Second Pay Rise In 90 Days UBA Improves Staff Welfare in Quick Response to Rising Cost of Living
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritise the welfare of its staff and their families reflecting the current economic realities and its impact on living conditions.
To this end, the bank’s Board of Directors have announced the implementation of a cost of living adjustment for its staff effective immediately
The bank said that over the past few months, it has been closely monitoring the effect of the rising cost of living on its employees and recognises the importance of addressing these challenges proactively.
It is interesting to note that even when the bank had previously implemented cost of living adjustment for staff on October 1, 2021 and more recently on April 1, 2023, the persistent economic challenges faced by employees and the broader society as a whole, informed the unanimous decision to again implement another adjustment.
Also in line with its commitment to promote staff for excellent performance every year, UBA had in March 2023, announced the promotion of over 1,500 staff across Africa, and had also elevated close to 1,000 staff in 2022.
UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who made the announcement, said, “We are aware of the impact of recent economic policy pronouncements on prices and your capacity to meet your financial commitments to family and personal needs. As an organisation focused on the well-being of our people, I am pleased to inform you that the Board of UBA Plc has approved a Welfare Allowance for all employees.”
Alawubaexplained that the decision to adjust the staff’s remuneration package once again demonstrates UBA’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the standard of living for its employees at a level that is commensurate with prevailing economic conditions.
“This move will serve to alleviate the financial burdens faced by our staff and their families, reinforcing the bank’s position as a responsible and caring employer,” he explained.
He took time out to appreciate the staff for their effort and dedication and hard work of its employees, which remains the bedrock of its success, as he noted that the bank recognises the critical role played by its workforce in navigating challenges and ensuring the continued growth of the institution.
“My profound appreciation to you for your commitment to our corporate goals and adherence to our core values, as demonstrated in our remarkable half-year 2023 results. By enhancing staff welfare, we aim to boost employee morale and foster a conducive and rewarding work environment that empowers employees to thrive both personally and professionally,” the GMD added.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees’ group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
Fostering Equality and Empowerment: Wema Bank Gives Economic Lift To Employees
In the Nigerian banking industry, Wema Bank, Plc is widely acknowledged to be a leader in the realms of innovation and technology, and for constantly seeking to provide seamless financial services to its teeming customers, but is the financial powerhouse a champion of its employees’ best interests? Yes, the most recent testament to Wema’s commitment to establishing a thriving workplace culture is its announcement of a groundbreaking increase in salaries for its staff.
This momentous decision not only showcases the bank’s dedication to employee welfare and well-being but should also resonate deeply with its community as ripples of elation have been set off through the organization.
Wema Bank’s move to increase the salaries of its staff, especially given the current economic rigors, has undoubtedly struck a chord with employees. By addressing the financial needs of its workforce, Wema Bank is affirming its belief in the value of every individual’s contribution, regardless of their employment status; It is one which fosters a sense of belonging in its staff, ensuring that each member feels like an integral part of the bank’s success story.
Indeed, the impact of this salary increase bears more than mere numbers on a pay slip: employees are experiencing a renewed sense of motivation and dedication to their roles, knowing that their hard work is genuinely recognized and rewarded. There are new levels of morale, leading to enhanced productivity, improved teamwork, and reduced turnover rates. Significantly, Wema Bank is creating a more harmonious and dynamic work environment where the creativity and innovation for which it is acclaimed, flourish the more.
Wema Bank understands that its employees are its most valuable asset, and by providing a competitive and fair remuneration package, the organization aims to attract and retain top talents in the industry.
Wema Bank’s vision extends beyond its bottom line; with this salary increase for its staff, the bank expects the ripple effect of positive change to extend to the wider industry and world of work. Wema Bank’s unwavering support for its employees lies at the heart of this expected transformation.
Beyond financial incentives though, the bank provides ample opportunities to its workers for personal and professional growth by nurturing a culture of learning and development.
By setting a precedent for employee-centric practices, Wema Bank aims to encourage other financial institutions to prioritize the well-being of their staff through the establishing of similarly empathetic and compassionate working environments.
