E-Financial
NOVA Bank Commences Operations as National Commercial Bank

NOVA Bank has officially commenced operations as a National Commercial Bank, as the bank opened its first commercial banking branch in the Victoria Island area of Lagos.

This followed Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) approval of its final licence.
In a statement yesterday, Phillips Oduoza, chairman and founder of NOVA Bank, emphasised the bank’s unwavering commitment to customer focus and delivering exceptional service.
He also introduced the innovative ‘PHYGITAL’ model, which, according to him, is a trademark of NOVA.
“We are pleased to continue our tradition of excellence established as a merchant bank and further extend the banking experience to the retail end of the market. As we expand our services, we remain dedicated to delivering an unparalleled banking experience that seamlessly integrates the physical and digital realms.
“Our trademarked PHYGITAL experience combines a select number of strategically located physical branches with high-tech, seamless digital banking capabilities, ensuring that our customers receive the best of both worlds. This approach allows us to provide personalised, in-person service where it is most needed, while also offering the convenience and efficiency of cutting-edge digital solutions,” he explained.
Wale Oyedeji, managing director/chief executive officer of the bank, added, “For over half a decade, NOVA has been instrumental to the success of leading corporates and high-net-worth individuals, delivering tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of their businesses. As we evolve to serve a broader customer base, we remain committed to delivering innovative services, building on our legacy as a leading merchant bank.
“Through disruptive, seamless digital products and services, we are poised to deepen financial inclusion, provide convenient and secure banking solutions, and elevate the SME market as a key economic driver.”
NOVA Bank, which was established in 2018, is set to open additional branches in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.
Mrs Esther Adino, group head of Retail and Digital Banking, NOVA Bank, highlighted the innovative financial solutions the lender offers.
She asserted, “At NOVA Bank, we provide a comprehensive suite of banking services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals, SMEs, and large corporations.”
E-Financial
Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

Kuda Microfinance Bank partnered with Lovers & Frnds for a Valentine’s edition event on Sunday, February 15, at Space Hub Lekki, Lagos, redefining celebrations around love, friendship, and social connections beyond romance.

Kuda Bank
The R&B-themed gathering drew couples, friend groups, and solo attendees with music sets from DJs like TGarbs, games, gift exchanges, and colour-coded tags—red for relationships, yellow for mingling singles, orange for non-minglers—to spark easy interactions.
Kuda activated a branded photo booth, merchandise giveaways, prize activities, and complimentary drinks for Premium loyalty tier customers, while vendors used Kuda Business POS terminals for seamless cashless payments.
Senior Brand Manager Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi said: “We partner with experiences matching our customers’ lifestyles in music and entertainment, creating spaces they genuinely connect with—we’ll keep supporting how they live and celebrate.”
E-Financial
CBN Slashes Rate by 50bps

By Mathew Anthony, Market Analyst at FXTM
In another positive development for Nigeria, the CBN has proceeded with 50-basis points rate cut.

FXTM Logo
With favourable fundamental forces at play, it was always a question of how much rather than if rates will be cut in February.
Although some were expecting a hefty 100-basis point cut, this was still a positive move by the CBN, mirroring the dovish strategy of other major banks on the continent.
Interest rates were slashed thanks to cooling inflationary pressures, a stronger Naira and rising FX reserves.
This move is likely to boost confidence over the economic outlook ahead of the Q4 GDP report scheduled for release later this month.
E-Financial
CBN Cuts MPR by 50bps to 26.50% as Inflation Eases for 11th Month

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lowered its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 26.50 percent from 27 percent, a unanimous decision announced by Governor Olayemi Cardoso at the end of the 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

CBN
Cardoso cited 11 straight months of decelerating headline inflation—reaching 15.10 percent in January 2026 per National Bureau of Statistics—as key, driven by prior tightening lags, naira stability, food supply gains, steady petroleum prices, export earnings, remittances, and balance of payments strength.
Liquidity ratio stays at 30 percent, CRR unchanged at 45 percent for commercial banks (16 percent merchant banks) and 75 percent non-TSA public deposits; standing facilities corridor now +50/-450 basis points around MPR.
The MPC retained other parameters, welcoming Executive Order 09 redirecting oil/gas revenues to the federation account for fiscal boost, last cutting rates in September 2025 after November’s hold.
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