Banking
Stanbic IBTC Takes Mobile ATM to Ibadan School to Deepen Financial Knowledge
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading lenders in the country, Stanbic IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has raised the bar in financial literacy education while commemorating this year’s Financial Literacy Day 2018 as part of activities lined up to mark the Global Money Week 12 – 18 March, 2018.
The bank moved the full apparatus of its mobile ATM van from Lagos to Ibadan Grammar School, one of the 31 allocated schools across the country where senior executives of the bank including its chief executive made presentations to students on financial literacy.
Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr Demola Sogunle, while making a presentation entitled ‘Money Matters, Matter’ at Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan, Oyo State, stated that exhibiting exemplary financial discipline and independence as adults can only be possible if students and young adults inculcate the indispensable fundamentals in financial knowledge while still in the mouldable stage of life.
He said the importance of financial literacy cannot be overemphasised and went further to advise the students on the need to have a good understanding of basic money management skills such as living within a budget and to always define and differentiate their needs and their wants, which undoubtedly will put them in good stead for better management of finances and future success.
The session touched on topics like how to start saving, benefits of saving, knowledge and planning skills. Some of the students who answered questions correctly during the question and answer session were presented with different ranges of prizes.
Amongst them were 10 lucky students who received Automated Teller Machine (ATM) enabled Stanbic IBTC Gift Cards preloaded with cash and who experienced first-hand financial service offered by the bank through the instant activation of their cards and made cash withdrawals on Stanbic IBTC Bank mobile ATM van.
“This initiative is meant to positively impact the lives of these students as what you experience and feel for yourself as compared to what you are told often stay with you for a lifetime and you tend to continue to relive those moments.
“Many of these children see bank ATMs located across the city but have never operated one, so the mobile ATM van here on ground gives them a rare opportunity to experience financial service.
“More importantly, we recognise that practical knowledge always outweighs theoretical knowledge,” he stated, adding, “Our intention is to equip these students to be able to make smarter, more informed decisions than the generations before them. The knowledge that we have impacted in them today will surely place them ahead in the learning curve.”
In his remarks, principal of the senior school, Mr Oyeade Francis Ajani, commended Stanbic IBTC for going far and above the basic requirements for the Financial Literacy Day in organising what he described as the best the school has hosted, describing it as a priceless gesture.
“We need more corporate organizations to follow the lead of Stanbic IBTC Bank and if possible raise the standard set by the bank. We are optimistic that the knowledge impacted today will stay with the students through their lives,” he said.
The Financial Literacy Day is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at encouraging children and young adults in junior and senior secondary schools understand quite early in life the rudiments of money and its uses.
Stanbic IBTC Bank is a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, a full-service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.
Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belongs, is the largest African bank by assets and market capitalization. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent, including South Africa.
Standard Bank has been in operation for over 154 years and is focused on building first-class, on-the-ground financial services organizations in chosen countries in Africa and connecting other selected emerging markets to Africa and to each other, applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, globally.
Banking
Shettima Promises to be “Chief Promoter” of Moniepoint
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, has expressed his delight over the unicorn status attained by Moniepoint Incorporated in October 2024 after it secured a $110 million funding package from Google.
Speaking when the company paid a courtesy visit to him at the Presidential Villa recently, the VP said he was happy with the growth trajectory of the financial technology (fintech) company, charging the team not to rest on its oars.
He promised to be the “chief promoter” of Moniepoint because the firm has become the pride of the country and must be supported by all.
Mr Shettima urged the company to continue expanding its global footprint, referencing his ongoing support for similar initiatives such as Amal Hassan’s Outsource to Nigeria project.
The Vice President described Moniepoint as a “kaleidoscope of colours” because of the diversity of its team, saying it reflects the beauty of Nigeria’s multicultural and multi-regional identity.
He was particularly pleased with the inclusion of individuals from various regions and backgrounds, including a notable representation of women in leadership and operational roles.
However, he charged the organisation and others to ensure stronger auditing measures to prevent misuse of the platform, especially by fraudsters and criminal elements, tasking them to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing these challenges.
Earlier, the chief executive of Moniepoint, Mr Tosin Eniolorunda, thanked the federal government for its dedication to digital innovation and financial inclusion.
He emphasized Moniepoint’s commitment to Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, stating that the fintech giant has grown into Africa’s latest unicorn this year, a testament to its resilience and innovation.
“At Moniepoint, we are big believers in driving collaborations across the entire eco-system and this is premised on collaboration being the cornerstone of progress.