The economic upliftment of its workforce is further proof that Wema Bank is an organization that is attuned to the needs and peculiarities of every segment of its community. By paving the way for a more compassionate and people-focused industry, this Wema Bank initiative should leave an indelible mark on the world of banking and beyond.
LEADERSHIP AND FIRSTBANK’S SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONING TO ‘CLICK’ BANKING
In December 2015, the share price of First Bank of Nigeria Limited was trading around N4.8 band. About seven years later, precisely last December, the value held tightly to N15, growing by over threefold amid general asset and economic doldrums.
The steep rise in the valuation of the financial institution deviates remarkably from the average performance of FUGAZ, an acronym describing the top five Nigerian banks by market capitalisation. In the past seven years, the share prices of the leading banks appreciated by an average of 90 per cent as against over 200 per cent growth seen in FirstBank.
Deflated by the bank’s exceptional performance, Access Holdings, GTCO, UBA and Zenith stocks posted about 60 per cent growth. The performance of the entire banking sector also flattens out when compared with FirstBank, which raises questions about the fundamentals of the bank and its growth trajectory.
In terms of inflation-adjusted return on investment, FirstBank shareholders are among the investors that emerged from the turbulent years with a positive real rate of return. Was it a stroke of luck? Does the market reward poor performance?
Of course, stocks sometimes thrive on mere greater fool theory, thus triggering an asset bubble. But the positive share movement of the premier bank is but only one of the many high growth indicators.
In first quarter of 2023, the bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio came down far below the five per cent regulatory threshold, which means so much difference when placed in a historical context. As at December 2015, its NPL ratio was over 45 per cent, a telling reflection of the level of effort that went into cleaning its books in the intervening years. For analysts, the cleanup, which was done without raising fresh capital, explains what disciplined, focused and forthright leadership could achieve.
On cleanup process, the Bank CEO, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, said the institution was “its self-created AMCON”, referring to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria set up in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to buy up the threatening toxic assets of Nigerian banks.
Indeed, what the management of the bank has done in the past seven years is not remarkably different from the role of AMCON, since its creation in 2011, except that the former raised fresh capital for its humongous responsibility whereas the bank did not. Also, the FirstBank experience was internal; and it did face a tougher task in terms of the proportion of its assets that had gone bad.
At the height of the financial crisis in 2008/2009, the NPL ratio rose to 37.3 per cent, from 9.9 per cent on record in 2007. On the other hand, the premier bank was carrying over 45 per cent NPL on its book as at January when Adeduntan took the reins of its leadership as the managing director.
All through the process, the bank did not raise fresh capital for the housecleaning programme, meaning the shareholders’ value was not diluted in the process.
Investors may have also kept in view other impressive qualitative metrics such as pre-tax return on equity (RoE), a measure of net income in proportion to shareholders’ equity, which moved from 0.6 to 17.3 per cent at the end of last year’s financial cycle. Also, pre-tax Return on Asset (RoA) climbed from 0.1 to 1.6 per cent while the cost of risk was also down to 1.7 per cent last year, from 10 per cent recorded in its 2015 financial.
At the end of this month, Adeduntan would have spent 7.5 years in office and he would be 30 months short of the tenure limit requirement. Already, he is the longest-serving chief executive of the institution, which is known for its short-term leadership tradition. Casual observers consider him as fortunate, but deep analysts think differently – the bank has been fortunate to have had him.
The lender, which predated ‘Nigeria’, and played the most active financial role in the structuring of the country’s pre- and post-Independence economy, may have just got its groove back under the current management. The books are clean and the NPL is trending downward, faster than the industry average. But beyond, its top and bottom lines are all out of the woods and climbing.
Its total assets, for instance, have increased by 167 per cent in the past seven years, meaning that its asset size has almost tripled, which also outperformed the industry growth. In terms of liquid asset to total asset ratio, it is also ahead of most of its peers. This suggests that while the quality of its assets has increased remarkably, with the NPL ratio falling by 88 per cent in less than a decade, the bank’s asset growth has not stalled, which speaks volumes about the quality of its risk management approach.
Currently, FirstBank had in its portfolio of about 41 million customer accounts, an extraordinary 276 per cent lift from its 2015 record. The figure is about 30 per cent of total bank accounts held by Nigerian banks. Customer depositors also jumped by as much as 153 per cent to 10.6 trillion.
