E-Financial
Unity Bank Repositions to Grow Profits
Unity Bank Plc said it is now positioned to increase lending activities and grow profitability.
Its audited result and accounts for financial year ended December 31, 2019, of the lender showed despite the low yield environment during the period, it was able to improve on its total operating income and reduced operating expenses to boost profitability.
After 2017 balance sheet clean up, the bank reported improved balance sheet growth with increases in lending to customers and improved deposits.
Ebenezer Kolawole, Executive Director, Finance & Operations at Unity Bank, at a virtual media briefing recently expressed that the significant increase in total assets in the last three years is great achievement for the management and staff of the bank.
According to him, “The growth of about 40 per cent in total asset is a great achievement and we also need to look at the bank’s assets base in the last three years.
“In 2017, we closed with total assets of N134 billion. In 2018, it grew to N210 billion and in 2019, we reported N293 billion total assets.”
For the first time in the past five years, the bank declared gross earnings of N44.59 billion and N293 billion total assets, thereby consolidating on the gains on the reforms instituted by the Bank to grow a healthy balance sheet for the past two years. The bank has improved on its lending to the real sector with over N100 billion granted as loans and advances to customers in 2019. The solid financial performance for the period ended December 31, 2019, affirms Unity Bank as one of the leading banks in terms of resilience and a transformed bank amid a challenging business environment in Nigeria.
The 2019 results revealed a number of positive performances as the management continued to reposition its stands on value creation for shareholders and improved on lending to the real sector to support the federal government’s drive to revive the nation’s economy.
Reduction in OPEX, Increase in Total Operating Income Drive Profits Unity Bank for the period under review reported 28.7 per cent increase in gross earnings to N44.59 billion in 2019 from N34.65 billion reported in 2018.
The bank interest income also increased by 21.8 per cent to N35.95 billion in 2019 from N29.5 billion in 2018, over increasing interest generated from loans and advances to customers that moved from N17.64 billion in 2018 to N21.89 billion reported in 2019.
Also. interest generated from placement from other banks moved from N361 million in 2018 to N632 million reported in 2019. More so, interest expense grew by 25 per cent to N19.45 billion in 2019 from N15.5 billion reported in 2018, even as attributed higher bank charges closed 2019 at N10.12billion in 2019 as against N7.7 billion reported in 2018.
Continuing the trend during the year, Net interest Income was stronger in 2019, gaining 18.1 per cent to N16.49 billion in 2019 from N13.97 billion in 2018. In terms of fees generated from banking operations, the lender reported N4.98 billion net fee and commission income in 2019 from N2.3 billion reported in 2018, an increase of 11.3 per cent.
The Bank improved on its Electronic transactions amid gaining more customers and rolling out more ATMs and POS at strategic locations across the country.
Kolawole explained that “in agriculture, we have over 1.5 million farmers in our primary production that banked with us and the number continued to grow as we speak.”
For the year under review, Unity Bank reported a 31.5 per cent increase in total operating income to N25.13 billion in 2019 from N19.11 billion reported in 2018. On the cost side, total Operating Expenses (Opex) dropped by 5.5 per cent to N19.6 billion, as against N20.7 billion in 2018, which is below average inflation rate within the period, a reflection of cost-efficiency gains.
The Bank had embarked on several cost minimization initiatives that have continued to yield positive results as personal expenses dropped to N9.43 billion in 2019 from N9.98 billion reported in 2018 while other operating expenses moved to N8.37 billion in 2019 from N9.35 billion in 2018.
Kolawole speaking on cost said, “We have tried to reduce our cost because that is within our control. We have tried to make sure we do not have any waste at all. We make sure where our money is going to, money is coming back to the bank.
“This has contributed to improved cost to income ratio of Unity bank and it has helped us showcase our impressive 2019 financial year performance.”
Notwithstanding the challenging business environment in Nigeria, the Bank’s Profit Before Tax was impressive at N3.64 billion, compared to a loss of N7.55 billion reported in the 2018 financial year. Furthermore, the Profit After Tax closed positive in 2019, reporting N3.38 billion in 2019 compared to a loss of N7.7 billion reported in 2018.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited.
In a circular issued in Abuja, yesterday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager.
“The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is not registered to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market.”
SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market.
“The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment.
“The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s portal before transacting with them,” the SEC added.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law.
