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NDIC Begins Payment of Liquidation Dividends to Alpha Merchant Bank Shareholders

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Alpha Merchant Bank NDIC

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Shareholders of Alpha Merchant Bank Plc (in-liquidation) have been urged to come forward to proofs to verify their status in order to get paid liquidation dividends.

The affected investors are required to visit the offices of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the official liquidator, across the 10 designated centres in the country.

A notice by NDIC disclosed that arrangements have been finalised for the payment of the “liquidation dividends to eligible shareholders of the bank with effect from February 3, 2020.”

It said in a notice that, “Accordingly, all persons listed as shareholders in the register of the bank (in-liquidation) should file their proof of claim with the liquidator, as NOTICE is hereby given that liquidation dividend is intended to be declared for eligible shareholders.”

In the disclosure dated January 24, 2020 and signed by the Director of Claims Resolution Department, it was also stressed that, “Liquidation dividends will continue to be declared to shareholders as and when assets of the closed banks are realized by the corporation.”

Business Post gathered that Alpha Merchant Bank, which had Mr Jimi Lawal as its Managing Director, commenced operations on June 6, 1988 with a seven-member board and a issued share capital of N6 million, which increased to N15 million in August 1989 through bonus issue to all shareholders, which.

However, the lender got into trouble as a result of ownership and control crisis, especially the mode of payment of the initial paid-up capital of N6 million by some shareholders.

The ownership and control crisis polarised the board to the extent that it could not operate as a team. Board oversight of management was very weak while the management was accused of withholding vital information from the board, engaging in unprofessional and unethical practices as well as dissipation of the bank’s resources.

According to what Business Post gathered, one of the main issues was the acquisition of Banque Internationale Pour L’ Afrique Occidental (BIAO) shares in the defunct Afribank Nigeria Plc.

Some of the aggrieved directors of Alpha Merchant Bank claimed others on the board used the sum of $16 million of bank’s fund to acquire Afribank shares for their personal benefit and a petition was filed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to look into the matter.

Also, the bank’s public offer of 50 million shares in May 1992 generated a controversy, which warranted regulatory intervention.

Others who waded into the management crisis of the defunct financial institutions were the late HID Awolowo and the present Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

Below are NDIC offices shareholders of the defunct Alpha Merchant Bank Plc can go for verfication

NDIC Alpha Merchant Bank

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Banking

CBN Insists Old, New Naira Notes Remain Valid Beyond December 31

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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.

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Access Bank to Acquire 100% Equity in South Africa’s Bidvest

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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.

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Access Bank Opens Branch in Malta to Strengthen Europe-Africa Trade Ties

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Musicians Access Bank Opebi

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.”

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