Banking
Unclaimed Dividends in First Bank, 3 Other Big Banks Swell to N92.7bn
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Despite efforts by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reduce the value of unclaimed dividends in the Nigerian capital market, the amount keeps swelling every year.
A report by Daily Trust said in the first nine months of 2022, the value of unclaimed dividends in four of the five tier-one banks in the country increased by N5.6 billion.
Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, GTCO, Access Holdings, and FBN Holdings, collectively coined as ZUGAF by Business Post, are the big banks in Nigeria, accounting for about 70 per cent of the market share of the nation’s banking industry.
In the report, it was disclosed that the unclaimed dividends in the big lenders, excluding GTBank, jumped to N92.7 billion from N87 billion.
According to the platform, the unclaimed dividends in GTCO were not captured by the company did not give details of them in the third quarter earnings released in late 2022.
The figures of unclaimed dividends in Zenith Bank remained unchanged at N28.6 billion, but the uncollected cash rewards to shareholders in UBA jumped to N12.6 billion from N11.4 billion, with Access Bank growing to N36.8 billion from N34.9 billion, and First Bank rising to N14.6 billion from N11.9 billion.
Recall that as part of its determination to reduce the fallow investors’ funds, which the federal government moved to take from for running the country, SEC introduced an electronic-dividend registration, which allows companies to pay the cash reward directly into the bank accounts of shareholders.
It also mandated listed firms to promote the use of the e-dividend platform at their annual general meetings (AGMs) and others.
According to SEC, the apex regulatory agency in the country’s capital market, the total amount of unclaimed dividends as of December 31, 2021, stood at N180 billion.
Last month, the Director-General of SEC, Mr Lamido Yuguda, said the commission would rebuild the e-Dividend Management Mandate System (e-DMMS) platform to increase the number of mandated investors on the system.
“The reason why the number may not be reducing as expected is that many investors have not mandated their accounts. Dividends are now distributed electronically, so dividends go directly into the investor’s account, and if everybody mandates their accounts, there would be few unclaimed dividends in the system.
“This process is still open and can be done with the registrars, forms can be obtained from the banks, too, and it’s a very simple process. We also have on our website a tool that assists investors in determining any unclaimed dividends that they have. And I would encourage everyone to take advantage of these tools or to speak to the complaints section of the SEC directly, and we would guide that person appropriately,” he stated.
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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