E-Financial
NDIC to Recover N400Bn Debts Owed Failed Banks
Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), is prepared to wield the big stick in its ongoing efforts to recover over N400 billion owed by debtors of failed banks which are now in liquidation, according to Mr. Bello Hassan, managing director/chief executive of the corporation.
Hassan who stated this yesterday said debt recovery remained one of the greatest challenges hampering its deposit insurance operation.
He spoke to journalists at the opening of the 20th workshop for business editors and finance correspondents, with the theme: “Stocktaking of Deposit Insurance Practice: Assessing the Now, Evaluating the Challenges and Forecasting the Future” in Owerri, Imo State.
Hassan said the NDIC will leverage a bouquet of powers in its disposal, courtesy of the revised NDIC Act, 2023 to expedite the process of debt recovery, moving forward.
He said the non-recovery of debts was obstructing the smooth payment of many depositors of failed banks.
He said: “A lot of customers of banks in liquidation that borrowed are not willing to repay those debts. And I want to put it on record that those debts or those loans that were granted were granted out of deposits of people that were collected by the banks.
“So, it is only when those debtors pay back that the NDIC would now be able to pay the depositors of those failed banks. And that is one of the greatest challenges that we’re facing.
“Luckily enough, there is a review in the 2023 NDIC Act, a lot of powers have been given to the corporation in order to expedite this process. We are hoping to leverage that to ensure that we recover more so that we can pay those depositors.”
The NDIC boss, who put the total debt owed to institutions in liquidation at over N400 billion, including Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Microfinance Banks (MFBs), and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), however pointed out that a substantial recovery had been made, while affected depositors had also been paid accordingly.
He added that substantial payments of the insured amounts had also been paid to depositors of banks whose licences were recently revoked earlier in May by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Specifically, Hassan said over N1.6 billion had been disbursed to 40,000 depositors while further calling on other depositors who didn’t have a Bank Verification Number (BVN) attached to their bank accounts to come forward and be verified in order to access their insured deposits.
Commenting on the CBN’s proposed drive to recapitalise the banking industry, the NDIC MD said the move was inevitable in order to enable the banks to play adequately in the proposed $1 trillion- economy currently envisaged by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
He said: “You also need bigger banks to be able to play within that space. As the government is implementing the agenda of growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to beyond $1 trillion.
“You need bigger banks to be able to play in that space and I believe it is within that context that the CBN is looking at recapitalising banks. So, we await the CBN for further details on this recapitalisation process.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, Hassan said the corporation had introduced the Single Customer View (SCV) framework that has enhanced speedy payment of insured sums to depositors of closed banks.
Among other things, he said the corporation had also enhanced collaboration with the bar and the bench, leading to speedy dispensation of justice and more informed judgements on failed banks cases.
In addition , he stressed that the NDIC has put in place policy and framework on Alternative Dispute Resolution for out-of-court settlement, which had enabled it to resolve some hitherto protracted failed bank litigations.
He said: “We have reviewed the Framework for Differential Premium Assessment System (DPAS) to make it more risk sensitive and account for significant developments that have taken place in the Nigerian banking system since its adoption in 2008.”
He said in complementing the consumer protection efforts of the CBN, the corporation has enhanced public awareness on the benefits and limitations of the deposit insurance system and financial literacy to reduce the rate at which small depositors are being defrauded, thereby enhancing confidence in the banking system.
Hassan said: “We have invigorated our liquidation activities, and greatly increased debt recovery rate leading to declaration of 100 per cent liquidation dividends to depositors of over 20 deposit money banks in- liquidation.
“We have also improved our systems, processes and procedures to promote transparency and accountability in our operations, amongst other humble achievements.”
E-Financial
MoneyMaster PSB Customers to Enjoy 10% Data Bonus Per Recharge
Customers of foremost payment service bank, MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (MMPSB), will henceforth, enjoy a 10 percent data bonus offer on every recharge above N1,000 on their Glo lines.
The data bundle offers one of the highest volumes in the country and the data purchases come with 30-day validity, with an automatic rollover of unused data upon subscription for a new plan.
The offer, which is meant to reward loyal customers and new ones, also underscores the bank’s dedication to empowering Nigerians to master their money via efficient offers that make every naira count.
The 10 percent bonus offer is available for Glo customers on banking channels including the MoneyMaster PSB app, USSD banking code *995# and MoneyMaster PSB Web banking.
MoneyMaster is a provider of innovative digital financial products and services that transform lives. It has the mission to deepen financial inclusion and has been pivotal in providing financial technology services to bridge the gaps between the banked, underbanked and unbanked population.
Mr. Julius Arhebun, head of Agency Banking at MoneyMaster, said, the offer shows the bank’s commitment to offering its customers products that enhance their lifestyle and help them master their money.
