E-Financial
Wema Bank Commences N39.95bn Rights Issue
Wema Bank Plc has commenced its rights issue to raise about N39.95 billion from its existing shareholders. According to information released to the media, subscription for the rights issue commenced on Monday, December 11, 2023, and will conclude on Friday, December 29, 2023.
The financial institution is offering a total of 8,572,103,573 ordinary shares of 50kobo each at N4.66 per share on the basis of two shares for every three shares held as at September 28, 2023. This amounts to N39.95 billion rights issue.
The stock price of Wema bank closed yesterday at N5.19 per share, meaning that a shareholder who partake in the exercise is getting it at a discount of N0.53 per share.
The stock price of Wema bank opened for trading this year at N3.90 per share and it has gained N1.29 per share or 33.1per cent Year-till-Date (YtD) growth.
Interested shareholders would be able to partake in the rights issue by taking up two new ordinary shares for every three ordinary shares held as of the close of business on September 28, 2023.
The shares to be taken up by qualifying investors will rank pari-pasu in all respects with the issued ordinary shares of Wema Bank.
The lead issuing house for the transaction is Greenwich Merchant Bank, while the joint issuing house if Qualinvest Capital Limited.
Mr. Tunde Mabawonku, the Executive Director, Retail and Digital Business, who was the Chief finance officer of the bank had said the bank would utilise the raised capital to drive growth phase for the bank and accelerate improvements in the share price, deepen value creation, increase credit creation, increase digital play with technology acquisition and increase geographic expansion.
“Others include deploy one stop digital platform to strengthen digital play for the bank, increased customer acquisition and retention in the youth, SME and financial excluded segments and include valuation of financial services business because of improved size,” Mabawonku said.
The lender is expected to utilized 67.94 per cent of the funds from the exercise to deepen its retail and commercial loan portfolio for 13 months, 21.88 per cent to be used by the bank to increase its lending capacity to the SME sector for 15 months, 8.21 per cent would be earmarked to improve IT infrastructure to strengthen the company’s digital play (ALAT) for 10 months, while 1.97 per cent would be used for the rights issue as processing fees.
Amid domestic and external macroeconomy challenges, Wema Bank continued to sustained its growth trajectory in 2023 unaudited result & accounts and it is expected to surpassed analysts, and shareholders expectation in the year under view.
The Nigeria’s first digital bank has continued its growth trajectory and momentum across all key performance indicators and it is poised to shareholders return and stock price appreciation.
Wema Bank hits all-time high in profit before tax and profit in third quarter (Q3) ended September 30, 2023, driven by 59.08 per cent increase in gross earnings, and 168.53 per cent growth in other income.
Targeting N22.5billion profit before tax in 2023 financial year (FY), Wema Bank reported N22.15billion in Q3 2023, an increase of 133.86per cent from N9.46 billion reported in Q3 2022.
The financial institution in 2022FY performance declared N14.88billion profit before tax from N12.28billion in 2021FY. In 2020FY, it reported N5.93billion profit before tax from N6.76billion in 2019FY and N4.8billion profit before tax in 2018FY.
Profit after tax also increased significantly in Q3 2023 to N18.88 billion from N8.19billion in Q3 20222, another milestone achievement for the current management of Wema Bank.
In 2022FY, Wema Bank declared N11.35billion profit, representing an increase of about 27.17per cent from N8.93billion reported in 2021FY.
With the growth in profit, the group’s Return on Average Equity increased to 29.32 per cent in Q3 2023, highest so far in the history of the lender. The 2023FY guidance is 20 per cent.
However, the impressive performance in the period back by N151.69billion gross earnings in Q3 2023, an increase of 59.08 per cent from N95.35billion in Q3 2022.
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.
- E-Business2 days ago
FG Invests $40m in Intercept Technology, $583m in Surveillance- S4C
- News1 day ago
FG Launches Amnesty to Allow Deposits of Forex outside Banking System
- Telecom2 days ago
NCC Waxes Worriedly as Telcos Lose Billions to Vandalism, Theft
- E-Financial2 days ago
CBN Puts Nigerian Adults with Certified Bank Accounts @ 54m
- E-Financial2 days ago
SEC to Include Cybersecurity, AI in Curriculum Review – DG
- Telecom2 days ago
Telcos Key to Bridging Financial Gaps, Fostering Inclusion – MTN’s Tobe Okigbo
- Telecom1 day ago
Google Grants Nigeria N2.8Bn for Al Development to Advance Digital Economy
- E-Business1 day ago
Coins Launches to Empower Nigerians in Diaspora with Affordable Remittances