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UBA Records N40b PBT In 2016 H1, Proposes N0.20 Interim Dividend

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UBA shareholders

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The United Bank for Africa Plc has announced its audited 2016 Half Year Financial Results for the period ended June 30, 2016.

Business Post learnt the results showed that UBA recorded gross earnings of N166 billion, net operating income of N109 billion and profit before tax of N40 billion.

Also, the bank recorded a significant growth in total assets, rising 20% to N3.3 trillion, crossing the three trillion mark.

Following the sterling performance, Business Post gathered, the bank’s Board has recommended the payment of N0.20 interim dividend on every ordinary share of N0.50 each.

Speaking on the results, Kennedy Uzoka, the GMD/CEO, UBA Plc said; the results have been achieved amidst waning economic fundamentals.

“We delivered profit in excess of N40 billion and grew balance sheet by 20%, with our on-balance sheet total assets crossing the N3 trillion mark. Even as Naira depreciation and inflationary pressure increased the cost of doing business in Nigeria, we leveraged our economics of scale, enhanced operational efficiency and Group shared service structure to moderate our cost-to-income ratio by 90bps.”

UBA achieved several strong positives in its performance for the half year. The bank’s net loan position rose 29% to N1.29 trillion partially boosted by the depreciation in the value of the Naira. UBA also recorded a significant 16% growth in deposits to N2.41 trillion already surpassing the 15% target growth in deposits set at the beginning of the year. Another positive for UBA was a drop in cost to income ratio to 63% as at half year compared to 64% in same period of 2015. It is noteworthy that the bank maintained its strong asset quality, with non-performing loans ratio at 2.4%; well below the CBN set limit of 5% for the banking industry.

Uzoka assured that; “UBA will sustain its culture of keeping a healthy balance sheet, with strong liquidity and capitalization, as reflected in the liquidity and BASEL II capital adequacy ratios of 45% and 18% respectively.” He further stated; “notwithstanding the current slowdown in economic activities, we see bright spots ahead, especially as we see strong prospect to grow market share across all chosen economies, through our enhanced dedication to customer service”.

Explaining the major drivers behind UBA’s strong performance, the Group CFO, Ugo Nwaghodoh said; “This impressive performance was driven by increased transaction volume, balance sheet growth and efficiency as well as a disciplined management of operating cost. We achieved a 60bps moderation in funding cost, despite the tighter interest rate environment, as we continue to improve our deposit mix, towards low cost savings and current accounts.”

Nwaghodoh said that UBA’s performance in the period endorses the bank’s resilient ability to profitably grow its business from sustainable core banking offerings.

“Notwithstanding the challenging macro and regulatory environment, we achieved a 17.3% return on average equity in the period” even as the total equity of the Bank grew 23% to N407 billion.

He explained that the bank’s African subsidiaries continue to record significant milestones in their performance, as two erstwhile loss making subsidiaries are now profitable and having positive contribution to the bank’s bottom line.

“Overall, African subsidiaries, contributed a quarter of the Group’s profit, with an even stronger outlook, as we deepen our penetration of the respective markets, the Group CFO added.”

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is one of Africa’s leading banking Groups with operations in 19 African countries and offices in three global financial centres: London, Paris and New York.

From a single country operation in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, UBA has evolved into a pan-African provider of banking and related financial services, to more than 11 million customers, through over 1000 Business Offices and diverse channels globally.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Banking

VeendHQ Recoups N69m Overdue Loans Via Vida AI

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VeendHQ Vida AI

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The artificial intelligence (AI)-powered credit platform designed by VeendHQ, Vida AI, has been used to recoup about N69 million from a N172.5 million portfolio of loans that were more than 90 days overdue.

This feat was achieved through the platform in a pilot that highlights the growing role of technology in loan recovery and portfolio management.

VeendHQ disclosed that the pilot delivered a 40 per cent recovery rate on the overdue loan portfolio, boasting that this significantly outperformed traditional recovery benchmarks, where a 5 per cent recovery rate on a similar loan book would amount to about N8.6 million.

This achievement comes at a time when lenders are under increasing pressure to improve recovery outcomes while managing the cost, reputational risk, and operational burden associated with overdue loans.

For many credit providers, the challenge is no longer only how quickly loans can be approved, but how effectively repayment can be monitored and delinquent loans can be recovered after disbursement.

VeendHQ said the pilot demonstrates how Vida AI can support lenders beyond credit assessment, extending into repayment monitoring, collections, and recovery.

“Credit access is only one side of lending. The bigger challenge for many lenders is what happens after disbursement.

