E-Financial
Cooling Inflation Opens Doors to Rate Cut in the Distant Future

By Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst at FXTM,
In an encouraging development, Nigeria’s inflation eased to 11.31% in February, down from the 11.37% recording in January, despite increased government spending.
While it remains too early to suggest the possibility of a rate cut anytime soon, consistent signs of cooling inflation this year should encourage the CBN to act by the final quarter of 2019. The initial argument against a CBN rate cut was the fact that the Federal Reserve was on an aggressive hiking path. A potential rate cut by the Central Bank of Nigeria was seen to be widening the interest rate differentials between the Naira and Dollar. However, with the Fed seen leaving rates unchanged for an extended period of time and even possibly cutting rates by year-end, the CBN may be offered a window of opportunity to stimulate economic growth further by cutting rates.
Will the Fed provide a further boost to equities?
U.S. stocks posted their best weekly performance last week, sending the S&P 500 above the critical resistance level of 2,815. Equity bulls may see the break of the technical resistance as an indicator of further expected gains, especially given the CBOE’s Volatility Index “VIX” has fallen to its lowest level since October 2018. Two factors have driven equity investors’ optimism: hopes of a resolution in the ongoing U.S.-China trade discussions and central banks’ pledge to keep supporting waning economies.
Bonds markets however, seem to disagree. If the outlook is as rosy as equity investors suggest, yields on the longer run of the Treasury Curve should have been climbing. Instead, U.S. 10-year yields have fallen below 2.6% for the first time since early January, suggesting that growth and inflation expectations will remain weak for the foreseeable future.
Another concern for the 3-month bull market is liquidity. The recent rally has not been supported by strong inflows, indicating that fewer investors are participating in this bull market. It remains to be seen whether equity or bond markets are right; however, it doesn’t seem this is the most loved bull market.
Will the Fed’s patience reflect in the dot plot?
The Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting is likely to be the most significant risk event for the week.
While it is not expected to see changes in interest rates, investors are hoping for an announcement to end the central bank’s balance sheet reduction. Such a move could prolong the recovery in equity markets.
According to Fed Fund Futures, markets do not just expect a zero chance of rising interest rates on Wednesday, but are indicating a 26% chance of a rate cut by year-end. It will be interesting to see if the Fed agrees with current market views. If the dots on the dot plot are going to be dragged lower, this could attract new selling opportunities for the USD, but Powell’s tone and his assessment of the U.S. economy will also drive the currency.
Deal or no Deal?
The Bank of England is also meeting this week, but this session is likely to be a non-event, with the central bank not expected to make any changes to policy. In fact, it’s the E.U. summit on March 21 – 22 that traders will need to keep an eye on. Will E.U. leaders agree on extending the Brexit deadline, or will they provide some further compromise before the March 29 deadline? If no agreement is reached at this summit, the U.K. will be left with one option. A no-deal Brexit!
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.
Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.
Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.
In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.
Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.
E-Financial
Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

House of Rep
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.
He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.
The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.
“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.
He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.
The investigation continues next week.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.
SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.
The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.
SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.
CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).
Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.
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