Business

Stanbic IBTC partners once more with FMDQ OTC PLC in renewal of its NGN100 billion Multicurrency Commercial Paper Programme

Published

8 years ago

June 4, 2017

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC and a member of the Standard Bank Group, has received approval from the FMDQ OTC PLC for the renewal of its shelf registration of N100 Billion Multicurrency Commercial Paper (CP) Programme. The renewal of the Programme, initially established in 2012 in compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines for CP issuance, clearly demonstrates Stanbic IBTC Bank’s commitment to actively contributing towards development of the financial and capital markets in Nigeria.

Only recently, Stanbic IBTC Holdings obtained approval from the FMDQ to register its debut N20 billion CP Programme. Consequently, Stanbic IBTC Holdings has the distinct advantage of accessing the CP market for bespoke funding needs in a timely fashion, as and when favourable market conditions arise.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, Dr Demola Sogunle, said that the renewal of the N100 Billion Multicurrency Commercial paper is in line with the bank’s strategic drive to promote alternative capital sources including debt financing.

Pursuant to these approvals, both Programmes shall be included on the Quotations List of the FMDQ, and all relevant information on the CP Programme uploaded to the FMDQ website. Stanbic IBTC Bank intends to resume regular issuance under its CP Programme imminently, as part of the bank’s overall assets and liabilities management strategy. Notes issued under the Programme shall also be updated to the Quotations page of the FMDQ website after which they will be admitted to, and eligible for trading on, the platform. In contrast, Stanbic IBTC Holdings is not immediately contemplating a transaction.

Stanbic IBTC Bank and other members of the Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC group of companies have had a longstanding history of partnership and promotion of capital markets development with the FMDQ. Stanbic IBTC Bank is one of the 24 Commercial and Merchant Banks who are part owners and stakeholders of the FMDQ. The Bank joined the platform in 2011 and has been an active partner since. Stanbic IBTC Bank was the first issuer to register a CP Programme and quote CP notes on the FMDQ platform in 2014. The Stanbic IBTC Bank CP Programme is also notable for being the first and only CP Programme to have been renewed on the FMDQ platform.

As a leading, and credible self-regulatory organization and securities exchange in Nigeria, FMDQ is recognised for its role in promoting development of the Nigerian capital markets, and deepening secondary market liquidity, thus bringing Nigeria closer in alignment with international best practice. FMDQ is also well known for upholding the highest standards of integrity in the markets under its purview.

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, is a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management. Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belongs, is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 key sub-Saharan countries and other emerging markets. Standard Bank has been in operation for over 154 years and is focused on building first-class on-the-ground financial institutions in chosen countries in Africa, and connecting selected emerging markets to Africa by applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, power and infrastructure.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

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.

Bank

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

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.

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.