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

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KPMG Customer Experience Survey lists Polaris Bank as the Most Improved Retail Bank 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

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Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.
The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.
“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.
The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.
Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.
The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.
Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

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Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

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Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank has once again cemented its position as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by winning the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s foremost recognition for impactful community and sustainability initiatives.

The bank was honored at the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, for its unwavering dedication to sustainable development and critical community interventions across Nigeria. The organizers commended Polaris Bank for its consistent efforts to improve lives and foster growth in underserved areas.

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

 

The SERAS Awards, often regarded as the gold standard in sustainability and CSR, celebrate organizations that drive innovation and create lasting societal and environmental benefits. Polaris Bank stood out this year for its extensive portfolio of impactful projects, earning the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award.

Some of the bank’s notable initiatives include:

Sponsoring the planting of 2,000 economic trees in communities like Ajingi, Kano State.
Renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre and donating essential equipment.
Installing boreholes in underserved rural areas to provide clean water access.
Supporting over 15,000 indigent students in public schools with educational resources, including uniforms, sandals, and books.
Providing free breast cancer screenings to 20,000 women over a decade and supporting survivors through retreats.
Establishing hospitals and rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence and vocational centers for women.
Donating ICT labs to skill acquisition centers and promoting financial literacy among students.
Organizing medical outreach programs and aiding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also reduced rural-to-urban migration by making communities more self-reliant and livable.

Rebuilding Community Resilience
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to resilience by rebuilding its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. The bank fully reconstructed and re-equipped the branch, restoring critical banking services and supporting economic recovery in the community.

Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the institution’s dedication to sustainability. “This recognition underscores our deliberate efforts to drive impactful socio-economic interventions and address the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people,” he said.

Lawal reiterated that for Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a destination but a continuous journey of creating positive change.

Celebrating Africa’s Sustainability Leaders
The SERAS Awards brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global sustainability experts to celebrate organizations shaping Africa’s future through innovative solutions. Attendees used the event to connect with like-minded professionals and reaffirm a shared vision of lasting positive change across the continent.

As a trailblazer in sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion solutions to pressing societal challenges.

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Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

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Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

In a bid to ease financial burdens during the holiday season, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N899.50 per litre. This follows a previous price cut to N970 per litre on November 24. The move is aimed at reducing transportation costs for Nigerians as they prepare for festive celebrations.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, disclosed the development in a statement, highlighting additional benefits for consumers. Beyond the price reduction, the refinery is introducing a special credit offer. For every litre of PMS purchased on a cash basis, consumers can buy an additional litre on credit, supported by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.

“To help reduce transport expenses this holiday season, we’re offering PMS at N899.50 per litre and providing a credit option for additional purchases. This is part of our commitment to making high-quality petroleum products accessible to Nigerians,” Chiejina said.

The refinery also reaffirmed its commitment to providing premium-quality, environmentally-friendly fuel, while ending Nigeria’s dependence on substandard imported products.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery is the largest single-train refinery in the world, capable of meeting Nigeria’s entire refined petroleum product demand and generating surplus for export. As the festive season approaches, the company expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support and pledged continued efforts to ease their economic burdens.

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