Business
Stanbic IBTC Restates Commitment to Improve Multi-sectoral Nigerian Businesses
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has expressed its unwavering commitment to improving and supporting Nigerian businesses across all sectors, the organisation said in an official launch and media briefing to unveil its proposition for businesses of different sizes and across different sectors
The leading end-to-end financial services provider revealed a bouquet of offerings that cater to businesses in all sectors, locally and internationally. These offerings are innovative financial solutions across the agribusiness, education, engineering, trade, commerce, telecoms, manufacturing, healthcare, maritime, real estate, oil and gas financing, debt capital markets, equity capital markets, principal finance solutions, and equity capital markets, amongst other sectors, and are for businesses of all sizes from SMEs to national and multinational companies operating in these sectors.
The unveiling ceremony showcased the need to partner Nigerian businesses and support them through their challenges and demonstrated the limitless solutions and possibilities via collaboration. The Executive Director, Business and Commercial Clients, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu, stated that the organisation is repositioning to reflect the Nigerian local and international business scene while creating solutions that address the growth challenges affecting Nigerian businesses.
He said: “We know that some businesses struggle because they think they can grow alone, but the truth is no business can survive without the right partner. We are glad that we are positioned as an experienced financial partner to support business growth”.
The main idea behind our launch is to showcase all the financial solutions, including advisory services that businesses can take advantage of to meet their growth aspirations, especially in the face of the current challenging operating terrain. Stanbic IBTC’s solutions are thoughtfully created to meet the needs of business across diverse sectors.” according to Remy, “one of our solutions, the Africa-China Trade Solution (ACTS), facilitates trade dealings, imports, and exports with China. Our customers in that line of business are covered because it grants African enterprises access to new markets, expands their customer base, and creates a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and the rest of the Asian continent.”
Speaking on strategic solutions for Corporates, Eric Fajemisin, Executive Director Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, said “We strive to be a valued and trusted partner to our clients, by offering opportunities and risk management strategies . As a member of the Standard Bank Group, we leverage our 160 years heritage, fit-for-purpose representation outside Africa, and a strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to provide tailored solutions to our clients. We connect our clients to opportunities across Africa and beyond through our proven experience in emerging markets, local insight and our on-the-ground presence in 20 countries in Africa”.
He said, Our Global Markets team offer a range of trading and risk management solutions across different asset classes in the financial markets, including foreign exchange positions, interest rate protection, and hedges in the Equities and Commodities market. Our Investment Banking team provide a full suite of advisory and financing solutions, from term lending to highly structured and specialised products across the equity and debt capital markets. Our Transactional Products and Services team provides a range of transactional solutions, including cash management, international trade, and custodial and securities services, primarily across Africa. Our Client Coverage team is made up of specialist relationship managers that work to develop clients business and aspirations, and in turn link them to the full capabilities of Stanbic IBTC, and our specialist products. In this way, we provide all the operational support, insight, and personalised service needed to profitably scale the business”
The TV commercials unveiled during the event spoke to the limitless possibilities of business solutions offered by the organisation to all its clients.
Stanbic IBTC reiterates its dedication to equipping entrepreneurs and businesses with beneficial facilities for their growth and the expansion of the nation’s economy.
Sterling Bank, on Wednesday, announced the removal of account maintenance fees on all personal accounts, describing the decision as a “gift” to Nigerians in celebration of the country’s 65th Independence Day.
The decision, which follows the abolition of transfer fees on local online transactions in April 2025, was outlined in a statement shared by the bank. The bank said the policy would allow customers to keep more of their earnings, framing it as a step toward financial freedom.
“Every fee we remove is one less barrier between our customers and true financial freedom. This was the rationale behind eliminating transfer fees in April, and it is the same principle we uphold as we eliminate account maintenance fees,” Sterling Bank’s Managing Director, Abubakar Suleiman, said.
The statement highlighted that in 2024 alone, tier-1 banks in Nigeria earned over ₦650 billion from account maintenance and e-banking charges. “This decision cuts at the heart of a revenue model that has long cost Nigerian customers dearly,” the bank noted.
Obinna Ukachukwu, Sterling’s Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking, said the initiative was intended to strengthen long-term relationships with customers. “This initiative is about building lasting relationships that fuel sustainable growth. We put transparency and customer value first, and in doing so, we are building a foundation that serves both our customers and Sterling’s future,” he said.
