By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Over N500 million has been disbursed to small-scale traders and shop owners across Nigeria by Unity Bank Plc.

This is part of the financial institution’s efforts to promote SMEs and strengthen support for operators in the informal sector.

The funding support was given to beneficiaries through Unity Bank’s innovative loan product known as Shop Collateralised Facility (SHOCOF).

The package was designed to significantly improve access to financing, and further drive financial inclusion.

Originally introduced as a targeted intervention for traders in Southeast Nigeria, SHOCOF quickly gained traction and broad acceptance for its flexibility and tailored structure, prompting the Bank to expand the product nationwide.

Under the initiative, eligible customers can use their shops as collateral to access financing. The product simplifies access to credit by leveraging the commercial value and stability associated with fixed business locations, enabling traders to secure funds without the stringent collateral requirements associated with traditional lending structures.

The facility provides working capital support that enables beneficiaries to restock goods, increase inventory turnover, improve cash flow, and respond more effectively to market demand.

Recent reports indicate that more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s small businesses operate informally, with many relying on personal savings and informal borrowing channels due to limited access to Bank credit. SHOCOF was developed to bridge this gap through a lending model tailored to the realities of market traders and small shop owners.

Speaking on the impact of the product, the Group Head, Risk Management, Unity Bank, Mr Olusegun Oladipo, said the Bank recognised the need for financing solutions aligned with the realities of informal sector businesses.

“SHOCOF was created to address a critical gap within the small business ecosystem by providing access to credit through a structure that traders can satisfactorily meet without much ado,” Mr Oladipo said.

“By recognising the value and stability embedded in their businesses, we have been able to support traders with the capital required to sustain and grow their operations,” he added.

Also commenting, the Divisional Head of SME and Retail Banking at Unity Bank, Ms Adenike Abimbola, said the nationwide adoption of the product reflects proper market segmentation to meet the growing demand for accessible financing among small business owners.

“What started as a targeted intervention in the Southeast, which quickly gained momentum because the product directly addressed the realities of everyday traders,” Ms Abimbola said.

Over the years, Unity Bank has continued to introduce targeted solutions aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, including its flagship Yanga account package developed to support female entrepreneurs.

The lender reaffirmed that expanding access to capital for underserved business segments remains critical to boosting trade, strengthening local economies, and driving sustainable economic growth.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The banking segment of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank, is making home ownership in Nigeria seamless.

In partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF), the lender is offering Nigerians highly attractive terms, including a fixed interest rate of 9.75 per cent, providing up to N100 million, with a flexible repayment period of up to 20 years. These features are well-suited to both consistent professional incomes and business owners.

The aim is to help professionals, entrepreneurs, and married couples in the country and the diaspora achieve homeownership with greater ease and confidence.

In a market where housing supply significantly lags demand and traditional mortgage penetration remains low, Stanbic IBTC Bank is enabling more eligible Nigerians with the financial capacity to take the important step toward ownership. The financial institution focuses on removing common barriers through clear processes and dedicated support.

Clients benefit from Stanbic IBTC’s comprehensive range of services, which covers pre-qualification, documentation support (including mixed-income scenarios), digital verification, and clear communication throughout.

Many applications are now progressing smoothly, with completion within three to four weeks, subject to the provision of required documents. This practical approach has made the process far more accessible for Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora.

As more professionals secure homes in high-growth areas, couples build family stability, and entrepreneurs expand their asset base, the positive impact is becoming increasingly visible.

Stanbic IBTC Bank’s consistent focus on transparency, efficiency, and client support is helping to make homeownership a realistic and rewarding choice for more Nigerians ready to build long-term wealth.

The company has achieved notable successes through the MREIF scheme, with many clients completing seamless ownership transitions, securing properties in strategic locations, and effectively converting rental expenses into valuable equity-building assets.

Interested individuals have been encouraged to explore this established offering by visiting the dedicated MREIF Home Loans page at https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/mrief or contacting the nearest Stanbic IBTC Bank branch to begin the journey toward homeownership.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The non-payment of dividends for the year ended December 31, 2025, by Access Holdings Plc has continued to generate reactions from shareholders and others.

The company, in a statement made available to Business Post on Thursday, explained that the cash reward was not given to investors in the fiscal year because it could not get the regulatory clearance.

It dismissed insinuations that the decision not to pay shareholders a dividend was due to weak performance in the period under review.

Last year, Access Holdings delivered a resilient and diversified performance, underscoring its capacity to generate sustainable shareholder returns.

Gross earnings grew by 13.3 per cent to N5.53 trillion, supported by strong growth in net interest income and a 40.9 per cent increase in fees and commissions to N585.07 billion.

Profit before tax rose by 16.2 per cent to N1.01 trillion, while total assets expanded by 24.2 per cent to N51.56 trillion, reflecting scale accretion and the successful integration of recently acquired subsidiaries.

Its cost-to-income ratio improved significantly from 56.7 per cent to 51.7 per cent, driven by disciplined cost management and operating leverage. Capital adequacy remained strong at 18.2 per cent at the holding company level, while the banking subsidiary ended the year with a capital adequacy ratio of 20.2 per cent.

Shareholders would have thought something would drop into their bank accounts, but Access Holdings did not pay a cash reward despite recommending this.

“Access Holdings has a strong history of consistent dividend payments, and rewarding shareholders remains a core priority for the Board and Management. The non-payment of dividend for 2025 was not due to earnings weakness or cash flow constraints, but an alignment with regulatory and prudential guidelines,” the chief executive of Access Holdings, Mr Innocent Ike, was quoted as saying in the statement.

“Our performance in 2025 demonstrates the strength of the franchise and its capacity to generate value for shareholders. Our focus is to ensure that shareholder distributions resume on a sustainable basis once all regulatory conditions are satisfied and the required approvals are obtained,” Mr Ike added.

It was explained that while dividends were recommended at both the half-year and full-year in 2025, regulatory approvals were not obtained. At the half-year stage, the constraint related to Section 7.1 of the CBN Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies, which has since been fully resolved following the successful completion of an approved private placement.

At full year, an additional matter arose under Section 19(8)(c) of BOFIA, which places limits on investments in foreign banking subsidiaries relative to shareholders’ funds. The group has been granted a twelve-month window to fully remediate this position. The company noted it will partially divest from some banking subsidiaries but will still retain its super majority shareholding.

According to Mr Ike, “Maintaining the confidence of our regulators, depositors and stakeholders is fundamental to our operating philosophy. In line with our long-standing culture of prudence and sound governance, the Board remains committed to balance sheet strength and capital resilience, as the basis for sustainable shareholder distributions.”

However, the organisation reassured stakeholders that it remains committed to engaging constructively with all relevant stakeholders to address the matters raised and achieve alignment with applicable requirements within the stipulated timeline.

Reaffirming management’s confidence, Mr Ike stated: “We remain actively engaged with the investment community and focused on resolving the matters raised within the prescribed timeline. Our priority remains delivering sustainable long-term value to shareholders through stronger execution, improved financial performance and disciplined growth. Subject to the successful conclusion of this process and the necessary approvals, our objective is to restore dividend payments on a sustainable basis.”

Concluding, he said, “Access Holdings is uniquely positioned to leverage its scale, geographic diversification and strong franchise to deliver resilient earnings growth, stronger returns and enhanced long-term shareholder value.”