E-Financial
US, Eurozone Exhibit Pool of Mixed Data- ForexTime

ForexTime in its weekly report released on Monday said that the US proclaimed mixed economic news during the course of last week, some areas of the economy showing an onward and upward move and some lagging slightly behind.
According to data released on Tuesday, September 24th, the Consumer Confidence for September fell to 79.7 from August’s figure of 81.8, revealing that US consumers are not entirely confident about the progress of the economy and still have some doubts and reservations.
The release of Durable Goods Orders followed on the 25th, ForexTime continues, with a minute yet encouraging increase of 0.1%, backed by growing vehicle orders. The particular figure came under scrutiny by economists however because it excluded transportation, which constitutes a big part of durable goods orders and which in fact declined by 0.1%.
The report continues: “On the stronger side of events, the annualized GDP came in at 2.5%, a significant increase from the previous 1.1% and much in line with expectations of a 2.6% rise. Initial jobless claims further dropped from 310K to 305K, far better than the predicted 325K and a boost to the US dollar. Pending Home Sales for August also proved positive for the dollar, with a 5.8% rise.
“This week, the market is anticipating the ISM Manufacturing PMI on Tuesday, October 1st, which is expected to rise slightly to 55.8. Thursday October 3rd holds in store Fed Reserve Bernanke’s speech, which could potentially cause major volatility in the market, and Friday the 4th will reveal the month’s most influential data, including Non-farm Payrolls which are estimated at 179K and the September Unemployment Rate which is expected to remain at 7.3%.
“The German federal election last Sunday was perhaps the highlight of the month in the eurozone, with Angela Merkel being re-elected with a dynamic 42% of the public behind her. Responsibility thus remains in Chancellor Merkel’s hands to strike coalitions with strategic allies in order to keep investor faith alight in the eurozone.
“On Friday the 25th of September, the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices for September was released, unchanged from August and in line with expectations at 1.6%. The Consumer Price Index for September disappointed, up by only 1.4% which was short of expectations of a 1.5% rise.
“The remainder of the data released in the eurozone was very mixed, with the Markit Manufacturing PMI and the Consumer Confidence disappointing at 51.1 and -14.9 respectively, but the Markit PMI Composite and the Economic Sentiment Indicator both above expectations at 52.1 and 96.9 respectively. ECB President Mario Draghi spoke to the public twice during the last week, the main point delivered in both his speeches being that the European economy is showing a slow recovery. The most important fundamental news from the Eurozone this week are the ECB interest rate decision and the ECB Monetary Policy statement and press conference on Wednesday, October 2nd.
“Data in the UK last week consisted of a better than expected Gfk Consumer Confidence, which hit a 6 year high by rising to -10; 3 points higher than the previous month and the highest figure since November 2007. The CBI Distributive Trades Survey – Realized also grew unexpectedly in September despite forecasts of a downward move, rising to 34 from 27.
“On the downside, the annual GDP growth disappointed expectations of 1.5%, with a revised outcome of 1.3% for Q2, sowing the seed of doubt about whether the UK economy will continue at the pace of recovery it has enjoyed so far. This week the UK is expecting the PMI Construction on October 2nd, with a small increase to 60.1 anticipated.
“The biggest news to come out of Japan for the week that passed were the news on the Overall Consumer Price Index, which rose 0.9% in comparison to the 0.7% recorded in July, and the Core Consumer Price Index, which rose to 0.8% from the previous year. Both these figures were a positive indicator for the JPY because a higher CPI signifies higher inflation, which in this case is positive for a heavily reliant on exports Japan”.
The end of this week will see the Bank of Japan interest rate decided, with no expectations for any drastic change seeing as the 0.1% rate is beneficial for the Japanese monetary policy which aims to keep the JPY weak to boost exports.
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-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-Financial2 days agoCBN Rejigs Financial Inclusion Strategy to Boost Economic Growth
E-Financial3 days agoA Nation on Alert: Is FIRS’ Xpress Payments Move Consolidating a Revenue Cartel?
E-Business3 days agoUBA Wins Africa’s Bank of the Year for Third Time in Five Years
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Foundation Celebrates International Volunteer Day, Honours Employee Volunteers



















