said, “Were looking forward to a bright future as a new, independent, entity.
“We will focus on making it easier for businesses, to trade internationally. We will take the time to understand their needs so we can tailor workable solutions that will enable them to make the most of existing value within their business.
“We will also invest significantly in our people and in latest technology so we can do more to empower businesses to trade internationally.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Tech enthusiasts interested in participating in the Take on Squad Hackathon, organised by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, can now enter the contest via the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
The programme enters its third edition in 2026, and the theme for this year is Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy, according to a statement issued by the organisers.
The hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors, including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion.
Participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
It is part of the organisation’s commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
“Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve.
“Through Take on Squad Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future.
“Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact.
“This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress,” the Managing Director of HabariPay, Ms Eduofon Japhet, stated.
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
By Dipo Olowookere
Banking services will not be interrupted throughout the Easter public holidays, from Friday, April 3, to Monday, April 6, 2026, for any reason, Ecobank Nigeria has assured its customers.
In a message over the weekend, the member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, said customers would continue to enjoy quality service delivery during the period.
It noted that its secure and robust digital platforms would remain fully operational to support financial activities during the festive period.
All digital channels, including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point agent locations nationwide, will remain accessible throughout the holiday, the financial institution further said, urging customers to conveniently conduct transactions at any time using this wide range of digital solutions.
Ecobank customers were encouraged to maximise the bank’s alternative channels for transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, card services, and account management.
They were also advised to stay vigilant by shopping only on trusted websites; avoiding the sharing of PINs, passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs); refraining from banking on public Wi-Fi networks; being cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages; and regularly monitoring their account activity.
“Customers will continue to enjoy a full bouquet of services during the holiday, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments, airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance enquiries, account statements, and cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs,” the Head of Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Victor Yalokwu, stated.
“We understand that festive seasons come with increased financial activity, and our priority is to ensure our customers enjoy fast, reliable, and secure banking wherever they are.
“Our digital channels are designed to support uninterrupted transactions, and we have strengthened our systems to guarantee optimal performance throughout the Easter break,” he added.
Mr Yalokwu noted that, “Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service. We wish all our customers and partners a peaceful and joyful Easter celebration.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Customers may have difficulty accessing the digital platform of Polaris Bank, known as VULTe, during the Easter holidays from Friday, April 3, to Monday, April 6, 2026.
This is because the financial institution is carrying out system maintenance on the platform in its effort to ensure users enjoy a better banking experience.
In a notice over the weekend, the lender said “access to VULTe may be limited,” but it provided an alternative, which is the PolarisXperience.
Polaris Bank, which expressed regret over “any inconvenience” this action may cause its customers, said the “scheduled system maintenance” would happen from 10 pm to 8 am daily, promising that normal service would return after the maintenance.
“In continuation of our commitment to delivering a seamless and improved banking experience, we will be conducting a scheduled system maintenance during the Easter holidays.
“During this period, access to VULTe may be limited. We have provided an alternative channel, PolarisXperience:
“Please go to our website to onboard or use it as an existing user. You can also use this link: (https://elogin.polarisbanklimited.com).
“We regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Normal service will resume after the maintenance,” parts of the notice seen by Business Post read.
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