Business

Inside Sources Reveal True Situation at Polaris Bank Limited, Clarify Falsehood and Media Attacks against Bank

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2023

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Sources within Polaris Bank Limited have revealed the true situation in the financial institution that a section of the media has falsely spun around.

According to the sources, there is no such thing as a controversy trailing the Bank, as the reaction within the financial institution stems from some staff’s inability to understand and accept positive and productive changes in the Bank’s operation.
Speaking exclusively with this medium, one of the sources who pleaded anonymity noted that when the new investors acquired Polaris Bank Limited, they set new goals and objectives to drive it to a greater height.

He added that strategies put in place to achieve these set targets are what some of the Bank’s staff are kicking against because it’s a change from the status quo.

“As you know, there are some basic things when a new owner acquires a business, be it a bank or whatever, he examines the profit and loss channels associated with such company and tries to promote the successful sides while eliminating the negative sides. It is all in a bid to boost profitability.

“In the case of Polaris Bank, what has happened is simple, the new owners want to avoid a run-of-the-mill approach to managing the Bank because they have seen where such leads. They have brought in their wealth of experience and are plucking the worms that are feeding fat on the Bank so that it can become a profitable entity; this is what is leading to the hues and cries you are hearing from some aggrieved staff of the Bank who are now doing their banking on social media pages.

“Polaris Bank operates with the best standard and corporate governance you could imagine.

” change and Innovation are often frowned upon, but the truth is that Polaris Bank is witnessing its best years in a very long time with this new management, they are trying and will do better. It is those who have been exploiting the Bank and have now found out that their channels of exploitation are being threatened that are causing trouble where there is none,” the source noted.

Another source within the Bank who gave his name as Tosin Mohammed (Not his Real Name) noted that it is a shame that people considered enlightened and exposed would feign ignorance of the situation they know about.

According to him, some of the Bank’s staff obtained loans and have refused to serve them because of the Bank’s magnanimity. Attempts by the Bank to recoup these monies have seen them shouting blue murder. Indeed, some staff have sorted their case out while others are genuinely working on recovering the loans. Of course, some weak minded staff resorted to sponsoring social media stories to bend the hand of the management of the bank.

“Talks that individuals and enterprises are taking their money away from the Bank to other banks is a big lie, as Polaris Bank is in the best condition it has ever been in a long while,” Mohammed concluded.

In October 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold Polaris Bank to Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL).

On the accusations of staff accrued Uber expenses being taken at once by the new management, a source privy to the inner workings disclosed that Audit revealed an abuse of the process where some Managers were using Uber on public holidays and unauthorized hours.

On late meetings, the source explained that although there are frequent meetings but not late meetings. ‘”Of course, what do you expect when new management comes on board, you expect Strategy sessions, meetings, retreats, Monthly and Quarterly reviews to discuss vision, business plans, and performance.” It is nothing new, he averred.

The source further explained that most of the unfounded negatives pushed around against the Bank are likely from staff currently being investigated for various infractions and being questioned.

“What of some staff who actually colluded with customers to avail loans only to abscond to foreign countries”. He concluded that there is a new order trying to put things right for the good of the Bank.

Since the constitution of the Bank’s new board, Polaris has hit the ground running, enthroning a new work culture and improving its earnings. It has also been celebrated with several awards, including the ‘MSME Bank of the Year 2022’ in the BusinessDay’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, Best Digital Bank: VULTe by Nigeria Fintech Award, and African Digital Bank of the Year presented by African Leadership Award.

Business

ACCESS BANK (SL) LTD STRENGTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH KEY BOARD APPOINTMENTS, NAMES NEW CHAIRMAN

Published

20 hours ago

May 13, 2024

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Bank Sierra Leone Ltd (‘Access Bank (SL) Ltd’) has announced the appointment of new executives to its Board of Directors (‘the Board’), further strengthening its leadership team and advancing the implementation of its growth and transformation strategy.

These appointments also reflect the Bank’s commitment to fostering growth and development while maintaining the highest standards of governance and stewardship.

Joining the Board as Non-Executive Directors are Maurice Nathaniel Cole, Nsikak N. Usoro, Michala Mackay, Ibrahim Khalil Lamin, and Kolawole Augustine Ajimoko.

The appointees boast a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors, including banking, telecommunications, corporate governance, compliance, and finance. Their combined experience and vision will contribute to shaping the future trajectory of Access Bank (SL) Ltd.