The growth seen is also robbing off on the bottom line with the profit before tax (PAT) increasing by N137 billion in the period. That translates to over 1300 per cent, probably contributing majorly to the sudden spike in the share of the bank.
Perhaps, owing to its long history dating back to when banks were mostly associated with corporate and public sector financial infrastructure, FirstBank was mostly seen as a go-to for savers and borrowers. But that seems to have changed with its many smart digital channels. For its management, that is deliberate.
“Our goal is to transform the bank from lending-based to a transaction-based financial institution,” the chief executive pointed out.
Yes, its transformation is no longer a dream. From zero share of corporate e-bill payments, it has shoved its competitors behind to take hold of 42 per cent of the market. The bank, in the words of its managing director, has pivoted from brick and mortar to “brick and click”, making payment seamless and a click away for individuals, corporate as well as public entities.
“We have built a very formidable trade and cash management platform that we call FirstDirect, which allows corporate banking customers, from the comfort of their home, to initiate a trade transaction and complete it. You have a single view, giving you an interface where you can add your different accounts and transact,” Adeduntan explained.
FirstMobile, a standalone digital bank, has also emerged as a household name in the financial technology ecosystem. In 2015, when the platform was still at its teething age, its users were about 60,000 a number that soared to over six million (a growth of over 10,000 per cent). That has contributed immensely to the changing tradition of banking with FirstBank, as about 85 per cent of its transactions are now initiated via digital windows.
FirstMobile appears to have hit the bull’s eye in the bank’s reinvention drive and effort to appeal to younger demographics. But the platform itself is merely one of the potpourris of telecommunication-driven initiatives it has taken on to get the young depositors on board. FirstOnline users have also grown from about 90,000 to over one million within the timeframe just as its USSD, which targets feature phone users, is even more successful with users increasing by close to 3,000 per cent in seven years to 14.7 million.
Overall, its digital banking has evolved in both volume and public impression. Ease, convenience and reliability have moved the customer base from its tiny 0.6 million to 22 million.
Indeed, FirstBank is transmuting into a transaction-led institution. Last year, the volume of transactions hit 17 million, 8.5 times what it was in 2015 when it experienced some corporate turbulence. But the growth is not only in volume terms, as its non-interest income ratio hit 40.6 per cent for the first time last year, which aligns with the strategic direction of the current management in weaning the group from excessive credit risk exposure.
Over the years, most Nigerian banks have consolidated their global outlook. FirstBank has led the pack with its 40-year United Kingdom subsidiary, which is bigger than some of its competitor wholesale operations back home. But some of the pro-offshore Nigerian banks had been accused of extroversion and ego-seeking as most of the outposts were nothing but cost centres.
In the past few years, the assumption has been deflated; and the performance of the African subsidiaries of FirstBank is among what could be changing the tide. Before the 2015 change of the guard, the subsidiaries’ operations left had created a gaping hole in the PBT of the consolidated account. Last year, they contributed a combined 21.3 per cent to the group’s pre-tax profit.
But that was not because there was no risk out there. In the heat of the Ghanaian government debt crisis, Adeduntan revealed, FirstBank took the least impairment among Nigerian banks that were exposed to the crisis “not because we saw it coming but because we have consistently done the right thing and adopted best risk management practice”.
There is also a humane side to his management approach. Today, FirstBank is among the highest-paying Nigerian banks and offers the most attractive conditions of service, including training, accelerated career growth and many more. In 2021, its efforts were compensated with the Great Place to Work Award. Today, the once-touted conservative bank is attracting young and upwardly mobile professionals with the average age of its employees estimated at 39 years.
Being the longest-serving managing director of the pre-colonial financial behemoth, Adeduntan has the leverage of time and experience to enforce its transformational agenda. But he had also prepared for the job. At KPMG where he co-pioneered the firms’ financial risk management advisory services, he trained in almost all areas of human endeavors – presentation, people management, business writing and all sorts. On assumption of office, he was bold and firm in his decision to headhunt, institute new work culture, clear career growth blockages and challenged the status quo.
His courageous outing in the past seven and half years has transformed an institution once considered one of least prepared for the age of “brick and click” banking into the Usain Bolt of the emerging financial technology space.
