Banking

We’re Prepared for Emerging Economic Realities—GTBank

Published

5 years ago

23/04/2020

By Dipo Olowookere

Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, has expressed the readiness of the pan-African financial institution for the emerging economic realities.

Since the beginning of this year, the world has been battling with the Coronavirus pandemic, which has brought the global economy to a halt.

Many businesses have had to be shut down, while others still operating have been doing so remotely. At the moment, no one knows when the virus would be defeated and the possibility of having a vaccine for its is still far away, about 9 months or more, according to health experts.

But in the midst of the crisis, GTBank, under the leadership of Mr Agbaje, recorded a strong performance in the first quarter of this year.

On Wednesday, the company released its unaudited financial results for the period ended March 31, 2020, to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

GTBank reaffirmed its position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in Nigeria with the good performance across all financial indices.

In the period, the profit before tax stood at N58.2 billion, representing a growth of 2.1 percent over N57.0 billion recorded in the corresponding period of March 2019.

The lender’s loan book grew by 8.0 percent from N1.502 trillion as at December 2019 to N1.622 trillion in March 2020, while customers’ deposit increased by 9.3 percent to N2.768 trillion from N2.533 trillion in the same period.

The bank maintained a well-structured and diversified balance sheet with total assets and shareholders’ funds closing at N4.057 trillion and N661.1 billion respectively.

Full impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very strong, closing at 23.5 percent. In terms of asset quality, NPL ratio and Cost of Risk (COR) improved to 6.0 percent and 0.1 percent in March 2020 from 6.5 percent and 0.3 percent in December 2019 respectively.

Loan loss coverage also improved to 130.5 percent for Lifetime Credit Impaired Loans (NPLs) compared with 126.6 percent in December 2019.

Mr Agbaje, in his reaction to the earnings, admitted that, “These are very difficult and uncertain times, not just for the financial services sector and the economy as a whole, but also for hundreds of millions of people around the world whose lives and livelihoods have been put at risk by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He said, “At GTBank, we know that the impact of this pandemic may sustain for months to come, but we remain positive that, by staying nimble and continuing to build on the strength of our businesses, we are appropriately positioned to cope with emerging economic realities, as reflected in our first quarter result.”

The banking executive further stated that, “As a platform for enriching lives, our focus is on safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

“That is why we are working round the clock to keep all our members of staff and customers safe, supporting the government in combatting the pandemic and being there for our customers in every way that they may need our support at this time.”

Overall, Guaranty Trust Bank plc continues to be best-in-class in the Nigerian banking industry in terms of financial ratios i.e. Post-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 29.7 percent, Post-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 5.1 percent, and Cost to Income ratio of 40.6 percent.

These ratios reflect the management stability and well-structured Balance sheet coupled with operational efficiency.

In recognition of the bank’s bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery, and innovation, GTBank has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years.

Some of the awards include Best Bank in Africa and Best Bank in Nigeria, by the Euromoney Magazine (2019), Best Banking Group and Best Retail Bank Nigeria from World Finance Magazine (2019), Bank of the Year – Nigeria from the Banker Magazine (2018), Most Innovative Bank from the African Investor (2018), and Best Digital Banking Brand in Nigeria from the Global Brands Magazine (2018).

Banking

CBN Insists Old, New Naira Notes Remain Valid Beyond December 31

Published

9 hours ago

14/12/2024

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the old and new Naira notes will continue to be used for financial transactions in the country beyond December 31, 2024.

There had been rumours that the old and redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes would no longer be legal tender from Wednesday, January 1, 2025, because the central bank would phase out the notes in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement of November 29, 2023.

But the apex bank, in a statement signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Ali, on Friday, clarified that the apex court’s judgement being cited did not authorise the bank to phase out the banknotes by the end of this year.

According to her, the court allowed the CBN to leave the old and new notes to be used concurrently until it decides to gradually phase out the former.

The central bank’s spokesperson urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.

She urged them to continue to accept all Naira notes for daily transactions, encouraging banks to also adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.

“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines,” the statement noted.

Banking

Access Bank to Acquire 100% Equity in South Africa’s Bidvest

Published

2 days ago

12/12/2024

Adedapo Adesanya

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.

Banking

Access Bank Opens Branch in Malta to Strengthen Europe-Africa Trade Ties

Published

4 days ago

11/12/2024

Modupe Gbadeyanka

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.”