Banking
Wema Bank Grows Gross Earnings By 16.36% In Q3 2016
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Despite the harsh operating environment and economic situation in Nigeria, Wema Bank has continued to record a quantum growth. This has made it one of the most trusted financial institutions in the country.
Some have attributed this to the leadership style of its Managing Director, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, who since assuming office, has repositioned the bank into a dependable brand. No wonder the Bank of Uganda was in Nigeria to learn from Wema Bank few weeks ago.
In its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Wema Bank’s gross earnings grew by 16.36 percent to N37.89 billion from N32.57 billion it recorded in the same period last year.
In the results obtained by Business Post, the bank showed a modest improvement in operating indices.
This is despite the domestic environment remaining largely strained.
Nigeria’s August 2016 manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMI data showed underperformance(s) at 42.1 index points and 43.7 index points respectively.
Also, inflation maintained an upward trend from 17.6% (August 2016) to 17.9% (September 2016), though at a slower pace (May – September 2016), as rising interest rate and foreign exchange illiquidity continue to impact prices.
But in all these, Wema Bank maintained its commitment to innovation, introducing *945# and other digital initiatives.
These efforts continue to engender confidence with the bank’s customers, leading to a growth in savings deposits by 18.10% from N35.58 billion as at December 2015 to N42.02 billion as at the end of the period.
The bank optimized its balance sheet, as loans to customers rose by 20.78% to N177.01 billion with interest income expanding by 20.12 percent to N31.93 billion compared to last year while fees and commission increased by 16.79 percent to N4.41 billion.
Explaining how the bank was able to record successes despite the odds, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, Mr Segun Oloketuyi, explained that, “the streamlining of our processes and the leverage on technology led to improving efficiencies and cost optimisation, with operating expense declining by 1.77% Y-o-Y from N17.49 billion in September 2015 to N17.18 billion in September 2016 compared to a general inflation level of 17.9%.”
Mr Oloketuyi noted that, “We will continue to seek opportunities to improve our cost-to-serve through alternative channels and continued strategic improvements of our business model without compromising our service quality.”
“Our prudent risk management model continues to enable us deal with the industry-wide spikes in loan defaults and attendant rise in Non-Performing Loans (NPL).
“The NPL ratio for the Bank stood at 2.99% as at Q3’16 which is below the regulatory threshold of 5%. The coverage ratio for the Bank remained adequate at 124.82%,” he added.
“Going into the final quarter of the year, we do not envisage any material improvement in the operating environment,” he submitted, noting that, “Rather, we expect the gains of the fiscal and monetary policies to impact between Q1 & Q2’ 2017.”
“However, we believe we would close the year with improved performance,” he expressed optimism.
Mr Oloketuyi also declared that, “We are pleased to announce that we just concluded a Tier II capital raise of N20 billion.”
“This will boost our Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), currently at 13.36% (pre-capital raise) and supporting our medium term growth plan. More information will be provided once we obtain final regulatory approval,” he explained.
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.
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.
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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