Banks’ Divestment from Insurance Firms: Analyst Wants Shareholders to be Given Preference

Foremost stock analyst and shareholder in many insurance companies, Mr. Nonah Awoh has called on banks and insurance companies to carry shareholders along and allow them to take the driver seat in the determination of who buy the stocks that arises out of banks divesting from insurance companies. He stated that having laboured hard to acquire these shares; they would not fold their hands and watch people whose character and interest may be at variance with the original shareholders. According to Awoh, their fears are hinged on the fact that if the divestment process was not well handled; it may snowball into an unhealthy situation where the board and management of these insurance companies would be negatively influenced by the personal ambitions of the outsiders who may cash in on the opportunity. The share activist wants the divesting banks and insurance companies to allow the existing shareholders to take over the shares or throw the shares into the general public for acquisition. He stated that their fears is further heightened considering that similar situations had happened in the banks in the past where investors money got trapped in the banks liquidation. Another insurance shareholder, Adebisi Olawale, however feel otherwise. To him, throwing the shares into the open market was as good as allowing strategic investors to buy up the divested shares, stressing that what was important was the repositioning of these insurance companies. He added that there have been instances in the past stated where shares were acquired by cronies without the awareness of the existing shareholders that they were the true owners of the stated shares. However, he called on the insurance companies to give top priority to the shareholders in order to avoid friction which at the end will pitch the insurers in a battle of wits against the shareholders. He added that the insurance industry should not be allowed to drift from its present achievements, occasioned by the recapitalization and industry reform which has taken the industry to the next level. It will be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in continuation of its banking reforms, rolled out an order directing banks to divest from non-banking investments in order to have time to concentrate in core banking services. According to CBN, the former universal banking model created an unhealthy situation where banks were distracted from primary banking operations. The situation has already sent panicky waves beyond the shareholders as industry watchers fear that the divestment process may weaken the strength of some of these companies, considering the enormous premium that the divesting banks attracted due to their spread and clientele base. Sequel to this directive, some insurance companies have already started the divestment process. The recent case in point was the GTBank which announced a divestment of 68 percent equity in its insurance subsidiary, Guarantee Trust Assurance (GTA) plc. The notice stated that "the proposed divestment should also entail the sale of the bank's equity stake in its insurance subsidiary - Guaranty Trust Assurance plc, which is also quoted on the trading floor."