E-Financial
Oromia International Bank in Ethiopia Goes Live with ICSFS’ IFB Software
ICS Financial Systems Limited (ICSFS), the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions, and Oromia International Bank S.C (OIB), one of the most profitable banks in Ethiopia, announce the successful implementation and go-live of ICS BANKS Universal Banking and ICS BANKS Interest Free Banking (IFB)software suites, to provide OIB customers with conventional and interest free banking services at 264 physical branches having IFB and Conventional banking services in each branch across the country.
OIB is one of the most influential and popular private banks in Ethiopia and also known for pioneering Interest free banking window services.
OIB replaced its legacy system with full-fledged IFB & Conventional services from ICS BANKS Universal Banking and ICS BANKS IFB software suites, including part of ICS BANKS Digital Banking products to indulge their customers with a true omnichannel experience.
The implementation project took the Big Bang approach for 264 branches; where each physical branch consists of IFB and Conventional window services. OIB went live during July 2019, showcasing record breaking of less than 30 minutes end-of-day processing (EOD) duration in Ethiopia.
Abie Sano, OIB President, stated: “The Ethiopian banking industry is flourishing, especially in the interest-free banking sector. OIB is one of the most influential banks in Ethiopia, as we have around 2 million customers from corporate to individual, and from baby boomers to millennials.
“ ICSFS’ products and services work hand-in-hand with our philosophy and approach; to work on full-speed to offer our variety of customers a successful journey, especially as we are diving into a frictionless future.
Thanks to ICSFS’ true comprehensive offering, we are now capable on servicing each customer with their specific needs and demands. We are very excited to start our own journey with ICSFS.”
Robert Hazboun, Managing Director at ICSFS, said: “We are happy with the outcome of this project, as with no room of doubt, the successful go-live of ICS BANKS at OIB is considered one of the most seamless implementations in the Ethiopian banking industry.
This milestone proved again ICS BANKS efficiency, resiliency and high tolerance to infrastructure challenges of all kinds, while still providing the highest levels of performance with minimal infrastructure requirements.
“The implementation revealed vital performance gain that substantially enhanced the bank’s customer experience compared to the former legacy system. The success demonstrates ICS BANKS solid and agile architecture and ICSFS’s futuristic approach in utilising the latest innovative technologies to surpass the demands of any bank, of any size.”
ICSFS invests in its software suites by utilising modern technology in launching new products, constructing a secured and agile integration, and keeping pace with new standards and regulations worldwide.
ICS BANKS ISLAMIC is a modular fully integrated solution designed and developed following the principles of Shari’a in compliance with the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).
ICS BANKS software suite future-proof banking activities by providing a broad range of features and capabilities with more agility and flexibility, to enrich customers journey experience, hence improving the trust and confidentiality between the customer and the bank.
ICS BANKS has always been a pioneer in utilising the latest technology to serve financial institutions. In addition to its embedded Service-Oriented-Architecture (SOA), the system can be deployed on premises or on cloud.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has informed its customers that, in compliance with a new directive from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), charges for USSD banking services will no longer be deducted from bank accounts, effective June 3, 2025.
In a notice sent to customers, the bank explained that the charges would now be deducted directly from users’ mobile airtime balances, in line with the NCC’s newly introduced End-User Billing (EUB) framework.
It said the new model aimed to ensure transparency in USSD transactions and shift billing responsibility to mobile network operators.
According to UBA, each USSD session would now cost ₦6.98 per 120 seconds, saying that customers initiating transactions would receive a prompt to provide consent at the start of each session, and airtime would only be debited if the bank is available to process the request.
The bank advised customers who are not comfortable with the new billing arrangement to opt for other digital banking alternatives such as the UBA mobile app and internet banking platform, which remain fully operational and user-friendly.
UBA reaffirmed its commitment to providing secure and accessible digital services, and encouraged customers to choose the channel that best suits their banking needs.
The policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s digital banking ecosystem and is expected to address longstanding disputes over USSD service charges between telecom operators and financial institutions.
E-Financial
Fitch Upgrades Fidelity Bank’s National Rating to ‘A+(nga)’, Affirms Long-Term IDR at ‘B’
Global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has affirmed Fidelity Bank Plc’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B’ and upgraded its National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(nga)’ from ‘A(nga)’.
The upgrade, announced on May 29, 2025, reflects the bank’s strengthened capital buffers and improved profitability, signaling continued positive momentum in its performance.
According to Fitch, the rating upgrade is underpinned by Fidelity Bank’s successful capital raise through a rights issue and public offer, as well as a notable improvement in profitability—driven by higher interest income and a stable base of low-cost current and savings deposits.
Commenting on the announcement, Managing Director/CEO of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said, “This upgrade by Fitch Ratings affirms the resilience of our business model, the strength of our risk management practices, and our unwavering focus on delivering sustainable value to stakeholders.
Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, we have continued to maintain strong asset quality, solid profitability, and ample liquidity. This recognition reinforces our position as one of Nigeria’s most resilient and customer-focused financial institutions.”
One of the key drivers of the improved rating is the bank’s robust capitalization. Fitch reports that Fidelity’s Fitch Core Capital (FCC) ratio rose to 29.9% at the end of 2024—well above the regulatory minimum. The agency also noted that further capital raising efforts are expected to position the bank to meet the ₦500 billion minimum capital requirement for internationally licensed banks before the 2025 deadline.
Fidelity Bank’s market positioning remains strong. As Nigeria’s sixth-largest bank, it commands approximately 5% of total banking sector assets. The bank’s balance sheet is reinforced by a high proportion of low-cost deposits, which accounted for 93% of total deposits as of year-end 2024—among the highest in the Nigerian banking industry.
The affirmation and upgrade by Fitch is expected to enhance investor confidence and support Fidelity’s continued efforts to scale its operations both locally and internationally.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited.
In a circular issued in Abuja, yesterday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager.
“The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is not registered to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market.”
SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market.
“The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment.
“The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s portal before transacting with them,” the SEC added.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law.
Agama said, “we will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance.”
Agama also emphasized the Commission’s education-focused strategy to combat fraud through podcasts, digital campaigns, and the introduction of capital market literacy in schools and universities, the SEC aims to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to detect and avoid dubious investments.
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