E-Financial
Dollar Bears Rev as FOMC Looms- FXTM Analyst

The bearish sentiment towards the Dollar descended to new depths during trading on Tuesday following a slew of tepid data from the States which rekindled concerns over the health of the world’s largest economy.
Although durable goods orders were positive, it still missed expectations at 0.8% while consumer confidence followed a negative path consequently offering enough encouragement for the bears to drag the Dollar Index to the lows of 94.21.
With an awful mixture of both domestic and global events ensuring the Dollar remains depressed, Dollar weakness continues to be the central theme that reverberates through the currency markets.
The main focus and event risk for Wednesday will be the FOMC meeting in which markets broadly expect US rates to be left unchanged at 0.5%.
While most may speculate that the FOMC could be a non-event due to the lack of a press conference, I feel this may pressure investors to closely examine the statement for clues on future rate hikes or any change in language.
Since the historic rate hike decision in December, the economic landscape has morphed for the worst with incessant declines in oil prices and ongoing concerns over slowing global growth sabotaging the Fed’s efforts to take action.
These factors have repeatedly caused the central bank to postpone rate hikes and with nothing changing fundamentally, a procrastinating Fed could be the ongoing theme for 2016.
Refocusing back on the Dollar Index, this Index is technically bearish on the daily timeframe as there have been consistently lower lows and lower highs.
Prices are trading below the daily 20 SMA and the MACD has also crossed to the downside. Sellers could be encouraged to send the Dollar Index towards 94.00 as long as bears can keep prices below 95.00.
Stock Markets Volatile
Global equity markets displayed haphazard characteristics during trading on Tuesday as the sharp movements in oil prices that bolstered risk appetite encouraged investors to offload and reload positions in various instruments.
Despite the abrupt rise in oil prices keeping European and American markets buoyed, this relief rally could offer an opportunity for bears to send prices lower especially if the central bank meetings this week renew a wave of jitters across the board.
Currently Asian stocks are pressured with the Shanghai Composite trading -0.30%, further losses in Asia could be expected if an appreciating Yen and rapidly diminishing expectations of further intervention by the People’s Bank of China encourage investors to scatter from riskier assets.
GBPUSD Breaches 1.4500
Sterling bulls effectively exploited the declining Brexit campaign which offered a foundation for the GBPUSD to surge above the psychological 1.4500 resistances during trading on Tuesday.
This was complimented with Dollar vulnerability that offered additional momentum for the GBPUSD to fly to fresh 11 week highs at 1.4638. Despite data from the UK still following a soft path, the diminishing Brexit fears coupled with “Bremain” statements from major financial heavyweights have provided a platform for bullish investors to pounce, despite the fundamentals pointing down.
With under 2 months left until the E.U referendum, volatility may be set to intensify as debates escalate over if the UK should remain in or leave the E.U.
While the GBPUSD is undeniably bullish as of now, investors should keep diligent as data from the UK remains soft meaning that the BoE has little incentive to raise interest rates anytime soon.
From a technical standpoint, the GBPUSD has breached a key resistance. The next major barrier is at 1.4650.
Lukman Otunuga, Research Analyst at FXTM
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.
Telecom3 days agoNigeria Dominates 2025 TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards with Six Wins
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Rejigs Financial Inclusion Strategy to Boost Economic Growth
E-Financial3 days agoFG, SEC, NGX Group Agree on Capital Gains Tax Reform
E-Business3 days agoReport Reveals Half of 2025’s Compromised Passwords were Already Leaked
Broadcasting3 days agoEFCC Arik Case: Witness Testifies on Receiver Manager Nominee’s Role in NG Eagle Shareholding
E-Financial3 days agoA Nation on Alert: Is FIRS’ Xpress Payments Move Consolidating a Revenue Cartel?
E-Financial2 days agoSEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Foundation Celebrates International Volunteer Day, Honours Employee Volunteers













