•Set to allot N40 billion rights issue
Wema Bank Plc said it has successfully concluded the first tranche of its recapitalisation exercise having secured all relevant regulatory approvals for the allotment of its N40 billion rights issue, which was initiated in December 2023.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in March 2024, launched a recapitalisation programme requiring commercial banks to raise fresh capital in alignment with the minimum requirement for their respective banking licences within a 24-month timeline spanning from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026.
The goal of this recapitalisation programme is to boost the Nigerian economy and strengthen the Nigerian financial services industry.
Ahead of the directive, Wema Bank, in December 2023, launched a N40 billion rights issue, which has been approved by the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
With the development, Wema Bank has now successfully raised the first tranche of its plan in the minimum requirement laid down by the CBN.
In a statement, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Moruf Oseni, reiterated the bank’s resolve to retain its commercial banking licence with national authorisation, adding that the N40 billion rights issue is a step in that direction.
“We are delighted to announce the conclusion of the first tranche of our Capital Raise Programme, after obtaining the relevant approvals of all regulatory authorities. Our move to commence our capital raise programme very early demonstrates our push for excellence and with a strong emphasis on our digital play; we are set to amass more successes in the coming months.
“We were impressed by the vote of confidence given by our shareholders during the first rights issue exercise as our shares were fully subscribed. In addition, we obtained the approval of shareholders at our 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise an additional N150 billion to meet the capitalisation threshold set by the CBN.
“The process is expected to be completed within 12-18 months. We are committed to providing optimum returns for every stakeholder and the successful conclusion of this N40bn Rights Issue is a bold step in the right direction,” he said.
Wema Bank’s corporate rating was recently upgraded to BBB+ by the pan African credit rating agency, Agusto and Co, and retained at BBB by international rating agency, Fitch.
Over the medium to long term, Wema Bank is positioned to not only dominate the digital Banking space but also the Nigerian financial services industry at large as it translates its industry leadership to significant market share.
