Banking
Skye Bank to Produce More Millionaires in Reward Scheme
By Dipo Olowookere
Skye Bank is again set to make more millionaires out of Nigerians in its repackaged ‘Reach For The Skye Millionaire’ reward, Season II.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the bank.
The Season II, which officially kicked off in January 2017, promises to deliver more benefits to the public compared to Season 1 of the scheme, which changed many lives and made over 36 millionaires of many erstwhile ordinary Nigerians across various segments of the economy.
Speaking about the scheme, the bank’s Executive Director, Retail and Lagos Commercial Banking, Mrs Markie Idowu, said that the scheme is intended to give back to customers and encourage savings among Nigerians.
She noted that the last season made 36 millionaires, and stressed that the scheme is not to reward the elite, but for everyone, irrespective of social status.
In addition, Mrs Idowu thanked past winners from season 1 and said the bank looks forward to producing more millionaires in the season II.
Also speaking at the launch, the bank’s Group Head of Retail Banking, Mr Ndubuisi Osakwe, gave details of the reward scheme and noted that the scheme is in recognition of the support of customers; and seeks to create several millionaires.
He noted that “the bank will also seek to continue to nurture winners and migrate them to other areas of banking products that will help them build their wealth; ensuring that the under banked and unbanked find the propositions of banking services more attractive and convenient.”
Mr Osakwe further stressed that, “The reward scheme will provide an opportunity for prospective customers of the bank to take the bold step of patronizing our numerous cost-saving products and solutions, emphasizing that “you can only save your way out of poverty”.
On the mechanics of the scheme, Mr Osakwe explained that customers who make a deposit or reactivate their accounts with N10,000 (and its multiples), and maintain same for a period of 30 days, stand a chance of becoming millionaires every month.
He added that consolation cash prizes include: N100,000 for 10 winners, N50,000 for 10 winners and N20,000 for 20 winners. Each month, more than 41 customers will be rewarded by the bank with the first 200 customers to reactivate their dormant accounts credited airtime worth of N500 within 48 hours and encouraged everyone to spread the good news.
In his testimonial, Mr Bashiru Adeyemi, an account holder with City Hall branch and one of the winners in season 1, said: “I am a pensioner resident in Lagos Island. When I heard the news that I won 1 million naira, I did not believe. It was like a joke to me. I am grateful to Skye Bank. The money came in handy as I used it to complete my house project.”
Also Mr Saheed Owolabi, an Electrician and a customer of Ajose Adeogun branch of the Bank in Lagos shared his experience: “The one million naira helped me a lot as I used it to secure 40 million naira worth of job in a building project in Lekki, Lagos.
It will be recalled that civil servants, legal practitioners, business owners, students, commercial bus drivers, Immigration Boss, among others were part of the beneficiaries of the Season 1 of the highly celebrated reward scheme which saw the Bank rewarding a total of 204 individuals – 36 Millionaires, 48 winners of N250,000 each and 120 winners of N100,000 each. The reward scheme is now improved and re-packaged for its Season II which promises to reward more customers every month.
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.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have announced a new partnership with African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria to support the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, a joint programme launched in 2008 to provide access to capital and training for women entrepreneurs globally.
The two Nigerian banks are part of nine financial institutions from across Africa which have agreed to join the 10,000 Women initiative committing to leverage the business education and skills tools the programme provides to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent by providing access to business education.
Others banks include Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire, Equity Bank Group, Banco Millenium Atlantico – Angola, Baobab Group, and Orange Bank.
Speaking on this, Ms Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs said – “10,000 Women has had a powerful impact to date, but we know that there are more women to reach and more potential to be realized.
“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa, and mainstream lending to female business leaders. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital that they need to scale.”
Since 2008, the 10,000 Women initiative has provided access to capital and business training to more than 200,000 women in 150 countries.
“This expanded initiative marks a significant step forward in creating equitable economic opportunities for women in Africa, enabling them to build stronger, more resilient businesses and to realize their entrepreneurial goals,” said Ms Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion.
Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative complements the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), launched in 2014 by Goldman Sachs and IFC as the first-of-its-kind global facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
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