Economy
Access Bank Increases Dividend as 2020 Earnings Rise 15%
By Dipo Olowookere
Access Bank Plc has surprised its shareholders by increasing its final dividend payout for the year 2020 by 37.5 per cent or 15 kobo to 55 kobo from 40 kobo.
The bank, led by Mr Herbert Wigwe, is not known to pay a huge dividend like its two other tier-1 peers, GTBank and Zenith Bank, which paid N2.70 each.
In the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020, the lender said it intends to pay a final dividend of 55 kobo on Friday, April 30, 2021, to shareholders whose names appear on the register of members as at the close of business on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
If the cash reward is approved by shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) fixed for Friday, April 30, 2021, at the Access Towers at Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, the total dividend for the year would be 80 kobo. The bank had earlier paid an interim dividend of 25 kobo last year.
The year 2020 was very challenging for most businesses across the globe because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many countries to declare a lockdown.
But in the midst of this, Access Bank managed to grow its earnings by almost 15 per cent, precisely by 14.7 per cent to N764.7 billion from N666.8 billion recorded a year earlier.
A brief analysis of the results by Business Post indicated that the financial institution recorded a decline in its interest income to N425.7 billion from N453.6 billion.
Also, the interest expense went down to N226.3 billion from N259.6 billion, leaving the net interest income lower at N263.0 billion as against the previous year’s N277.2 billion.
With a net impairment charge of N62.9 billion versus N20.2 billion in FY 2019, the net interest income after impairment charges dropped to N200.1 billion from N257.0 billion.
However, in the year under review, fee and commission income increased to N116.7 billion from N91.9 billion as a result of the significant rise in the revenue generated from its electronic banking channels (N56.1 billion versus N36.0 billion in 2019).
There was also a spike in credit-related fees and commissions (N32.5 billion versus N26.6 billion). The bank generated N15.1 billion from account maintenance charges and handling commission, higher than N14.0 billion raked from the means a year earlier.
In the year, Access Bank said it reduced its personnel expenses to N73.2 billion from N77.0 billion in 2019 and this was from the wage cut announced by Mr Wigwe last, which almost put the bank in trouble after a video he had with members of staff on this issue went viral.
Last, the lender said its wages and salaries gulped N69.0 billion in contrast to N73.2 billion used for the same purpose in 2019.
Despite some of its employees working from home as a result of the government’s directives on the restriction of movement in 2020 due to COVID-19, the other operating expenses of Access Bank rose to N215.8 billion from N151.1 billion.
The bank explained that it was because of the rise in premises and equipment costs (N15.6 billion versus N13.4 billion in 2019), AMCON surcharge of N35.4 billion in contrast to the previous year’s N22.7 billion, administrative costs of N15.5 billion as against N11.4 billion in 2019, communication expenses of N7.5 billion versus N3.3 billion in 2019, IT and e-business costs of N18.7 billion compared with N9.8 billion a year earlier, outsourcing costs of N25.1 billion versus N16.7 billion in 2019, advertisement and marketing expenses of N11.3 billion in contrast to N6.3 billion recorded a year earlier, security costs of N7.9 billion as against N4.3 billion in 2019 and stationeries, postage and printing expenses of N5.9 billion versus N1.9 billion the preceding year.
These expenses and others left Access Bank with a profit before tax of N125.9 billion in 2020 as against N111.9 billion in 2019, while the profit after tax closed at N106.0 billion versus N94.1 billion a year earlier.
In the period under consideration, the earnings per share (EPS) of Access Bank rose to N3.01 from N2.79, while the total assets increased to N8.7 trillion from N7.1 trillion, with the total liabilities jumping to N7.9 trillion from N6.5 trillion. A part of the liabilities had N5.6 trillion as customer deposits, higher than N4.2 trillion in 2019.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has expressed worry over plans by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to spend about $11.6 billion on debt servicing.
In a post on his social media platform on Monday, the opposition politician criticised this move, saying it is not good for the country.
He also said this action “should concern anyone interested in the country’s economic future and long-term development.”
The former Governor of Anambra State kicked against the penchant of the government to borrow from various sources without anything to show for it.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing when it is guided by prudence and directed toward productive investment, he noted, stressing that countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Indonesia are all heavily indebted, yet their borrowings are largely channelled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, and innovation – sectors that generate long-term economic returns and sustain repayment capacity.”
According to him, “despite high debt levels, their obligations remain more manageable because they are tied to measurable productivity.”
He said, “Nigeria’s situation, however, is markedly different. A huge proportion of past borrowing has been directed toward consumption, with limited visible or sustainable developmental outcomes to justify the scale of indebtedness.”
“It is also important to note that a huge portion of the debt currently being serviced was accumulated under the Tinubu administration itself, while borrowing has continued at a significant pace. The administration’s recent external borrowing alone includes about $6 billion (from First Abu Dhabi Bank in the UAE—$5 billion, and UK Export Finance via Citibank London—$1 billion), a further $1.25 billion under consideration from the World Bank, and an additional $516 million arranged through Deutsche Bank, bringing the latest known external loan commitments to roughly $7.8 billion. In addition, domestic borrowing through monthly bond issuances continues to add to the overall debt stock,” the businessman also stated.
“Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s 2026 budget shows that health is N2.46 trillion, education is N2.56 trillion, and poverty alleviation is N865 billion, giving a combined total of about N5.885 trillion for these three critical sectors.
“By comparison, debt servicing at about $11.6 billion (approximately N17–N18 trillion, depending on exchange rate assumptions) is almost three times higher than the total allocation to health, education, and social protection combined. This imbalance highlights a troubling fiscal reality in which debt obligations increasingly crowd out investment in human capital and poverty reduction.
“Moreover, even within the limited allocations to these sectors, funds may not be fully released, and a significant portion of what is eventually released could be misappropriated,” he further stated.
Mr Obi said, “The central issue is not borrowing itself, but whether borrowed funds are being converted into measurable productivity, inclusive growth, and improved living standards. Without this, debt servicing shifts from being a temporary fiscal obligation to a long-term structural burden that constrains development and deepens economic vulnerability.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Pathway Advisors Limited, an issuing house and financial advisory firm, has announced the successful completion of the Series 2 Commercial Paper issuance for Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc.
The Series 2 offer, issued under Veritasi Homes’ newly registered N20.00 billion Commercial Paper Programme, raised N16.76 billion, significantly above its initial N12.00 billion target on the back of strong institutional demand.
This issuance builds on the company’s track record in the Nigerian debt capital market and follows the recently concluded N10 billion 3-year 20 per cent Series 1 Fixed Rate Bond Issuance, further reinforcing investor confidence in Veritasi Homes’ strong credit profile.
The 364-day tenor instrument attracted robust participation from a diverse pool of institutional investors, underscoring sustained confidence in the Company’s financial strength, operating model, and governance standards.
Commenting on the deal, the Founder/CEO of Pathway Advisors Limited, Mr Adekunle Alade (MBA, FCA, M.CIod), noted that the outcome further validates investor appetite for well-structured transactions in the Nigerian capital market.
“The strong oversubscription speaks to the market’s confidence in Veritasi Homes’ performance, governance, and repayment track record. We are pleased to continue supporting issuers with strong fundamentals in accessing efficient funding.’’
He further highlighted that Veritasi Homes’ consistent market activities since 2022, including successful issuances and full redemption of matured obligations, continue to strengthen its reputation among institutional investors.
“Pathway Advisors Limited remains committed to maintaining its leadership position within Nigeria’s capital markets through the origination and execution of transformative, value-driven, and commercially viable transactions by deploying innovative financial solutions and facilitating strategic capital formation across critical sectors.
“We are committed to supporting credible corporates in accessing efficient short-term and long-term financing solutions within the Nigerian capital market,” he said in a statement on Monday.
Speaking on the transaction, the Managing Director/CEO of Veritasi Homes & Properties Plc, Mr Nola Adetola, described the outcome as a strong endorsement of the company’s fundamentals.
“This result reflects the resilience of our business model, our growing market reputation, and the continued trust of the investment community. We are grateful to all institutional investors for their confidence in Veritasi Homes.”
He added that the proceeds from the issuance will be deployed to support the company’s working capital requirements, enhance liquidity, and complete the ongoing development activities across its real estate portfolio.
Mr Adetola also commended Pathway Advisors Limited for its advisory and arranging role in the successful execution of the transaction.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the transition to the T+1 settlement cycle for capital market transactions from June 1, 2026.
This is coming some months after Nigeria moved from the T+3 settlement cycle to the T+2 settlement cycle.
The T+ settlement cycle is the number of working days required to complete a capital market transaction, such as the trading of securities, shares, and others, from the first day the trade was executed by an investor.
In a notice on Monday, the SEC, which is the apex capital market regulator in Nigeria, said it was authorising the new system to “promote an efficient, fair, and transparent capital market.”
Under the new arrangement, equities and commodities traded by investors at the market would be cleared and settled by the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) within one day.
The agency noted that the migration to a T+1 settlement cycle forms part of its ongoing market modernisation initiatives aimed at enhancing market efficiency and strengthening risk management. reducing counterparty exposure, improving liquidity, and aligning the Nigerian capital market with international standards and global best practices.
“Accordingly, all eligible trades executed in the Nigerian capital market shall settle one business day after the trade date (T+1),” a part of the statement noted.
It was stressed that “Friday, May 29, 2026, shall be the final trading day under the existing T+2 settlement cycle. Trades executed on Friday, May 29, 2026, and Monday, June 1, 2026, shall both settle on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. All trades executed from Monday, June 1, 2026, onward shall be subject to the T+1 settlement cycle.”
SEC tasked all capital market operators, securities exchanges, clearing and settlement infrastructure providers, custodians, registrars, issuers, and other relevant stakeholders to take all necessary measures to ensure full operational readiness and compliance with the new settlement framework.
“Market participants are expected to review and align their systems, processes, controls, and operational workflows ahead of the implementation date,” it further stated, promising to continue to engage stakeholders and monitor the implementation process to ensure an orderly and seamless transition.
The regulator said it remains committed to strengthening market integrity, enhancing investor confidence, and fostering the development of a modern. resilient and globally competitive Nigerian capital market.
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