“With this offer, our existing and new customers can enjoy extended access to quality internet services whether it is streaming their favourite content, browsing top sites, or catching up on trends on their favourite social media apps”, he noted.
He further explained that existing customers can buy a data bundle of N1000 or above from their mobile wallets, savings account or individual current account via our USSD banking code *995#, mobile app or web banking. For new customers, the offer comes via opening accounts via the USSD banking platform or downloading the mobile application.
E-Financial
UBA Set to Establish Subsidiary in Saudi Arabia
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has set the wheels in motion to expand its operations in the Middle East with plan ongoing to open a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia, its largest economy.
This move which is expected to happen within the next year will mark the bank’s second subsidiary in the Gulf Region, following the expansion of its business to the United Arab Emirates in 2022.
Muyiwa Akinyemi, group deputy managing director, UBA, who disclosed this during a panel session during the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and in an interview with Arise TV, underscored the bank’s strategic commitment towards fostering Africa’s growth through infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and sustainable partnerships across key global markets.
He said, “Opening a presence in Saudi Arabia represents the next step for us in connecting the Africa-Gulf region. We are excited to bring UBA’s expertise in financial services to Saudi Arabia, where we aim to facilitate knowledge transfer and create strong economic linkages.
“This venture will further enable us to access Saudi expertise in food security, energy transition, and sustainable practices, which are all critical for Africa’s continued development.”
While emphasising the importance of Africa as a strategic investment destination for long-term capital, he said, “Africa’s infrastructure deficit is an opportunity for investors worldwide. Our pitch to the Gulf and Southeast Asia emphasizes that Africa must be part of their investment horizon. Today, food security is paramount as our population expands.
Akinyemi also highlighted the bank’s dedication to nurturing Africa’s youth talent through entrepreneurship.
“Guided by our Group Chairman’s efforts with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, UBA is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs in tech, agriculture, and entertainment, which are all burgeoning sectors in Africa. With such a young and dynamic population, we see enormous potential for innovation and growth.”
He also reiterated the bank’s continuous support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and beyond as he outlined the bank’s commitment to these businesses, which he referred to as key players in the African economy and vehicles for employment and economic growth.
“SMEs are the backbone of economic development in Africa. They contribute significantly to job creation and value chains, particularly within Nigeria. Over the last year, UBA has committed billions to support SMEs across Africa, and our network of over 20 countries enables us to make a substantial impact.”
During the panel discussions, Akinyemi took time to emphasize UBA’s longstanding experience on the continent as it navigates an ever-evolving investment landscape, adding that “As investors, we focus on infrastructure and sustainable projects that encourage economic prosperity while addressing pressing issues such as talent migration.
“Our goal is to ensure that people can thrive in Africa without needing to relocate. By investing in local talent and fostering growth sectors, we contribute to building the next generation of global innovators right here in Africa,” he noted.
The DMD further articulated UBA’s approach to risk management on the continent, emphasizing that the bank’s 75-year history has uniquely equipped it with insights and strategies to navigate diverse markets.
“With over seven decades of experience, Africa is what we know, and that knowledge allows us to manage risks effectively. We see tremendous opportunities in various sectors across the continent, and our continued investments are driven by a commitment to bring economic empowerment to communities, increase GDP, and improve socioeconomic quality. Our anniversary is a celebration of UBA’s legacy of contributing to Africa’s progress. We look forward to leveraging this milestone to drive even greater impact across sectors and empower future generations,” he said.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.
E-Financial
PalmPay Marks 5th Anniversary, Highlights Achievements
PalmPay, a leading emerging markets-focused fintech, has marked the 5th anniversary of its operations in Nigeria at a celebratory event held in Lagos recently.
During the event, Palmpay highlighted key milestones in its journey and updates on its growth and impact in the country.
Speaking at the anniversary, Chika Nwosu, managing director, PalmPay Nigeria, said: “We’ve built a platform that 35 million users trust, and with our growing network of agents and merchants, PalmPay is playing a key role in digitising Nigeria’s economy. Looking ahead, our strategy is clear—continue to lead with secure, reliable solutions while fostering partnerships that empower more people and businesses to reach their financial goals.”
At the core of PalmPay’s approach, is making financial services more accessible in a market where traditional banking options have left many underserved.
The new *861# USSD code allows customers to access PalmPay services without the internet, offering greater accessibility for users who run out of data or are in areas with low network coverage.
The company also emphasised its commitment to security at a time when financial fraud is increasing globally.
PalmPay has implemented security measures such as facial recognition, biometric login, and AI-driven transaction monitoring to ensure secure payments. Every account is verified through NIN or BVN, and customers who lose their phones can now freeze their accounts via the newly launched USSD service.
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