E-Financial
Fidelity Bank Eyes Oversubscription to N127.1Bn Combined Offers
Against the background of groundswell of supports and enthusiasm for the bank’s ongoing offers, Fidelity Bank Plc has started preparations to allow the bank absorb oversubscriptions.
With investors rallying behind the bank’s N127.1 billion combined rights and public offer, market pundits had indicated that the bank would raise more than initial size of the combined offer.
Reports have shown high subscription levels for the offers early weeks of the offer period, riding on the back of acceptances by existing shareholders and demand by the general investing public.
Fidelity Bank is offering a rights issue of 3.2 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N9.25 per share. The bank is also simultaneously offering 10 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to the general investing public at N9.75 per share.
The acceptance and application lists for the rights issue and public offer, which opened on Thursday, June 20, 2024, are scheduled to close on Monday, July 29, 2024. The rights issue has been pre-allotted on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 10 existing ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Friday, January 05, 2024.
With promising feedbacks from receiving agents and as shareholders, investors, experts and other stakeholders continue to rate the combined offers high, the board of Fidelity Bank has called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to enable the bank to absorb expected surplus funds.
Shareholders are scheduled to meet later this month to authorise the company “to accept surplus monies arising from potential oversubscription of the combined offer in such proportion as may be determined by the board of directors, subject to the company’s issued share capital and obtaining relevant regulatory approvals”.
Shareholders are also expected to increase the issued share capital of the company from N22.6 billion divided into 45.2 billion ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each to N26.70 billion through the creation of up to 8.2 billion in order to “accommodate potential oversubscription of the combined offer in the proportion of 5.0 billion additional ordinary shares under the public offer and 3.2 billion additional ordinary shares under the rights issue”.
The meeting will also mandate the board to take all necessary actions in line with the absorption of the oversubscription funds.
The board of the bank reiterated its commitment to retain the bank’s international banking license by meeting the new capital requirement within the regulatory timeframe.
According to the board, the resolutions proposed for shareholders’ approval at the upcoming EGM of July 26, 2024, are to enable acceptance of potential oversubscription from the combined offer, subject to relevant regulatory approvals.
The board pointed out that with the resolutions to accept oversubscription, the bank will be in stronger position to take advantage of emerging business opportunities and secure long-term profitability and competitive advantage, while ensuring increased shareholder value.
The net proceeds of the offer would be applied to investments in information technology infrastructure, business and regional expansion, and product distribution channels.
“The company is on a strong growth trajectory and requires additional capital for improved profitability, expansion- domestic and international, and enhancement of its digital capabilities.
“Continuing advances in technology, the rapid evolution of the business of banking, and changes in the operating landscape also make it imperative that the bank remains agile, adaptable and properly positioned to respond appropriately to developments, whilst remaining a competitive and forward-looking institution,” the board stated.
Directors of the bank assured that notwithstanding the continued rapid evolution of the banking industry, Fidelity Bank has been placed on foundation for strong and sustainable growth.
Fidelity Bank Plc’s combined N127.1 billion rights and public offer had struck early success as enthusiastic shareholders mobilise to pick their pre-allotted shares and buy more stakes in Nigeria’s most-widely owned commercial bank.
Shareholders have said they would pick their rights and buy more shares from the public offer in a massive show of support and positioning in the bank. Fidelity Bank had delivered an average annual capital gain of more than 100 per cent over the past five years and ranked among the elite stocks with the highest corporate governance rating at the Nigerian stock market.
In separate interviews, shareholders across Nigeria’s leading shareholders’ associations, said the pricing of the highly discounted rights issue and public offer, the operational growth of the bank over the years, dividend records and capital gains were attractions to buy more stakes in the bank. Fidelity Bank is one of the few companies that pay dividends twice a year at the stock market.
They envisioned that a post-recapitalisation Fidelity Bank would deliver higher returns and continue to be a leading preserver of values for shareholders’ wealth.
The shareholders, who spoke through their leaders, said recapitalisation has offered good opportunity to the investing public to buy into good banking stocks at reduced prices, noting that banks are the most influential stocks at the Nigerian market. Subscribers to primary market issues are exempted from paying transaction costs, unlike direct purchase through the secondary market.
Shareholders, under the auspices of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association (IBZA), Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria and Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria among others, said they were picking up their rights and mobilising supports for the bank.
The general shareholders’ endorsements represent a major boost for Fidelity Bank, which has the most diversified retail shareholders’ base among Nigerian banks.
