E-Financial
FCMB Shareholders Approve ₦150 billion capital Raise to Drive Future Growth Plans
FCMB Group Plc’s shareholders, at the company’s 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM), approved an increase in issued share capital from ₦9,901,355,390.50 to ₦19,802,710,781.00 and authorised a ₦150 billion capital raise to drive future growth plans. The shareholders also approved a 100% increase in dividend payout to 50 kobo per share, up from 25 kobo in 2023, reflecting the Group’s commitment to delivering shareholder value.
L-R: Group Chief Executive, Mr. Ladi Balogun; Chairman, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi; Company Secretary/General Counsel, Mrs. Funmi Adedibu; Non-Exectuive Director, Professor Oluwatoyin Ashiru; Executive Director, Coverage & Investment Banking, Mr. Olufemi Badeji and Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Gbolahan Joshua, all of FCMB Group during the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Group held on May 24, 2024 in Lagos.
Chairman, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi, commended the workforce’s contribution to the company’s strong operating performance. He said, “FCMB Group Plc demonstrated resilience, the result of which has given me the great pleasure of being able to inform you that for the full year ended 31 December 2023, the Group declared a profit before tax of N104.4 billion, up 185.6% from the full year 2022.
“The diligence exhibited by our workforce across the country have been remarkable. I commend everyone who contributed to this strong operating performance for the year under review.
“As we navigate through the challenges and opportunities that our mission presents, the Board and Management remain steadfast in their commitment to cultivating a culture that will inspire excellence in our employees, customers, partners, and every member of our ecosystem.”
This would be the first Annual General Meeting of FCMB Group Plc without the presence of the Founder, the late Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON. A minute’s silence was observed at the commencement of the meeting and tributes were paid in his honour. Shareholders lauded the management for honouring and perpetuating the Founder’s legacy and the accelerating growth in most key indices, expressing optimism for a more rewarding future.
In his comments, Chief Timothy Adesiyan of Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association said: “We are happy that FCMB Group and its subsidiaries are growing in leaps and bounds. Of note are the strong corporate governance structures, succession plan and the commitment of the Bank to support key sectors of the economy, including corporate social responsibility programmes.
“However, the Bank should expand its interventions to artisans and other underserved sectors. We were grateful that from the 25 kobo dividend paid last year, and now we are receiving 50 kobo this year, a 100% increase.
“The Board, Management and Staff should continue to sustain the legacy of the late Founder, Otunba Subomi Balogun.”
In seeking approval for the N150 billion increase in share capital, the Group on behalf of its flagship bank, made clear its aspirations to retain its international license, with this year’s capital raise being the first step in that process.
Also speaking, the Secretary General of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Eke Emmanuel, applauded FCMB Group’s results and endorsed the capital raising programme. He said:
“The 2023 financial results of FCMB Group Plc show that the institution is in a healthy position and ready to transform challenges into opportunities. The recapitalisation plans are commendable and achievable. We are optimistic that FCMB will scale the hurdle and be better positioned to deliver more value to shareholders and Nigeria.”
The AGM concluded with renewed confidence among shareholders and stakeholders in the financial institution’s leadership and strategic direction. Board members reassured shareholders of their commitment to maintaining high governance standards and delivering consistent value while highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance risk management frameworks and ensure full regulatory compliance to safeguard the Bank’s reputation.
Titan Trust Bank has selected Oracle FSS for its core and digital banking technology, it is understood.
The start-up bank recently obtained its license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
It’s understood that Temenos and Infosys also competed for the deal.
The shortlist came down to the two most widely installed international core systems in Nigeria, Infosys’ Finacle and Oracle FSS’s Flexcube.
The Nigerian banking sector has seen a great deal of upheaval over the years, with many mergers, start-ups and closures. Flexcube is a well respected name since the late 1990s (the pioneer was Access Bank, now one of the country’s top five banks) and has been a commonly selected platform since then.
The new bank is believed to be one of five to have gained regulatory approval of late (Globus Bank is another).
Local media sources say the new licences stem from the Central Bank’s desire to attract new investments into the sector and better serve the country’s 50 million+ unbanked and under-banked citizens.
Titan Bank is said to be headed by a former executive director of Heritage Bank (which is a Finacle user).
Oracle FSS did not respond to request for comment.
International Monetary Fund (IMF), has appointed Tony Elumelu, Nigerian billionaire and group chairman of Heirs Holdings, owners of United Bank of Africa, to its advisory council on entrepreneurship and growth, convened by Kristalina Georgieva, the fund managing director.
The announcement was disclosed in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the IMF advisory council comprises global business leaders, policymakers, and academics dedicated to identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship.
The IMF said Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurship is central in policy making.
“Elumelu, Africa’s leading advocate of entrepreneurship and whose Foundation has funded, mentored, and trained over 25,000 African entrepreneurs since 2015, champions entrepreneurship as the engine for the economic transformation of Africa,” the statement reads.
“A self-made entrepreneur, Elumelu’s embracing of entrepreneurship is fundamental to his concept of Africapitalism, his belief that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development, making long-term investments that deliver social and economic value.
“Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is central to global economic policy making.”
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the advisory council on March 26, Georgieva said the appointees would share their experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies “can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity — key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth”.
Africa’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, fintech industry, scaling remittances, and cross-border payments will be the driving forces behind the continent’s digital ballooning payments system, which is estimated to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030.
This is according to a MasterCard-commissioned study by Genesis Analytics, which states that the digital payments economy is growing faster on the continent.
This comes as the World Bank says Sub-Saharan Africa has shown significant growth in financial inclusion over the past decade, much of it driven by mobile money account adoption.
Dimitrios Dosis, president, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at MasterCard, comments: “Africa is filled with immense possibilities, and its people have the potential to shape the global economy in the decades ahead.
“MasterCard remains deeply committed to driving digital transformation across the continent, working closely with entrepreneurs, merchants, banks, start-ups, telcos, and governments. By increasing our investments, expanding innovation, and fostering inclusion, we are helping build a more connected and accessible digital future.”
The payment technology company went on to say as a longstanding technology partner to Africa, its continues to strengthen its commitment to the continent’s digital growth through strategic investments, public-private partnerships, and innovation initiatives that drive financial health and economic growth.
In addition, it says trends in Africa signal a strong shift towards digital transactions, with businesses and consumers increasingly embracing contactless solutions, further accelerating economic participation and financial accessibility across the region.
“For over five decades, MasterCard has worked alongside African governments, businesses, and communities to advance financial inclusion and economic development.
“With Africa projected to host nine of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies, we are focused on leveraging our expertise and a technology to support the continent’s continued digital transformation.
“Our investments today will help build a more resilient economy for the future,” says Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, MasterCard
By fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, MasterCard says it aims to enhance digital connectivity, expand economic opportunities, and enable millions of people and businesses to thrive in the digital economy.
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