Access Bank PLC Expands Global Footprint with launch of French Subsidiary
Access Bank PLC, the flagship company of Access Holdings PLC, has officially launched its subsidiary in Paris, France. The Bank’s operations will focus on trade finance, initially capitalising on flows between Africa and France, particularly Francophone Africa.
Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings PLC, speaking on the purpose of the Bank’s strategic expansion efforts said, “Access Bank PLC, today, has a very strong presence in the United Kingdom, but coming on the heels of Brexit, there was a need for us to establish a presence in another country in Europe and France provides a very strong platform for us to do so. Beyond that, Access Bank has a great presence in the Francophone world that relies significantly – in terms of trade – on France, so, Access Bank in Paris will work to support trade possibilities and trade finance solutions to businesses in those regions, ranging from large conglomerates to SMEs and more.
“Our range of banking products and services will be a valuable asset for businesses looking to trade internationally, while our corporate and investment banking services will help businesses access capital, manage their cash flow, and mitigate risk. Furthermore, we are confident that the Bank’s trade finance solutions will help businesses to navigate the complexities of cross-border trade, and at the same time, our digital capabilities will make banking more convenient and efficient for all our customers,” he reiterated.
Recognising the critical role of the Bank’s various stakeholders in making the expansion drive successful, Wigwe stressed the value of its customers, shareholders, regulators, and the communities it operates.
“Our successes over the years would be footnotes but for the relationships we have fostered with these critical contributors. In recognition of this, we are committed to building long-term partnerships with all our stakeholders in France – based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect,” he added.
Access Bank’s presence in France represents an important step towards achieving its goal of bridging worlds and connecting opportunities for African businesses. The Bank’s latest stride also lays a marker for realising its recently unveiled 5-year strategic growth plan.
“Over the years, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening the Bank’s presence across Africa and beyond,” remarked Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director, Access Bank PLC, at the launch. “Today, we are proud to have a presence in 18 countries across four continents, serving millions of customers and businesses. Indeed, our expansion drive has been guided by our vision to become the world’s most respected African bank, and by building on our strong track record of innovation, customer service, and social responsibility, we have come one step closer to achieving this goal.
“We remain committed to building a bank that is truly global in scope, yet locally relevant in its approach, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to grow and expand our footprint in new markets,” Ogbonna concluded.
Access Bank UK, led by Jamie Simmonds, will oversee the operations of the Paris subsidiary and will effectively become the umbrella company for other representative offices in the country.
With the launch of its operations in France, Access Bank is uniquely positioned to create opportunities for scaled economic growth and development across Africa while helping international investors see the continent as a viable market to do business. To facilitate the flow of capital, goods, and services across borders and support economic growth and development in both regions of focus, the Bank will leverage its expertise in cross-continental trade and its strong network of partners and clients.
WEMA BANK UNVEILS LATEST BRAND JINGLE FOR ALAT BY WEMA
L-R: Sounds of ALAT Judges, Cobhams Asuquo, Alpha Ojini, MD/CEO, Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, Sounds of ALAT, Judge,Omawumi Megbele,Event Host,Tobi Bakre; Head, Brand and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank, Mabel Adeteye; at the bank’s anniversary party held at Harbour Point, Lagos.
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, has unveiled the latest brand jingle for its digital banking application, ALAT by Wema which is set to become an instant hit with customers and music lovers alike. The new jingle is part of the bank’s continuous efforts to connect with its target audience while staying true to its core values of innovation, excellence, and customer satisfaction.
The jingle, which was created by the winner of its Sounds of ALAT competition, Onyelisigwe Bright and produced by one of Nigeria’s biggest talents in the entertainment industry, Cobhams Asuquo, features an upbeat, catchy tune with lyrics that reflect the bank’s commitment to providing top-notch financial services to its customers. It is designed to evoke a sense of positivity, energy, and optimism, reflecting the bank’s vision of a brighter future for all its stakeholders.
Commenting on the new jingle, Wema Bank’s Head of Brand & Marketing Communication, Mabel Adeteye, said: “We are thrilled to unveil our latest brand jingle, which we believe captures the essence of our brand and what we stand for. We wanted a jingle that would resonate with our customers and make them feel proud to be associated with Wema Bank. We are confident that this new jingle will do just that and more.”
