Banking
Sterling HoldCo Seeks Extra Funds to Close N53bn Recapitalisation Gap
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In the coming weeks, Sterling Financial Holding Company Plc will be at the capital market to raise additional funds for its flagship banking segment, Sterling Bank.
A statement from the financial institution disclosed that investors would be wooed to close the N53 billion recapitalisation gap of Sterling Bank.
In addition, proceeds of the fresh capital raising, which would be through a public offer, would be used to further strengthen the institution’s capacity for sustained growth across its diversified income streams.
It was stated that the public offer is the first phase of the $400 million capital raising programme approved by shareholders of Sterling Holdco at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 30, 2025.
Recall that the firm concluded a successful private placement and rights issue, with about N100 billion raised, and proceeds used for the full recapitalisation of Alternative Bank and strengthening of the capital base of Sterling Bank.
In recent time, the organisation has been investing in renewable energy, healthcare, and community development, highlighting its role as a catalyst for positive change across Nigeria’s critical sectors.
The company says as it forges ahead with its plans for the second half of the year, it remains resolute in its pursuit of sustainable growth, continuous innovation, and the creation of enduring value for all stakeholders.
“As we continue to diversify our income streams and invest in operational efficiency, we remain steadfast in our commitment to responsible growth, prudent risk management, and sustainable impact.
“Looking ahead to the next phase of our capital programme, we see tremendous opportunity to deepen our footprint in Nigeria’s growth sectors and to catalyse meaningful progress for our customers, communities, and the broader economy,” the chief executive of Sterling HoldCo, Mr Yemi Odubiyi, stated.
Not too long ago, Sterling HoldCo released its financial statement for the first half of 2025 and it impressed with profit after tax of N41.8 billion, which is about 157 per cent higher than the N16.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
The gross earnings rose by 39.7 per cent to N212.6 billion from N152.2 billion in H1 2024, as the interest income increased by 38.3 per cent to N167.16 billion, and non-interest income jumped by 45 per cent to N45.45 billion, attesting to its strategic focus on revenue diversification.
“Our outstanding half-year results are the product of clear strategic focus and a relentless drive to create lasting value for our stakeholders.
“Our performance reflects not just robust growth in core income lines, but also our success in building a resilient and agile business model, capable of delivering superior returns even in a dynamic macroeconomic environment,” Mr Odubiyi noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A collaboration to enable fast money transfers into Nigeria has been entered into between Flutterwave and Xoom, PayPal’s international digital money transfer service.
The partnership allows Xoom transfers to be converted by Flutterwave and settled locally in Naira, enabling quick transfers directly into recipients’ bank accounts at Access Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, First Bank, GTBank, and additional participating banks across Nigeria.
The deal also enables Xoom’s global network with Flutterwave’s local payout infrastructure, allowing users globally to send funds directly into Nigerian bank accounts with improved speed and efficiency.
Nigeria is the leading remittance recipient in Sub-Saharan Africa, receiving over $20 billion in personal remittances in 2024. Despite this volume, receiving international payments has historically remained complex due to FX constraints and settlement delays. This collaboration helps address those challenges in a market of more than 232 million people, where the ICT sector is projected to contribute 21 per cent of GDP by 2027.
By combining Xoom’s expansive reach with Flutterwave’s local compliance and banking partnerships, the two companies are providing a more accessible financial corridor for the continent.
Xoom, a PayPal service, is a fast and secure international digital money transfer service that enables consumers to send money, pay bills, and reload phones for friends and family in approximately 160 markets globally.
As part of PayPal’s global payments ecosystem, Xoom leverages advanced fraud protection, compliance capabilities, and a trusted global network to help millions of customers move money quickly and securely across borders.
“We’re excited to have been chosen by Xoom for their Nigeria expansion. Millions of Nigerians rely on money from abroad to support everyday needs, whether it’s families receiving help from loved ones, freelancers getting paid for their work, or individuals earning income from the global economy. This helps make it easy and more reliable for people in Nigeria to receive funds and stay connected to opportunities beyond borders,” the chief executive of Flutterwave, Mr Olugbenga GB Agboola, stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
An initiative known as Nigeria Lightning Rounds, designed to expand funding opportunities for Nigerian startups and small businesses by connecting founders with local and international investors, has been launched by ProvidusUnity Bank, in partnership with US-based global venture firm and accelerator, gener8tor.
Scheduled to be held on July 15, 2026, Nigeria Lightning Rounds will feature carefully selected startups engaging with targeted investors who have expressed interest in supporting Nigerian innovation.
Participating founders will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses through focused 15-minute virtual sessions facilitated by gener8tor and ProvidusUnity Bank’s networks.
The program will focus on high-growth sectors including fintech, healthtech, manufacturing, sustainability, and AI, but welcomes SMEs from all industries, with intending participants urged to apply via https://www.gener8tor.com/lightning-rounds/nigeria.
“We recognise that access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Through our partnership with gener8tor, we are creating a platform that connects promising Nigerian founders with investors who can provide the support required to scale their businesses,” the Head of Business Development at ProvidusUnity Bank, Mr Ernest Elue, stated.
“The partnership reinforces ProvidusUnity Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting innovation, enabling access to opportunities, and creating pathways for businesses with high-growth potential,” he added.
Also commenting, the Director of Lightning Rounds at gener8tor, Ms Elizabeth Larios, said, “gener8tor is thrilled to partner with ProvidusUnity Bank to extend the Lightning Rounds model into Nigeria.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to building equitable ecosystems and driving capital to the most promising and underrepresented entrepreneurs.”
Lightning Rounds are a signature initiative of gener8tor’s investment platform, which has facilitated thousands of investor-startup meetings globally. The format is optimised to eliminate friction, reduce bias in early-stage fundraising, and help founders secure capital from investors aligned with their mission and stage. gener8tor’s previous Lightning Rounds for Nigerian Founders in 2025 featured 18 participating Investors and led to 50 investment meetings facilitated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The verification of the depositors of the 46 microfinance banks, whose operating licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over a week ago, has commenced.
The exercise, aimed at refunding those whose funds were trapped in the small lenders, is being conducted by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
In a statement on Thursday, the agency said its staff members have been positioned at the offices of the affected banks across the country to attend to depositors.
It was disclosed that depositors of the defunct banks, who had their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) linked to their accounts in the failed banks, will be paid through their alternative accounts in existing banks.
However, depositors whose BVNs were not linked to their accounts in the failed banks have been encouraged to visit the affected banks’ offices with proof of account ownership, a passport photograph, verifiable means of identification (Driver’s Licence, Permanent Voter’s Card, International Passport or National ID Card) and BVN.
NDIC also stated that depositors can alternatively file their claims online through its website: www.ndic.gov.ng, to complete the Pre-Verification Claims Form by clicking on the Search Bar, and typing Pre-Verification Claims Form; opening the Form and filling in their details. They can also do so by clicking the link: https://ndic.gov.ng/ndic-pre-verification-claims-form/ or by visiting any of the NDIC offices closest to them to file their claims.
For further enquiries, the corporation can be reached on any of the following lines: 09037273810, 09038197064, 08104220807, 09064657140.
