E-Financial
Access Bank Dangles Collateral-Free Loan to SMEs, Others

Access Bank has unveiled a fresh audacious plan to fund the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) as well as health and education sectors after a similar exercise for the players in the creative sector of the economy.
The bank, which had granted over N37 billion loans to SMEs in 2018, said the decision to once again stress its hands towards these sectors was borne out of a desire to help the sectors grow.
Speaking to financial journalists in Lagos, Ayodele Olojede, head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank, said that the bank in the last three years has invested significantly towards the growth of SMEs.
“We love SMEs and we do not pay lip service to SMEs and to the extent of how much we want to support SMEs, we have invested significantly in our understanding of the risk factors in that segment and sufficiently so because in the last 3 years, we have supported SMEs. In 2018 alone, we granted up to N37bn in loans to our SME customers which won us the award globally.
“We were able to achieve this feat because we introduced an innovative approach to lending and you know that with this innovative approach to lending, all that the customer need to be able to access loans is just to keep good credit record and sales record,” she explained.
Olojede noted that the loan portfolio is collateral free for Nigerians and added that Access Bank is the only bank currently using the National Collateral Registry in support of MSMEs.
“All of our solutions are tailored to what a client requires. If it was an equipment purchase or you just want to expand your business, we will be able to support you in that line. For school, if you want to buy books, school uniforms which are technical base requirements.”
“30 per cent of what we have granted to SMEs were used to support women through our W-power initiative and what we have done with the initiative is if you own 50 per cent of your business, you can get the loan at 15 per cent per annum.
Olojede revealed that the bank have begun to expand its footprints in the Health, Education and Technology sector while adding that through its partnership with Medical Credit fund, Access Bank granted about N3 million without collateral.
She said: “For Education, we give loans of up to N10 million without collateral specifically for working capital purposes and we are also expanding our footprints in technology sector as well and even the re-introduced creative sector loan, we are currently on the fore front of pushing that and we are about the only bank to have submitted application to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
“We engaged over 11,000 customers and so far we have done about 12,000 and the target for the year is to engage about 30,000 MSMEs customers helping them with their finances, business practices and to help them understand how they can sell their products and support them with loans”.
Access Bank has unveiled a fresh audacious plan to fund the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) as well as health and education sectors after a similar exercise for the players in the creative sector of the economy.
The bank, which had granted over N37 billion loans to SMEs in 2018, said the decision to once again stress its hands towards these sectors was borne out of a desire to help the sectors grow.
E-Financial
MoneyMaster Enhances App, Rewards Users with Data and Airtime Bonuses

MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank has introduced a refreshed mobile banking experience designed to make purchasing airtime and data more convenient and straightforward for customers.

As part of the rollout, customers will enjoy added value on their transactions. Airtime purchases on the Glo network come with a 100 percent bonus, while data purchases attract a 10 percent bonus, giving users amazing rewards on each purchase.
With this revamp, the app is now much easier to use, especially for airtime purchases. From selecting accounts to choosing amounts, the process is more seamless, with clearer options and fewer steps. Data plans are now neatly organized into categories such as daily, weekly, and monthly, making it easier for users to find what they need without endless scrolling.
Beyond the improved layout, customers now have more flexibility in how they recharge. Lower airtime denominations have been introduced, giving users the freedom to choose amounts that better suit their needs, while navigation has been adjusted to be quicker and more intuitive.
Speaking on the update, the bank’s Head of Business, Tajudeen Omokhide, explained that the goal is to make payments as simple and seamless as possible. According to him, customers expect speed, clarity, and affordability, and these improvements are part of the bank’s ongoing effort to meet those expectations. He also encouraged both existing and new users to get the latest version of the app.
These updates are a testament to MoneyMaster’s broader mission of developing practical, relevant products for everyday life. Promoted by Globacom and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the bank offers mobile wallets, savings accounts, individual current accounts, and business banking services.
MoneyMaster continues to position itself as a flexible, customer-centric platform, enabling over 4,000 individual and business billers to manage payments, access financial services, and stay connected with ease.
E-Financial
CBN Directs IMTOs to Open Naira Settlement Accounts

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in the country to open and maintain naira settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks, as part of efforts to tighten oversight of diaspora remittances and improve transparency in the foreign exchange market.

