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VIDEO: GICN Apologises to GTBank, Retracts Corruption Allegations

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Edward Omaga GICN Apologises to GTBank

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A civil society organisation, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has apologised to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Limited, a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, for making false corruption allegations against the bank.

In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja on Tuesday, signed by President of the organisation, Mr Edward Omaga, the group also retracted allegations of corruption and unwholesome activities made in a Private Investigation Report (PIR) against the lender.

Mr Omaga noted that he presented the PIR to the media on October 3, 2024, and later submitted same to certain agencies in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ghana for further action.

He said the documents relied upon to compile the PIR were obtained from the internet, were baseless, and do not depict the true state of affairs about GTBank Limited and its management.

“In other words, the position taken by Global Integrity Crusade Network in the PIR was misguided. It has become clear that Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, its management and the entire GTCO brand are not under any financial or regulatory scrutiny in Nigeria or abroad as alleged.

“The issues raised about Unsolicited Accounts Opening for customers were unnecessary, as the bank operates in line with the highest standards of compliance and due process, whilst preventing the breach of data privacy laws,” he said.

On the issue of profit declaration for the period ended June 30, 2024, Mr Omaga stated that records abound to show that GTBank Limited fully complied with the applicable legal requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) as well as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“It was therefore not appropriate for GICN to query the Audited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended June 30, 2024, released by GTCO Plc to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE).

“In the same vein, the corporate image and integrity of GTB Limited remains intact in foreign countries where it carries on business.

“The financial penalties paid in the United Kingdom by Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited coupled with the suspension of its Foreign Exchange Trading License in Ghana were minor regulatory issues, which have been sorted out long time ago.

“The group wishes to sincerely apologize through this medium for misleading the public towards having any negative perception about GTBank Limited.

“Specifically, GICN implores Mr. Segun Julius Agbaje, being the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, to forgive its shortcomings and consider the group as a partner in the sustained drive of the bank to provide quality financial services across Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

“In keeping with its resolve to set the records straight, the group had on Thursday, February 27, 2025, written to withdraw the PIR and all court cases relating to this matter,” he added.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Banking

Access Bank Begins N194bn Commercial Paper Sales

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Access Bank Access Tower

By Dipo Olowookere

One of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc, has commenced the sale of commercial paper worth N194 billion under its N400 billion commercial paper programme.

Access Bank, one of the subsidiaries of a financial services provider, Access Holdings Plc, currently trades its equities at the NASD OTC Securities Exchange, with its share price closing flat at N19.30 per unit on Thursday.

Subscription for the debt instrument began on Wednesday, March 20, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

The lender is offering the commercial paper for sale in two tenors; 180 days and 270 days, according to details of the exercise obtained by Business Post.

It is selling the six-month maturity at a discounted rate of 19.44 per cent and the nine-month tenor at 20.92 per cent. The minimum subscription is N5 million and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

Access Bank combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities.

The lender was the first deposit money bank (DMB) in the country to meet the N500 billion minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for banks with international operations, with its share capital exceeding N600 billion.

The bank has been acquiring different financial institutions outside the country, including in South Africa, as part of its expansion drive.

It operates commercial banking services through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers spread across Africa, Europe and Asia.

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Banking

Fidelity Bank GAIM 6 Promo Produces 20 Additional Millionaires

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fidelity bank gaim 6 promo

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

No fewer than 20 fresh millionaires have emerged in the Fidelity Bank Plc Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo.

They winners were picked at the second and third monthly draws of the financial institution held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.

The events were monitored by the representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, including the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Mrs Aboluwade Margaret; and the Principal Legal Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu.

A statement from the lender disclosed that the 20 lucky winners were randomly selected through an electronic draw across Lagos, North, Abuja, South-West, South-South, and South-East zones and would be rewarded with N1 million each.

The Fidelity Bank GAIM campaign was launched in November 2024 and about N19.75 million has been won by 869 customers across different categories.

The GAIM 6 campaign, which will run until August 2025, is set to reward lucky customers with a total of N159 million.

Speaking at the draws, the promo Chairperson and Executive Director for Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank, Dr Ken Opara, noted that the GAIM 6 promo was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, encourage a savings culture, and promote financial inclusion across the country.

Dr Opara, represented by the Regional Bank Head for Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, said, “Fidelity Bank is dedicated to the financial well-being of our customers and this commitment inspired the launch of the GAIM Promo, designed to cultivate a strong culture of savings.

“Through this promo, customers have the chance to win substantial cash prizes up to N10 million by saving and transacting with their Fidelity Bank Savings accounts.

“In addition to the monetary rewards, winners will receive complimentary financial advisory services to secure and grow their wealth for the future.”

Fidelity Bank, ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

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Banking

Rand Merchant Bank Adopts Kachasi to Strengthen Trade Finance Operations

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RMB Union Systems Kachasi

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

As part of its commitment to deliver quality service to customers, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has finally embraced the trade finance software of Union Systems Limited (USL), Kachasi.

The lender said its migration from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to USL’s Kachasi is a testament to the strength, reliability and competitiveness of this homegrown solution.

Kachasi is Nigeria’s leading indigenous trade finance software built to empower banks with seamless automation, regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency.

The platform has consistently proven to be a game-changer in the trade finance sector, offering key features such as full compliance with statutory and local regulatory requirements, end-to-end automation of trade finance processes, compliance with international trade regulations, advanced risk management and reporting tools, as well as seamless integration with core banking, local portals and third-party systems.

RMB said its decision to integrate Kachasi into its operations reinforces the platform’s reputation as a trusted trade finance solution.

As international trade becomes more complex, financial institutions require cutting-edge technology to navigate regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure operational excellence.

“This win affirms our commitment to revolutionizing trade finance automation across Africa. As more financial institutions embrace Kachasi, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the banking sector,” the financial institution stated.

Also, the chief executive of USL, Mr Chuks Onyebuchi, said, “This partnership with Rand Merchant Bank marks a defining moment, not just for Union Systems Limited but for African-built fintech solutions on the global stage.

“The successful transition from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to Kachasi proves that our homegrown technology is not only competitive but also better suited to the evolving needs of banks and trade finance institutions.

“Kachasi’s seamless automation, deep integration capabilities, and understanding of the local and international trade landscape make it the ideal choice for financial institutions looking to drive efficiency and innovation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building world-class technology, and we are excited to support RMB in revolutionizing their trade finance operations.”

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