Banking
Wema Bank Assures Northern Customers Value-Driven Relationship
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Wema Bank Plc., the innovative bank which recently launched ALAT, Nigeria’s first fully digital bank has assured customers in Minna of its commitment to working with them to ensure they achieve their financial and personal goals.
Some management staff of the Bank led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Segun Oloketuyi were in Minna on Tuesday at a Customer Forum event, where they reiterated the Bank’s resolve to nurture a long-lasting value-driven relationship with the customers.
“At Wema Bank, we value relationships, and so we have taken note of what the people of Minna want,” Mr Oloketuyi said following a Question and Answer session involving customers of the Bank. “Our strength is in relationships built with customers over decades. We will continue this. Do not forget that Wema Bank was founded by Nigerians to cater to the needs of Nigerians. We are your Bank. And like we have always promised; we will be with you all the way,” Mr Oloketuyi added.
The bank aims at long-term customer engagement that helps not only to encourage customer loyalty but also turn customers to passionate promoters of the Wema brand, which will lead to easier on-boarding of new customers, who will all enjoy tailor-made solutions from the bank.
Wema Bank reopened the Minna branch in September 2016, almost ten years after it closed the branch due to the scaling down of operations to the South West and South South region. With the bank now expanding with purpose, the new Wema Bank is reengineered to serve customers better with innovative solutions. To ensure it achieves this aim, the Bank has committed to listening more to customers.
Speaking further at the event attended by the Chairman of Morris Fertilizer, Hassan Shiroro and the Executive Director of the State Investment Company (NSIC) Ahmed Kure, Mr Oloketuyi emphasized that Wema Bank’s resolve is shown in the kind of products and services the Bank offer. “We think about the value our customers would enjoy from our offerings before introducing them to the market,” he said.
The bank’s products and services were also discussed at the Customer Forum. According to officials of the Bank who spoke to journalists at the event, the Bank’s flagship offering ALAT, though targeted at the young, upwardly mobile generation, can be used by anyone who craves the easiest way of banking.
With ALAT, account opening/sign-up can be done in 5 minutes from a mobile phone or personal computer. Holders of the account can also enjoy a simple automated savings plan that will see them earn 10% annual interest – about three times the standard bank rate. Debit cards are delivered to an account holder’s address in two business days, anywhere in Nigeria, at no cost. Also, after activating a debit card, an account holder can lock it, unlock it and choose where it works. All these can be done from a mobile phone.
ALAT is available for download on Google’s operating system Android and Apple’s iOS.
Wema Bank officials also introduced *945#, one of the first bank-owned USSD banking codes in Nigeria, to customers and other residents of Niger State who are yet to know about the service. Customers can start banking with Wema just by dialling *945*1# to open an account.
Banking
Proxy Share Acquisition: Nothing to Worry About—LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Assures Shareholders
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The board of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank Plc has assured the investing public, particularly its shareholders, that its operations are not being affected by reports of an alleged proxy share acquisition surrounding the organisation.
It was claimed that an investor attempted to take over the control of the real estate lender with funds alleged to have been from questionable sources.
In a clarification to the investing public through the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the company said it cannot confirm if security operatives investigating the claims have submitted their report to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
However, it assured that, “Our bank is stable and that in the event of any change in ownership, we will file the necessary formal notifications and publish detailed announcements.”
In the notice today, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank narrated that, “As a company listed on the Growth Board of NGX, there are regular movements on the bank’s shareholder register.
“The bank’s monitoring of material movements showed an acquisition of 2.24 per cent of its shareholding by Apel Asset Ltd-Nominee, as per its register of June 25, 2025, as obtained from our registrar. However, one month later, in July 2025, the register obtained from the bank’s registrar showed the same shares to be listed in favour of Deril Academy Limited. We are further aware that in July 2025, Deril Academy Limited teamed up with some other shareholders in a takeover attempt via a matter filed in the Federal High Court, Lagos. The attempt failed, and the matter has now been withdrawn.
“Please note that we do not reveal the veil of corporations of juridical entities investing in the shares of the bank, below the level considered statutorily significant.
“While the CBN assesses the source of funds invested in financial institutions, persons purchasing shares of less than 5 per cent of total shareholdings in the open market are not required to be reported to the CBN.”
Business Post reports that the majority shareholders of LivingTrust Mortgage Bank, formerly Omoluabi Mortgage Bank, are Cititrust Holdings Plc and the Osun State Government.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) registry surged to 68.6 million in the first three months of 2026 from 67.8 million in the last quarter of 2025, reflecting continued uptake of the unique identity platform for bank customers amid new regulatory directives to strengthen the Nigerian financial landscape further.
Data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) showed that the database expanded by 754,128 in the first quarter of the year.
Last year, the sector recorded 4.3 million new registrations, largely driven by the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to register remotely, thereby boosting cross-border financial inclusion.
The data for fresh enrolments in 2026 showed a slowing rate of registrations, with fewer than one million recorded in the first three months. The total number of active bank accounts in Nigeria stood at over 320 million as of March 2025, highlighting a gap between BVN coverage and the broader banking population. While a single BVN can be linked to multiple accounts, unlinked accounts remain a challenge for financial oversight.
Last month, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) introduced a revised BVN regulatory framework to strengthen identity verification and fraud prevention. Among the new provisions, only individuals aged 18 and above are eligible for BVN enrolment, and customers are now permitted to update the phone number linked to their BVN only once.
The apex bank also directed financial institutions to maintain a temporary watch list of BVNs associated with suspected fraudulent transactions. Affected BVNs remain on the list for up to 24 hours, during which owners are contacted for clarification before further action is taken.
According to the CBN, the measures are designed to tighten fraud monitoring, protect transaction integrity, and enhance identity management across Nigeria’s banking system.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One tune that is on the lips of young and energetic Nigerians is the new ALAT: The Evolution jingle.
The melodious clink was designed to capture the energy of a smarter and more seamless banking experience. It is bright, catchy, and full of life.
The lender said the ALAT: The Evolution jingle is more than just music, as it represents a clear statement of intent. It signals a shift towards banking that feels natural, responsive, and in tune with the user.
As customers update their app and explore ALAT: The Evolution, the jingle serves as a reminder that a better, smoother way to bank is already here. Wema Bank is not just evolving its technology; it is shaping how banking feels.
It was stated that the tune was introduced to mark the next phase of the financial institution’s digital banking journey.
Everyday banking can often feel routine or even stressful, with multiple steps and delays slowing things down. The ALAT: The Evolution jingle reimagines that experience with a lively and confident tone that mirrors the app’s capabilities.
From voice banking with SAW to Tap and Pay and bank uptime prediction, each feature is echoed in the rhythm and flow of the sound. It brings to life the speed, convenience, and reliability that define this new phase of ALAT: The Evolution.
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