Sterling Bank also framed the removal of fees as part of a broader strategy to make banking more inclusive and customer-focused. The April 2025 transfer fee abolition had already eliminated charges on all local online transactions, easing costs for individuals and small businesses. At the time, Ukachukwu described the move as a values-driven decision aimed at ensuring fair access to money.
“Access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty. This is more than a financial decision—it’s about redefining banking to put customers first,” Ukachukwu said.
The latest move aligns with Sterling’s positioning as a bank committed to transparency, customer value, and digital innovation, and it signals a continued effort to reshape banking practices in Nigeria.
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc has reported a profit before tax of N600.9 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2025.
The figure is contained in the company’s audited consolidated and separate financial statements, which were released to the Nigerian Exchange Group and the London Stock Exchange.
The group stated that the performance was driven by growth in core earnings lines, including interest income and fee income, which rose year-on-year by 31.5% and 33.0%, respectively.
It explained that the growth helped to cushion the absence of N493.01 billion in fair value gains recorded in 2024, resulting in a 40 per cent decline.
GTCO stated that its total assets stood at N16.7 trillion, while shareholders’ funds totaled N3.0 trillion during the review period.
It added that its balance sheet remained strong, diversified, and de-risked across operating jurisdictions, as well as its payments, pension, and funds management businesses.
The group disclosed that its Capital Adequacy Ratio closed at 36.2 per cent, while asset quality improved with IFRS 9 Stage 3 loans declining to 3.2 per cent.
At the group level, Stage 3 loans stood at 4.5 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent in December 2024.
Similarly, the cost of risk improved to 1.7 per cent from 4.9 per cent recorded in December 2024.
The company stated that its net loan book increased by 20.5 per cent, from N2.79 trillion in December 2024 to N3.36 trillion in June 2025.
Deposit liabilities also increased by 16.6 per cent from N10.40 trillion to N12.13 trillion during the same period.
The board of GTCO approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per share for the half year ended June 30, 2025.
Commenting on the results, Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, said the half-year performance reflected business strength and progress towards building a diversified financial services ecosystem.
He said beyond last year’s extraordinary one-off gains, the group was now driving sustainable growth with recurring earnings that demonstrated the resilience and scalability of its model.
Mr Agbaje noted that continued investment in technology, particularly in core banking upgrades, was delivering stronger uptime, efficiency, and greater capacity to scale with a growing customer base.
He added that across banking, funds management, pension, and payments, GTCO was leveraging a de-risked balance sheet to reinforce its market position while maintaining strategic flexibility. According to him, this foundation positions the group to seize emerging opportunities and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders.
Mr Agbaje stressed that GTCO had continued to post some of the best metrics in Nigeria’s financial services industry in terms of key financial ratios. He said the group recorded Pre-Tax Return on Equity of 60.4 per cent, Pre-Tax Return on Assets of 10.6 per cent, Capital Adequacy Ratio of 36.2 per cent, and Cost-to-Income ratio of 30.1 per cent.
NAN
In line with its commitments of promoting sports and developmental initiatives at all levels, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is partnering the organizers of the first of its kind E1 Lagos GP an all-electric powerboat racing championship, set to hold between the 3rd and 5th of October 2025.
Disclosing this at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion session in Lagos recently, Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication of FirstBank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that engender human development across the country while cementing legacies.
“Our involvement in the E1 Lagos GP is about driving legacy and enabling the passions and aspirations that unite Nigerians. We are a bank that has been in business for over 131 years and we recognize that sports drives us as a country, which is why through our First@Sports initiative, we continue to invest in platforms that inspire and elevate our people. We have been supporting legacy sport tournaments like the Georgian Polo Cup which we have hosted for 105 years, and the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship for 64 years now,” Ijabiyi said.
With the event slated for the start of the fourth quarter, FirstBank is aligning its partnership with the annual DecemberIssaVybe initiative, a campaign that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Nigerians during the festive season by curating unforgettable experiences that blend culture, entertainment and lifestyle. “FirstBank is deeply woven into the fabric of society and the lives of our customers. As presenting partner, we are creating meaningful touchpoints with customers and prospects, offering them a world-class experience of relaxation and celebration that captures the true essence of Lagos during the festive season,” he added.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who was also at the event, described the initiative as an event that will grow not just the sports but also showcase Lagos’s vibrant culture, dynamic people, and global relevance, while commending FirstBank for their support.
The teams owned by notable stars like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, Rafael Nadal will compete in the Lagos leg before the 2025 season of the competition terminates in Miami in the United States.