With nearly 400,000 shareholders, no single shareholder held up to 5.0 per cent of the issued share capital of the bank. Five per cent and above are considered the material shareholding under extant laws and market regulations.
Rights issue is traditionally pre-allotted on the basis of existing shareholdings and its success, most often, depend largely on the satisfaction and enthusiasm of existing shareholders.
Fidelity Bank appears to be riding high on its highly diversified shareholding base with its popularity showing across all cadres of investors in the market. The shareholders’ comments came on the heels of similar positive comments by investment experts and capital market stakeholders.
The combined rights and public offers had opened to a rousing support from the investing public as key capital market stakeholders recalled the symbolic importance of Fidelity Bank’s impressive growths and investor-friendly disposition over the years.
From the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) to stockbrokers, investors and customers; the N127.1 billion combined rights and public offer received unreserved recommendations, with industry thought leaders citing the performance of Fidelity Bank in its core banking operations and as a quoted company at the stock market.
They said Fidelity Bank’s N127.1 billion combined rights and public offer was the right way for the nation’s banking recapitalisation exercise to start as the bank, which has the highest corporate governance rating and an average annual capital gain of more than 100 per cent at the stock market, has strong appeal to the investing public.
The Doyen of Stockbrokers, the oldest practicing stockbroker, Alhaji Rasheed Yussuff, said Fidelity Bank has good records going for it with its history of impressive growth and profitability and dividend payments.
The Lagos State Government has reappointed leading Payment Service Bank, Moneymaster for the second phase of the ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Discount Market, which commences across the state on September 1, 2024’.
A food price discount initiative packaged by the Lagos State Government to bring succor to residents of the state, ‘Ounje Eko’ provides a variety of food items to residents at a discount of 25 percent.
The scheme, which recommences on Sunday, September 1, across all the Local Government Areas (LGAs), Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and in the premises of five tertiary institutions in the state was successfully piloted in March this year.
MoneyMaster’s innovative and robust payment and collection technology infrastructure was fully deployed during the pilot exercise and once again it has been given the mandate to deploy its cutting-edge collection solution for seamless transactions at Ounje Eko discount markets.
“We are excited to partner with the Lagos State Government in the second phase of the Ounje Eko discount markets as this programme aligns with our corporate philosophy of adding value to people’s lives”, MoneyMaster PSB disclosed in a statement.
Moneymaster’s secure, fast transaction processing and robust payment channels, which facilitated excellent performance in the scheme’s first phase, has been described as the factor responsible for the retention of the bank for the payment programme.
MoneyMaster PSB, which was issued a license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in August 2020 has been instrumental in providing financial technology services to bridge the gap between the banked, underbanked and unbanked populace in the country.
Citibank Nigeria Limited has appointed Nneka Enwereji as its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
In a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs, Nigeria and Ghana Global Communications Enterprise Services and Public Affairs, Lola Oyeka and made available to us on Thursday, it was indicated that Enwereji’s appointment became effective on August 19, 2024, following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that Enwereji succeeds Ireti Samuel-Ogbu who has retired from Citi after 36 years.
Commenting on her appointment, the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria Limited, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, said, “I am very happy about Nneka’s appointment.
“Her deep industry knowledge, strong leadership skills, and a clear vision for the future will ensure the bank continues to help Citi’s clients navigate an increasingly dynamic environment. It has been a pleasure working with her as an Executive Director and I look forward to working with her as the MD/CEO of Citibank Nigeria Limited.”
Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Cluster Head for Citi, Akin Dawodu, in his comments, said, “Nneka is a strong leader with a proven track record of growing businesses, deepening client relationships, and building strong partnerships. I am confident that she will continue to deliver value for our clients and other stakeholders.”
Commenting on her appointment, Enwereji said “I am excited about this new chapter at the helm of Citibank Nigeria Limited, working with our dedicated team to deliver the full value of Citi’s network to clients and stakeholders.”
Before her appointment, Enwereji was Citi’s Head of Global Network Banking across the SSA sub-cluster, and she led the team in achieving record business growth amidst considerable market complexities.
Her previous roles include the GNB Co-Head for the Middle East and Africa, Africa Trade Services Head and Financial Institutions SSA Trade Head.
Enwereji brings a wealth of experience and her 31-year banking career spans Markets, Corporate & Investment Banking, Transaction Services, Risk Management and Operations.