Agama said, “we will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance.”
Agama also emphasized the Commission’s education-focused strategy to combat fraud through podcasts, digital campaigns, and the introduction of capital market literacy in schools and universities, the SEC aims to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to detect and avoid dubious investments.
Africa’s cross-border payments market is on track to hit $1 trillion by 2035, according to a new report by venture capital firm Oui Capital. Titled “Africa’s Cross-Border Payment Landscape—a deep dive into the systems, players, and shifts shaping Africa’s cross-border payment flows,” the report states that the market is currently valued at $329 billion and growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12%.
It identifies Africa’s booming digital adoption, increasing intra-African trade, and a surge in mobile money usage as the key growth drivers.
Despite the impressive growth, the report highlights systemic inefficiencies.
“Legacy rails, double currency conversions, and fragmented regulations still siphon billions in hidden costs,” Oui Capital states, noting that the continent continues to have the highest global remittance costs, averaging 7–8%.
However, digital innovation is helping reshape the landscape. Mobile money is now a key channel, with 30% of Sub-Saharan remittances flowing through mobile wallets.
In 2022, Africa accounted for 66% of global mobile money transaction value, demonstrating the rapid formalisation of what was once a predominantly informal cash ecosystem.
Oui Capital sees significant investment potential in addressing these inefficiencies. “Infrastructure plays—interoperable API layers, decentralised FX liquidity pools, and PAPSS integrations—represent $10 billion-plus opportunities,” the report says.
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System is one such initiative pushing for local currency settlements and reduced reliance on USD/EUR clearing, which presently adds around $5 billion in annual costs.
According to the report, cryptocurrencies and Stablecoins are emerging as promising alternatives, cutting remittance costs by up to 60% in markets with clear regulations.
“Fintech APIs are already pushing fees as low as 1.5–3%,” the report notes.
Still, the venture capital firm warns that challenges persist as only 55% of African jurisdictions allow full electronic KYC, limiting the scalability of fintech solutions.
The report urges founders to go beyond peer-to-peer transfers by embedding services like lending and insurance.
“Africa’s payments race is now a scale game. Those that solve for liquidity, compliance and cost will define the continent’s digital trade backbone over the next decade,” it concludes.
Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has expanded its Agency Banking Certification Programme through a tripartite collaboration between the Institute, FIC, and SANEF Limited.
This partnership according Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, President/Chairman of Council the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, is timely and strategic, “as we aim to broaden the reach of the certification across Nigeria’s agent banking sector. With SANEF’s deep integration in the financial inclusion ecosystem and established relationships with leading super agents, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen the quality and visibility of the programme.
“The goal is clear, to enhance professionalism among agent bankers, support the national financial inclusion strategy, and contribute to building trust and integrity within this growing segment of the financial services sector. This collaboration presents an excellent opportunity for further implementation of the competency framework for the banking industry in Nigeria”.
He noted that the collaboration among others is part of his LEGACY agenda which highlights the multifaceted role of financial institutions in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
The letter C in the LEGACY agenda refers to Competence in the banking and Finance industry, which is a very crucial factor in the banking and finance sector. Competent individuals in this industry are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage financial resources. Individuals with expertise in this field can contribute to the growth and stability of the economy.
Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Shared Agency Network Expansion Facilities, SANEF, described the memorandum of Understanding, MoU, as a visionary partnership that seeks to expand Financial Inclusion through Agent banking training, Financial Literacy and knowledge impartation, an objective that forms a key pivot of what SANEF represents.
“Over the years, SANEF, in strong collaboration with our key stakeholders, Banks and Licenced Super-Agents/Mobile Money Operators and other Financial Service Providers, have continued to deepen the frontiers of Financial Inclusion and agent bank. Financial Literacy and training have remained a key part of this objective.
“This MOU ceremony is a fulfillment of a shared vision through the expansion of Agent Banking, Financial Literacy, capacity building, thought leadership, training and competency.
She further explained that the agreement provides a training structure with well-curated and knowledge filled training modules and materials that will deepen the knowledge and capacity in agent banking.
“It will go ahead to deepen and expand the knowledge and capacity of all participants that will take part in this training and we believe that with the quality and cooperation of all parties present, this very important objective of impartation of knowledge and thought leadership, grooming and training minds to be empowered and learned and contributing our quota to nation building and be a better place,” she added.
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