Cole will serve as Chairman, following the exit of Alice Marie Onomake and will bring his experience to the fore as Access Bank (SL) Ltd works to consolidate its market position and deliver value for all its stakeholders.

“We are thrilled to welcome our new executives to Access Bank (SL) Ltd,” said Ganiyu Sanni, Country Managing Director, Access Bank Sierra Leone Ltd. “Their leadership and vision will be invaluable as we navigate through challenges and pursue sustained success. We extend our gratitude to outgoing Chairman, Alice Marie Onomake, and Non-Executive Director, Aminata B. Dumbuya, for their dedicated service and contributions to the Bank.”

Access Bank (SL) Ltd remains committed to excellence, transparency, and accountability as it embarks on this exciting new chapter. The Bank looks forward to leveraging the collective expertise of its leadership team to drive innovation, foster growth, and create lasting impact for its customers and communities.

Business

Access Holdings Vests 23.8 million Units of Shares on Senior Executives

Published

6 days ago

May 8, 2024

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

In line with the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Access Holdings Plc , Africa’s leading financial services group, has announced the award of 23.8 million ordinary shares to some of its senior executives and executives of Access Bank, its flagship subsidiary.

This is in pursuant of the terms of its shareholders approved Employees Performance Share Plan.

Bolaji Agbede, the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, and six others were vested with 23,883,790 units of the Group’s shares, worth a combined N427.13 million.

This was disclosed via notices duly filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday.

According to the filings, Ogbonna got the highest amount of shares totalling 12,345,679 units and worth N220.37 million, having been traded at N17.85 per share.

Agbede was vested with 2,216,992 units of shares, valued at N39.795 million.

Other directors, who had shares vested include Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank, with 1,234,568 worth N22.16 million; Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, Executive Director, Commercial and Investment Banking Division, Access Bank, with 1,691,308 at N17.95 per share.

Her vested shares are valued at N30.36 million, and Chizoma Okoli, Access Bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Retail South, who got 1,728,395 units valued at N30.85 million.

Dr Gregory Jobome, Executive Director, Risk Management, and Hadiza Ambursa, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, were each vested with 1,728,395 valued at N30.85 and N31.02m respectively.

Access Holdings’ Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, was vested with 1,210,058 units of the Group’s shares worth N21.72m.

The shares were vested on May 3rd and May 6th.

The vesting of the shares is not a purchase or sale transaction in the context of the Exchange’s Rules.

Business

Owen Omogiafo, Transcorp Group President Makes MIPAD’s Global Top 100 List, As Company Posts Impressive Q1 Results

Published

7 days ago

May 7, 2024

august24admin

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Dr. Owen D. Omogiafo, OON President/GCEO of Transcorp Group, has been recognized as one of the most influential people of African descent (MIPAD)’s Global Top 100 Futurist & Innovators List.

The list recognises individuals who have made remarkable contributions to shaping the future and pioneering innovative solutions within their respective fields.

The announcement of the recognition comes as Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) released its Q1 2024 results, which showed impressive growth on all indices. Profit before tax (PBT) grew year-on-year (YoY) by 1,475 percent to N45.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1’24) from N2.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

The company also reported a 173 percent YoY growth in revenue to N88.6 billion in Q1’24 from N32.4 billion in Q1’ 23.

The Company’s continuous growth and impressive results year after year are testament to Omogiafo’s visionary leadership.

Transcorp Group has experienced significant growth and expansion under Omogiafo’s leadership having taken up leadership during a difficult time, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, she has led the Group and its subsidiaries, including Transcorp Power, Transafam Power and Transcorp Hotels Plc back to the path of exponential growth and profitability.

Transcorp Group’s shares ended 2023 as one of the best-performing stocks of the year. The impressive growth has continued in 2024.

Dr. Owen Omogiafo’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility has made a positive impact on the lives of millions of people across Africa, in line with Transcorp Group’s purpose of improving lives and transforming Africa.

The MIPAD recognition, is therefore, timely, as Omogiafo’s Transcorp releases another impressive result, reinforcing the Company’s position as a leading conglomerate in the country, and highlighting Owen Omogiafo’s transformational leadership.

The MIPAD recognition is a global initiative that identifies and celebrates outstanding individuals of African descent who are making a positive impact in their communities and the world at large. Dr. Omogiafo’s inclusion in this prestigious list is a well-deserved honour, acknowledging her tireless efforts to drive economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability in Africa.

The Transcorp President has been recognised by many local and international bodies for her contributions to Nigeria and Africa’s socio-economic growth, including a national award which was bestowed on her by the Federal Government of Nigeria last year.