Banking
Heritage Bank Trains ex-BB Naija Stars, Entrepreneurs on SME
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Heritage Bank Limited, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Banking Service Provider, has enhanced capacity of Ex-Housemates of Big Brother Naija reality TV show and other emerging 21st century entrepreneurs at an SME enhancement capacity training programme.
Speaking at the breakfast meeting in Lagos yesterday, Mr Ejikeme Obiano, Head, Solutions and Propositions of Heritage Bank said the bank was committed to creating, preserving and transferring wealth as a timeless wealth partner to its customers.
He said the bank sees each customer as unique and therefore designs solutions that are tailored to address each customer’s needs.
Mr Obiano also said the bank prided itself as a leader in many fronts such as the first to introduce COT free banking since it came into operation in 2013 as well as being the first to issue transparent cards and wallet sized-mobile POS.
The Head of Solutions and Propositions also remarked that the bank had put in place HB Concourse offices in Lagos, Abuja among others to enable budding entrepreneurs to access information on SME online as well as hold business meetings in a bid to reduce overhead costs at the beginning.
Some of the Ex-BBnaija Housemates that graced the event include Offiong Edet Anthony (Thin Tall Tony), Ese Eriata (Ese), Ekemini Ekerette (Kemen), CoColce Sowode (Coco-Ice), Gifty Powers, Uriel Ngozi Oputa (Uriel), Miyonse Oluwaseyi (Miyonse) and Somadina Anyama (Soma).
Also speaking, Mrs Raliat Oyetunde, a principal SME Consultant to Heritage Bank listed some key qualities that would enable budding entrepreneurs to run a successful business in the Nigerian economy.
According to her, one of the qualities that a budding entrepreneur needs to be successful is to have passion for something, adding that it is the passion that will transform that thing to cash.
Mrs Oyetunde who also doubles as the CEO of Prinsult Global noted that another quality that an emerging entrepreneur needs to overcome the fear of competition is the ability to disrupt the ecosystem.
She advised the participants that they should be able to determine the need of their target audience so that they can channel their production towards meeting such needs. The SME consultant explained that the need of the customers must tally with the idea of the business promoter for the two to strike a balance.
Other qualities, she listed, include identifying a box, that is focused area; idea generation, business model canvass (identifying customer segment you want to appeal to), value proposition, identify channels to be used, customer relationship, key activities, resources and partners, cost structure, building capacity, access to market, mentorship, funding, business registration as well as network opportunities to market the business among others.
Heritage Bank is one of the sponsors of the on-going BB Naija reality show which Katung Aduwak, the first winner of Big Brother Nigeria, said was designed by its creators to attract controversies and create agenda for social discussions.
Beside this, Heritage Bank had earlier promoted Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to the global community through the on-going Big Brother Naija.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the old and new Naira notes will continue to be used for financial transactions in the country beyond December 31, 2024.
There had been rumours that the old and redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes would no longer be legal tender from Wednesday, January 1, 2025, because the central bank would phase out the notes in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement of November 29, 2023.
But the apex bank, in a statement signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Ali, on Friday, clarified that the apex court’s judgement being cited did not authorise the bank to phase out the banknotes by the end of this year.
According to her, the court allowed the CBN to leave the old and new notes to be used concurrently until it decides to gradually phase out the former.
The central bank’s spokesperson urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.
She urged them to continue to accept all Naira notes for daily transactions, encouraging banks to also adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.
“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines,” the statement noted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.
The deal for the 24-year-old South African lender is due to be completed in the second half of 2025, upon regulatory approval.
This shows Access Bank’s further expansion plans in line with goals set by its late founder, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
The agreement to acquire 100 percent stake in Bidvest Bank reflects Access Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies.
Bidvest Bank, founded in 2000 is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.
As of its year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent of $665million and audited profit before tax of $20million.
Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.
This is coming just as the bank opened a new branch in Malta as part of efforts to focus on international trade finance after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
The Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 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