“Our engagement here underscores our intentionality to enhance government business relationships in a way that powers the dreams of millions of many more Nigerians.
“Together, we can unlock opportunities, transform lives, and build a more inclusive economy for all,” Mr Eniolorunda, who led the team comprising the Managing Director of Moniepoint Microfinance Bank, Mr Babatunde Olofin; the Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Moniepoint, Didi Uwemakpan; the SVP for Investor Relations and M&A, Ross Strike; the Head of Partnerships, Efemena Ogie; the Regional Manager for North West, Abdulmumin Tijjani; and the Partner at Lightrock Global, Ravi Sharma, said.
Banking
FX Trading: CBN Sets $100,000 Minimum Trade for Banks on EFEMS
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria has set a minimum trade value of $100,000 for interbank foreign exchange trading via the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which is set to go live on December 2.
This was contained in a new directive dated November 25, 2024, and signed by CBN’s Director of the Financial Markets Department, Mrs Omolara Duke.
The circular also noted that the development is part of efforts to ensure transparency, efficiency, and compliance within Nigeria’s FX market.
The EFEMS is designed to streamline interbank FX trading, reduce counterparty risks, and ensure adherence to CBN regulations.
The statement also said CBN has designated Bloomberg’s BMatch as the official order-matching platform for interbank transactions, with trading hours set between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm West Africa Time on business days.
The apex bank also said the $100,000 minimum tradable amount comes with incremental clip sizes of $50,000.
The EFEMS is also limited to spot FX transactions involving the Nigerian Naira and the United States Dollar. This means transactions occur “on the spot” or close to the trade date.
The CBN, however, retained the discretion to introduce other currency pairs when deemed necessary.
The guidelines document read, “All trades consummated on EFEMS are binding unless cancelled by mutual agreement of both parties with written approval from the CBN.
“The minimum tradable amount is US$100,000.00, with incremental clip sizes of US$50,000.00.
“Participants must set credit and settlement limits for other counterparties in the system. Transactions exceeding these limits will not be executed.
“Participants must have adequate credit and settlement limits set for the CBN as its counterparty bank.
“Participants are required to comply with the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Code and other CBN regulations.”
The apex bank noted that participation in the EFEMS is limited to authorised dealer banks while other institutions wishing to join the platform must first obtain prior approval.
These entities are also required to execute agreements with the CBN-approved platform provider, maintain accurate profiles, and operate within prescribed credit and settlement limits.
Withdrawal from the platform must be preceded by a 30-day notice, along with the resolution of any outstanding obligations.
Also, trades conducted via the platform will remain anonymous until matched. Counterparty details will only be revealed once transactions are concluded and are in line with settlement protocols.
Transactions exceeding set limits or conducted outside EFEMS parameters must be reported promptly and logged onto the FX blotter within 10 minutes.
The CBN emphasised that it will closely monitor all transactions on EFEMS to ensure market integrity and transparency.
Participants are also required to submit daily reports detailing trade volumes, settlement statuses, and counterparties.
The CBN discloses that it also reserves the right to publish aggregated or disaggregated trade data for market analysis, subject to confidentiality agreements.
Any violations of the EFEMS guidelines or related regulations will attract strict penalties, including the suspension or revocation of access rights.
The CBN further stated that it will periodically review the platform’s operations to ensure efficiency and compliance with its directives.
Banking
No Need to Worry, Your Funds Safe With us—Access Bank Assures Customers
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Access Bank Plc has assured customers that their funds are safe with the company, stressing that there’s nothing to worry about.
The lender gave this assurance in reaction to a video making the rounds on social media that about N500 million belonging to a customer was missing.
The financial institution described this allegation as “baseless,” denying any involvement in “any unethical behaviour.”
“Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media wherein allegations of missing funds and unethical behaviour have been made against Access Bank PLC.
“First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities which we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour.
“In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the Bank are most untrue and baseless.
“There is no N500 million or any other fund or amount missing from the subject customer’s account or any other customer’s account with us.
“We and other independent stakeholders in the banking industry have thoroughly investigated these allegations and independently arrived at the same conclusions.
“Access Bank PLC operates with the highest ethical standards, and we protect our customers’ interests whilst also respecting privacy laws.
“Consequently, whilst we have engaged and will continue to engage with our customers, we must advise the public not to rely on or believe sensational and unverified claims that are designed to titillate and mislead the public,” a statement from the firm stated.
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