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
AG Mortgage Bank N3.97bn Commercial Paper Closes June 18
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The N3.97 billion commercial paper issuance of AG Mortgage Bank Plc will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The sale of the debt instrument by the real estate lender commenced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
It is under the N5 billion commercial paper issuance programme of the lending firm aimed to support its short-term working capital and funding requirements.
The company is selling the papers in two series, with Series 2 offered at a discounted rate of 19.2895 per cent for 270 days, and Series 3 at a discounted rate of 19.3651 per cent for 364 days.
The minimum subscription is N5 million, and subsequent additions of N1 million.
AG Mortgage Bank is a leading primary mortgage bank in Nigeria with over two decades of experience in providing affordable mortgage financing and housing finance solutions.
The bank has grown its asset base to over N33 billion and remains a key participant in major housing intervention programmes, including the National Housing Fund Scheme and other government-backed mortgage initiatives.
Supported by a diversified product offering, strong institutional credibility, and an experienced management team, AG Mortgage Bank continues to deliver solid financial performance.
For FY 2025, interest income increased by 28.1 per cent to N3.65 billion, while profit after tax rose by 130.0 per cent to N1.05 billion, reflecting strong earnings growth, operational efficiency, and prudent risk management.
Banking
Access Holdings Earnings Capacity Remains Strong—Aig-Imoukhuede
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chairman of Access Holdings Plc, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has reaffirmed the organisation’s long-term commitment to shareholders, expressing confidence in the company’s strategic positioning, which he said is underpinned by disciplined execution, a diversified business model, a strengthened capital base, and a clear focus on sustainable value creation.
Speaking at the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the firm on Wednesday, he explained that the temporary suspension of dividend distributions was a consequence of regulatory compliance requirements rather than any deterioration in the group’s financial performance.
Mr Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed that the financial institution’s earnings capacity remains strong and that the board’s position reflects adherence to supervisory expectations and prudent capital management principles.
He assured shareholders of the board’s commitment to resuming dividend payments as soon as the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied, noting that, “Our approach is clear: capital retained today must translate into greater value tomorrow and sustainable returns for our shareholders.”
The Chairman reiterated the strategic imperative underpinning the company’s next phase of growth, saying, “Our strategy, From Scale to Value, reflects the natural evolution of our journey. Scale created opportunity; value creation is how we fully realise it.”
He noted that while the organisation continues to generate strong returns, ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital remains central to unlocking sustainable shareholder value.
The retired banker also acknowledged the significant unrealised value embedded within the firm’s international subsidiaries and reiterated management’s focus on improving market recognition of that intrinsic value over time.
Commenting on the financial performance of the group in 2025, he said Access Holdings accelerated provisions on legacy and regulatory forbearance credit exposures, resulting in elevated impairment charges.
He explained that the group consciously prioritised balance sheet strength and long-term resilience over short-term earnings optimisation.
“Periods of economic uncertainty often reveal more about an institution than periods of uninterrupted growth. Our focus remains on building a business that is not only growing, but improving in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of its earnings,” he stated.
Last year, the financial services organisation delivered pre-tax profit of N1.007 trillion, underscoring the strength of its diversified platform and expanding earnings base across key markets. Total assets increased to N51.56 trillion, while customer deposits grew strongly, reflecting sustained franchise momentum and deepening customer trust.
Banking
HabariPay Unveils ‘HabariPay Impact Report 2025’
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new report highlighting the transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers has been launched by HabariPay Limited.
The report, known as the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, provides stakeholders with a comprehensive evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact of the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc on the digital payments landscape.
The company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions were also captured in the piece.
The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the organisation’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions.
The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.
It showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.
“As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators.
“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy,” the Managing Director of HabariPay, Ms Eduofon Japhet, said.
“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.
“As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive,” she added.
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