“Vida AI helps lenders make smarter decisions across the credit lifecycle, from approval to repayment and recovery,” the chief executive of VeendHQ, Mr Olufemi Olanipekun, stated.

VeendHQ said Vida AI’s recovery workflow enables lenders to upload overdue loan records, verify borrower information, assess repayment capacity, and trigger automated recovery actions. This gives lenders better visibility after disbursement and allows recovery teams to prioritise overdue portfolios more effectively.

“If lenders cannot recover efficiently, they become more conservative with lending. That affects consumers, small businesses, and the wider credit market. Better recovery infrastructure gives lenders more confidence to lend, manage risk, and keep credit flowing,” Mr Olanipekun added.

VeendHQ, a Nigerian fintech company building digital credit infrastructure, developed Vida AI as an AI -powered platform for lenders, merchants, and financial institutions. The platform supports credit assessment, identity verification, repayment collections, and loan management workflows.

With the recovery pilot, the company is positioning Vida AI beyond loan origination, as a tool for lenders seeking to improve repayment performance and manage overdue portfolios more efficiently.

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Banking

273 Wema Bank Customers Win N17.96m in 5 for 5 Rewards Promo

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wema bank SPV Bond

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The sum of N17.97 million has been won by at least 273 customers of Wema Bank Plc through its 5 for 5 Rewards campaign launched on May 2, 2026.

At the activation of the promo at Ikeja City Mall, Lagos, 81 customers were given N81,000 each, resulting in N6.56 million in rewards on launch day. Since then, the campaign has continued to reward customers through daily and monthly draws, with an additional 192 winners emerging within the first month.

Across the Youth segment, 37 students have received rewards worth N4.4 million, including 20 students who got N50,000 PocketMoni rewards and 17 university students who received N200,000 each in Tuition Support.

The Women segment also recorded strong participation, with 12 customers receiving N150,000 each through the #SelfCare category, while the Mass Market segment recorded the highest number of winners.

Within the first month, 120 customers received daily cash rewards, and 23 customers won N200,000 each in the monthly draw, bringing total rewards in the category to N5.2 million.

These have demonstrated the strong early impact of its refreshed customer rewards platform and reinforced its commitment to rewarding everyday banking.

“At Wema Bank, we believe loyalty should be rewarded in ways that are meaningful, transparent and accessible.

“The response to Season 5 of the 5 for 5 Rewards campaign has been encouraging, and seeing hundreds of customers benefit within just one month reinforces our belief that everyday banking should create everyday opportunities,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, stated.

“Beyond rewarding transactions, we are encouraging positive financial habits while delivering real value to our customers.

“This is only the beginning. With more reward categories, more winners and more opportunities still ahead, we remain committed to creating meaningful impact for our customers and ensuring more Nigerians experience the value of banking with Wema,” he added.

Customers can participate by opening or reactivating a Wema Bank account, funding it with a minimum of N5,000, maintaining an average monthly balance of N5,000, and completing at least five transactions every month using the ALAT app, Wema or ALAT cards, or *945#.

With over N170 million earmarked for rewards between May and December 2026, thousands more customers are expected to benefit as the campaign continues, reaffirming Wema Bank’s commitment to rewarding loyalty, promoting positive financial behaviour and delivering value beyond banking.

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Banking

AG Mortgage Bank N3.97bn Commercial Paper Closes June 18

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AG Mortgage Bank

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The N3.97 billion commercial paper issuance of AG Mortgage Bank Plc will close on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The sale of the debt instrument by the real estate lender commenced on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

It is under the N5 billion commercial paper issuance programme of the lending firm aimed to support its short-term working capital and funding requirements.

The company is selling the papers in two series, with Series 2 offered at a discounted rate of 19.2895 per cent for 270 days, and Series 3 at a discounted rate of 19.3651 per cent for 364 days.

The minimum subscription is N5 million, and subsequent additions of N1 million.

AG Mortgage Bank is a leading primary mortgage bank in Nigeria with over two decades of experience in providing affordable mortgage financing and housing finance solutions.

The bank has grown its asset base to over N33 billion and remains a key participant in major housing intervention programmes, including the National Housing Fund Scheme and other government-backed mortgage initiatives.

Supported by a diversified product offering, strong institutional credibility, and an experienced management team, AG Mortgage Bank continues to deliver solid financial performance.

For FY 2025, interest income increased by 28.1 per cent to N3.65 billion, while profit after tax rose by 130.0 per cent to N1.05 billion, reflecting strong earnings growth, operational efficiency, and prudent risk management.

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