The directive was contained in a circular dated March 24, 2026, signed by Dr Musa Nakorji, director of the Trade and Exchange Department, and addressed to IMTOs, authorised dealer banks and the general public.
The circular was published on the apex bank’s website on Tuesday.
The CBN said the measure is aimed at “enhancing diaspora remittances, strengthening transparency, traceability, and effective monitoring of all transactions.”
It stated that “all IMTOs are hereby directed to open naira settlement accounts and ensure that all transactions are routed strictly through their designated settlement accounts, maintained with Authorised Dealer Banks in Nigeria.”
Under the new rule, all inflows, beneficiary payments and related settlements linked to international money transfers are to be processed solely through these accounts.
IMTOs may, however, operate multiple settlement accounts across different banks in line with their operational needs.
The circular also introduced tighter controls on how the accounts can be funded, stating that they “shall only be credited with remittance flows and proceeds of foreign exchange conversions by licensed IMTOs (or their agents)” within the Nigerian foreign exchange market.
Operators are required to clearly designate the accounts and submit the details to the CBN, with updates provided periodically where necessary.
To improve market operations, authorised dealer banks are permitted to process foreign currency transfers from IMTO settlement accounts to other banks and approved participants, including licensed Bureau De Change operators.
The apex bank further directed IMTOs to adopt market-reflective pricing by referencing the Bloomberg BMatch system. It said IMTOs “shall observe real-time market prices from the Bloomberg BMATCH and utilise this as guidance for pricing transactions with their customers and Authorised Dealers.”
According to the CBN, this approach is expected to “improve price discovery, reduce information asymmetry between IMTOs and banks, and encourage increased participation in the official FX market.”
The bank added that all operators must maintain proper transaction records for regulatory checks and comply fully with anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing rules.
“This directive takes effect from May 1, 2026. Please note and ensure compliance,” the circular stated.
The move shows the CBN’s push to channel remittance inflows through formal banking channels, boost liquidity in the official foreign exchange market and strengthen regulatory oversight of cross-border transactions.
E-Financial
DLM Capital Group’s AAA-Rated Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes (“SBCNS”) Strengthens Investor Confidence with Successful First Principal & Interest Payment

Foremost Development Investment Bank, DLM Capital Group has reinforced its position as a leader in innovative fixed income solutions with the successful payment of the first principal and interest (coupon) to investors under its Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes (“SBCNs”) issuance.

This milestone, alongside the consistent delivery of quarterly performance reports, underscores the Group’s commitment to transparency, capital preservation, and investor confidence.
DLM SPV PLC’s 40.62% Hold-to-Maturity return ₦7.30 billion (Tranche A) and 19.07% ₦1.70 billion (Tranche B) Plain Vanilla Series 1 Notes, issued under its ₦30.00 billion Medium-Term Notes Programme and developed by Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, Group CEO of DLM Capital, was recently listed on the FMDQ Exchange with the Tranche A bond becoming the most valuable AAA-rated corporate bond on the market.
This represents a new class of structured debt instruments designed to meet both issuer funding needs and investor expectations. As a platform widely recognised for supporting innovative debt structures, FMDQ provides an enabling environment for instruments like DLM’s SBCNs to thrive.
At launch in July 2025, DLM SBCNs, which achieved a 9-notch upgrade from BBB- (GCR Sponsor ratings at issuance) without securitisation, entered the market with a healthy degree of skepticism, as is typical with pioneering financial instruments. However, after six months of post-issuance, DLM Funding SPV Plc has delivered on its promise by comfortably and successfully meeting its first principal and coupon obligations to its investors.
This performance milestone has significantly strengthened market confidence and validated the robustness of the structure. The notes are rated AAA by Global Credit Rating and AAA by DataPro Limited, reflecting their strong credit fundamentals and low-risk profile. Designed to prioritise capital preservation, liquidity, and above competitive market returns, the instrument stands out as one of the most compelling corporate fixed income offerings for institutional investors currently available in the market.
Investor response has been notably strong and institutional investors who are beginning to recognize the value of a well-structured de-risked, high-return and, high-quality fixed income investment backed by a credible issuer with a proven track record. The combination of timely coupon payments, high credit ratings, and ongoing transparency has positioned SBCNs as a preferred option for investors seeking stability and performance in today’s evolving financial landscape.
As investor interest continues to build towards Series 2, DLM SBCNs are not only demonstrating resilience but also setting a benchmark for innovation in Nigeria’s debt capital markets. In its role as a Development Investment Bank (“DIB”), DLM Capital Group remains committed to delivering structured solutions that align with investor needs whilst maintaining the highest standards of governance and execution.
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