The new jingle is already generating buzz on social media, with many customers and music lovers praising its catchy tune and positive message. It will be featured in all the bank’s marketing campaigns, including television and radio commercials, online ads, and social media.
Wema Bank has a long history of innovation and excellence in the Nigerian banking industry, and the new jingle is just the latest example of the bank’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve and delivering value to its customers. Customers can download the jingle.
Wema Bank Launches Upgraded ALAT for Business Digital Banking App
Wema Bank, Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, has launched the upgraded version of its corporate digital banking application, ALAT for Business 2.0. The launch took place on May 3rd, 2023, during the bank’s Digital Week activities themed “Changing The Digital Dynamics In Nigeria” in celebration of the bank’s anniversary.
During the virtual event, Samuel Robson, the Product Owner, expressed his excitement to announce the launch of the new and improved ALAT For Business. He explained that the upgraded version offers an intuitive and seamless experience with enhanced security features and greater functionality. The app’s fresh new look and feel make it more user-friendly and engaging, while the omnichannel experience allows users to access their account from any device with ease.
As a sole proprietor, ALAT for Business 2.0 offers an on-boarding feature to make opening and managing an account easier. The app is also accessible to multiple users, enabling account access sharing with team members or family members and revoking it with ease.
During the virtual event, Oyindamola of Total Data Limited and Dr. Mark of Jendol Superstore shared their positive experiences using the application. They praised the app’s user-friendly interface, which aided the ease of making bulk payments to various vendors and sorting out payroll for various businesses without any hassle.
The Chief Digital Officer, Olusegun Adeniyi, highlighted Wema Bank’s commitment to the future of banking by developing tailored solutions and ensuring the bank covers various verticals beyond the financial ecosystem.
The upgraded ALAT for Business is now available on various app stores, offering an improved user-friendly interface, interbank & intrabank transfers, multiple user accessibility, bulk transfer to over 6,000 accounts, and access to stamped e-statements. ALAT for Business is the financial partner every business owner should have. Wema Bank continues to improve the application, with plans to add artificial intelligence and multi-languages for the Diaspora market and offshore banking, among other improvements.
ZENITH BANK FETES SHAREHOLDERS WITH UNPRECEDENTED DIVIDEND PAYOUT OF N100.47 BILLION
Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, flanked by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Left) and the Company Secretary, Mr. Micheal Otu (Right) during the bank’s 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held virtually from the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday.
At the 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Zenith Bank Plc, held virtually from the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, 2 May 2023, shareholders of the bank unanimously approved the proposed final dividend payment of NGN2.90 per share. This brings the total dividend for the 2022 financial year to NGN3.20 per share, with a total value of NGN100.47 billion.
In his opening statement at the AGM, Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, expressed his gratitude to the shareholders for their unwavering loyalty, commitment, and support, which have been instrumental in the bank’s outstanding performance since its inception.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, extolled the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for establishing the legacy and providing the template for the bank’s continued superior performance. He also highlighted the Board and Management’s determination to maintain the bank’s growth trajectory in the coming years, with an emphasis on digital and retail banking.
Speaking at the AGM, Dr. Faruk Umar, President of the Association of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), commended the Board and Management of Zenith Bank for consistently delivering value to shareholders, despite the challenging economic environment. He also praised the bank’s staff for their loyalty and dedication.
Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President, Shareholders Solidarity Association of Nigeria,expressed delight at the dividend payout and thanked the Board and Management for the outstanding performance that led to approving both an interim and final dividend during the year.
Also speaking, Mrs. Adenike David, National Coordinator of the Esteemed Shareholders Association of Nigeria, congratulated the bank and Chairman on their exceptional performance, as evidenced by the numerous awards received during the 2022 financial year. She also praised the bank for paying an interim dividend of 30 kobo and a final dividend of 2.90 kobo.
Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, Zenith Bank Group achieved a 24% growth in gross earnings, from NGN765.6 billion in the previous year to NGN945.5 billion in 2022. This was driven by a 26% YoY growth in interest income and a 23% YoY growth in non-interest income. Customer deposits grew by 39%, reflecting the bank’s market leadership and customers’ trust. Net-Interest-Margin (NIM) increased from 6.7% to 7.2%, positively impacted by the elevated yield environment. Operating expenses grew by 17% YoY, though still below the inflation rate. Total assets rose by 30%, primarily due to growth in customer deposits.
In 2023, Zenith Bank Group plans to expand its reach and reorganise into a holding company structure, adding new verticals to its businesses and pursuing growth in all chosen markets, locally and internationally.
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Most Innovative Bank of the Year 2019 by Tribune Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2020 by Independent Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.
Wema Bank Celebrates 78th anniversary, ALAT at six
Wema Bank, a leading Nigerian financial institution renowned for its innovative banking solutions and Africa’s first fully digital bank, is set to commemorate its 78th and 6th anniversary with a bang. The week-long celebration, which commences on May 1st, 2023, promises an array of exhilarating activities and competitions open to its employees, clients, and the public.
Kicking off the anniversary week is the virtual launch of ALAT Alumni, a platform for former Knights to rekindle relationships and foster a sense of community that the bank can leverage. In addition, the bank will release a cascade of ALAT balloons into the sky, and participants can take snapshots of the balloons and share them on social media with hashtags like #ALATAt6, #WemaAt78, and #SpotALATInTheAir to stand a chance of winning fantastic prizes.
The highlight of the celebration is the “Sounds of ALAT” competition, which seeks to uncover talented musicians in the entertainment industry and provide them with a platform to showcase their creativity. The victorious entry will become ALAT’s official theme song, and the winners will receive cash rewards of up to five million Naira.
Furthermore, the bank is organizing a balloon hunt for its customers, challenging them to locate balloons spelling out “Wema” and “ALAT” in different locations and post photos on social media using a specific hashtag to stand a chance of winning more prizes.
The festivities will also encompass the launch of the upgraded ALAT for business, the digital bank application for A fully revamped ALAT for Business platform to revolutionize the way business owners manage their business transactions.
Mabel Adeteye, Head of Brand and Marketing Communication Department, expressed her delight about the upcoming anniversary and its events. She added that the bank would dedicate the week to digital services, giving customers the opportunity to experience the convenience of ALAT’s digital banking solutions.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our anniversary with our staff, clients, and the general public. We believe that these events and competitions will provide everyone with an opportunity to participate in the celebration and enjoy ALAT’s innovative banking solutions.”
Moruf Oseni takes over as the MD/CEO of Wema Bank Plc
·…Appointments of Wole Akinleye as Deputy Managing Director, and Tunde Mabawonku as Executive Director also approved by the CBN
Wema Bank MD, Mr Moruf Oseni
Wema Bank Plc hereby announces Moruf Oseni as the substantive Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2023. After serving in acting capacity since January 1, 2023, Oseni will be succeeding Ademola Adebise, following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Oseni’s journey with Wema Bank began in 2012 when he joined as an Executive Director. Before his appointment as MD/CEO, he served as Deputy Managing Director for the last four years, a role where he demonstrated the capacity to lead the bank to even greater heights as it continues to evolve into a financial powerhouse.
With over 25 years of experience, including more than 16 years at senior to executive management levels, Oseni was the MD/CEO of MG Ineso, a principal investment and financial advisory firm. He had also served as Vice President at Renaissance Capital and was an Associate at Schroder Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup Global Markets in London.
Oseni’s credentials speak for themselves, with an MBA from the Institut European d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) in France, a Master’s in Finance (MIF) from the London Business School, and a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). He is also an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program (AMP) of the Harvard Business School and King’s College, Lagos.
In addition to Oseni’s appointment, the CBN also approved the appointments of Wole Akinleye as Deputy Managing Director, and Tunde Mabawonku as Executive Director. Wole Akinleye previously served as the Executive Director in charge of Corporate Banking and the South-West Business, while Tunde Mabawonku served as the Bank’s Chief Finance Officer.
The Board is confident that these new appointments will be crucial to the continued transformation and growth of the Bank as it positions itself as a market leader in Nigeria’s banking industry through technology and innovation.
All appointments are effective from April 1, 2023.