She has been an Executive Director on the Citi Nigeria board and has also served on different boards in a non-executive capacity. Nneka holds a degree in Computer Science and Economics with first-class honours from the Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the Warwick Business School, UK. She has also attended executive programs at Yale School of Management and the University of California, Berkeley.
With her appointment, the number of female bank MDs in Nigeria has increased.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria and Mastercard have collaborated to launch Fidelity Send, a new initiative to enhance cross-border payments and remittances in Nigeria.
L – R: Kari Tukur, Vice President, Customer and Solutions Center, West & East Africa, Mastercard; Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Folasade Femi Lawal, Country Manager, Mastercard; and Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc; at the launch of Fidelity Send powered by Mastercard at the Fidelity Bank headquarters on Friday, 30 August 2024.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the collaboration leverages Mastercard’s extensive global network to facilitate near-real-time and cost-effective outbound transactions, driving financial inclusion in the country.
The new solution utilizes Mastercard Cross Border Services—a leading money transfer platform that allows participating banks to use the global Mastercard network to send money safely and securely to beneficiary bank accounts across the world.
Read Also: Fidelity Bank Trains 1,276 Women in Digital and AI Skills
Individuals and businesses using Fidelity Bank branches and digital platforms now have access to near-real-time funds delivery to over 60 countries.
Cross-border remittances continue to play an important role in Africa’s economy, with flows to Sub-Saharan Africa increasing by approximately 1.9% in 2023 to $54 billion, with Nigeria accounting for 38% of the flows.
In 2024, remittance flows to the region are projected to increase by 2.5%, presenting significant opportunities for businesses to expand their services and tap into the growing market of financial transactions across borders. However, limited banking infrastructure, high fees, and long processing times hinder adoption.
This collaboration aims to address these challenges by providing a faster, more reliable, cost-effective, and transparent solution with lower fees, no landing fees, wider management options, and guaranteed funds delivery—aligning perfectly with the evolving needs of customers.
Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development at Fidelity Bank Plc, said: “Our collaboration with Mastercard to introduce Fidelity Send demonstrates our commitment to meeting our customers’ business and lifestyle needs through carefully designed products and services.
“We are pleased to offer our valued customers a quick and seamless means of receiving or transferring funds globally via a range of service touchpoints.”
Fidelity Int’l Transfer is designed to bridge the gap in cross-border payments by providing the Fidelity Bank’s growing customer base with an enhanced banking experience.
This solution also addresses the key challenge of managing foreign currency fluctuations during international money transfers.
Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager, West Africa, Mastercard, said: “We are honored to collaborate with Fidelity Bank to introduce innovative solutions that offer greater choice, security, and flexibility to individuals and businesses in Nigeria.
“Through advancements in payment technology, we aim to empower people and enhance financial inclusion for millions in underserved communities.”
In recent years, Mastercard has amplified its efforts to facilitate better access to cross-border payments in Nigeria and across the continent, in line with its commitment to bringing one billion individuals into the digital economy by 2025.
This collaboration with Fidelity Bank strengthens this initiative and enables both parties to connect and power an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere.
Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.
The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
FG Unveils Committee to Advance Risk Management in Nigeria
MoneyMaster Selected as Payment Partner for Ounje Eko Phase 2
NERC says World Bank will Crash Solar Tariff in Nigeria
Citibank Taps Nneka Enwereji as CEO
MoMo PSB, LSSBI Advisory Partner for Seamless Tax Payments
VertoFX Appoints Dr. Austin Okpagu as Nigeria Country Manager
NDIC Plans to Liquidate 87 Microfinance Banks, Others
Glo Teams up with LASG on Food Sufficiency Through M-Agric
Telcos Say 30m Lines not Properly Linked to NINs
How PalmPay Empowers MSME Business Growth with Innovative Business Offering
Telecom2 days agoGlo Introduces Instalment Payment Scheme for Purchase of Smartphones
E-Financial3 days agoExplore your Payment Option on the PalmPay App
E-Financial2 days agoFintechNGR, Africa Fintech Network Call for Enhanced Collaboration and Innovation on Cross-Border Payments and Remittances
E-Business3 days agoUrbanID: Revolutionizing Identity Management Systems Across the World
Broadcasting3 days agoCreating Conditions for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in Nigeria’s Digital Economy – An Urgent Call for Action
E-Financial2 days agoFidelity Bank Trains 1,276 Women in Digital and AI Skills
Uncategorized24 hours agoFG Unveils Committee to Advance Risk Management in Nigeria
Telecom2 days agoHere’s Your Last Chance to Secure Discounted Starlink Kits @ Konga