Business
Gross Earnings: Union Bank Records 30% Increase
Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has announced gross earnings of N147.32 billion for the group for the financial year ended March 31, 2009, representing an increase of 30 per cent over last year’s figure of N112.99 billion.
In the same vein, gross earnings for the bank increased by 40 per cent from N92.94 billion in the preceding year to N130.19 billion during the period under review. The group’s total assets grew from N1.215 trillion achieved in the preceding year to N1.329 trillion in 2009, while the bank recorded N1.197 trillion from the figure of N993.93 billion recorded in 2008, indicating a growth rate of 21 per cent. Also, group’s deposits rose from N682.31 billion in 2008 to N772.13 billion, while the bank’s deposits increased from N649.33 billion to N758.39 billion in 2009 representing an increase of 17 per cent.
However, the full provision made for bad loans and other non-performing credits in a full swoop impacted negatively on the group’s profitability. The group’s profit before provisions stood at N39.74 billion at the end of 2009 financial year.
The increase in the provision for risk assets to N83.283 billion brought loss before taxation and exceptional items to N43.539 billion, compared to a profit of N33.012 billion in 2008.
The bank’s management, led by Mrs Funke Osibodu as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive, remains very optimistic that Union Bank would again assume its rightful position in the banking industry now that its books have been cleaned up and is poised to exploit the business opportunities arising from the gradual recovery in the global economy.
Mrs Osibodu also stressed the need for the esteemed customers to remain steadfast with the bank and increase their patronage, as the bank was being repositioned to them, thereby guaranteeing better value for shareholders in the years ahead.
The management of Union Bank has restructured its operation with a view to enabling it render world class services to customers globally.
Mrs Funke Osibodu, on assumption of office, had embarked on surprise visits to various branches of the bank across the country with a view of assessing the quality and map out strategy to improve the situation.
Although, two months after the visitations, many customers have attested to good transformations in customer services at Union Bank branches in terms of timely services, personal attention by staff, improved banking environment, facilities and information technology infrastructure.
Mrs Osibodu said the business process and infrastructure upgrade team of the bank has transformed many of the bank’s branches into modern banking offices with ambience such as the Davies Street branch, Tinubu branch, Victoria Island branch, Foreshore Towers branch and Adeola Odeku branch among numerous owners.
Speaking at the Savings Bonanza Draw of the bank at Owerri, Imo State recently, the managing director encouraged the bank’s customers to spread the good news about the positive changes in the financial institution.
She informed the customers that the new changes in the leadership of Union Bank was intended to make the bank, more “Time tested, bigger, stronger, more more reliable”.
Osibodu pointed out that the changes were introduced to safeguard the interest of the shareholders and more importantly, those of the depositors.
She added that Union Bank is being repositioned to provide excellent services to its highly esteemed customers, thereby guaranteeing better value for stakeholders.
Union Bank was one of the five banks, whose top executives were fired on August 14 by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for presiding over decisions that impaired the finances of the banks. Osibodu took over from the former Group Managing Director, Barth Ebong. The sum of N120 billion was injected into Union Bank from the N420 billion set aside for the five banks by the CBN.
Industry observes applaud the positive changes in the customer services of Union Bank, while acknowledging the fact that given the pedigree of the financial institution it could easily get over its challenges.
Union Bank has recovered substantial portion of its non-performing loans which has buoyed its liquidity. Aside its N1.128 trillion asset base, the bank has a deposit base of over N682 billion from a customer base of 4.82 million, the largest in the industry.
The bank boasts of the world class IT infrastructure, flexcube, which ensures a robust platform for electronic business as well as a rejuvenated workforce with the largest concentration of experienced and qualified bankers which as at August 2009 stood at 6, 042.
Union Bank has restructured its processes tools, human capital and owner resources with a view to emerging the best in the industry. The acronym project GEAR, simply means G-gross the bank from good to great, E-eclipse the competition, A – aligning the bank’s strategy, people, processes and technology, R-redefine the bank’s position in the industry as leaders in the banking industry. The new managing director and chief executive officer had promised to focus on people management, business development and relationship management, risk management and control, all necessary to leap frog a bank’s core business, above any crisis situation.
Kolomoni Microfinance Bank has awarded grants to five female entrepreneurs to boost their businesses as part of its commitment to promoting women in business.
The initiative, organized to mark International Women’s Day, was themed “Accelerate Her Growth.”
According to the bank, the decision to support women was inspired by World Bank data, which shows that 41 percent of Nigeria’s micro-businesses are owned by women.
Delivering the keynote address, business strategist, Ebun Akinwale, emphasized that entrepreneurship requires resilience, creativity, and passion.
She illustrated this by recounting her own business challenges and highlighting the critical role passion plays in overcoming obstacles.
The event underscored Kolomoni’s mission to empower women and support small businesses in Nigeria.
Other speakers at the occasion were Odunayo Oyebolu, a seasoned entrepreneur; Victori Ajiboye, a marketing strategist with global experience; and Simi Ojumu, a finance expert.
The beneficiaries said the financial support was a validation of their hard work and a boost of confidence towards scaling through in their businesses.
The winners were selected after sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and presenting business proposals for financial assistance from the bank.
The 8th edition of the Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Summit and Awards (Nigeria SMEAwards) is set to take place in Lagos for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone for this prestigious event.
Endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the annual awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit driving Nigeria’s economy.
The visionary convener of NigeriaSMEAwards 2025, Adedayo Olalekan, said, “Governors from Zamfara, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Enugu, Ekiti, Benue, and Kaduna States have all implemented transformative initiatives that have greatly benefitted local enterprises.
“Their contributions will serve as a beacon of inspiration for the nation.”
Speaking at a recent press conference in Lagos, Olalekan emphasised that the event would introduce a fresh and unique approach, moving away from tradition.
“Despite economic challenges, Nigerians continue to show an unwavering commitment to progress”, he said.
He noted that the awards will not only honor outstanding individuals, but also recognise the critical role state governments play in nurturing vibrant SMEs.
“State governments have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for SMEs, which in turn benefits both the awardees and the larger economy.
“With major banks like Providus, Access, and First Banks competing for top honors, the 8th NigeriaSMEAwards promises to be a night of celebration, recognising exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s SME landscape”, Olalekan added.
Amid global challenges such as inflation, geopolitical instability, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Nigerians continue to show remarkable resilience.
Their efforts, according to reports, have contributed to job creation, economic growth, and overall prosperity, with SMEs at the forefront of this success.
This year’s awards will recognise governors who have made significant strides in advancing the SME sector within their states.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) consultants in Rivers State have called on entrepreneurs to be focused and avoid distractions.
The experts, who were speaking on the recent developments about the change of leadership in the state, said entrepreneurs need to put more efforts in their businesses in order to break even in the present situation in Rivers State.
Speaking in a chat with The Tide, an international SMEs consultant, Amb. Larry Goodwill Ajiola, said the political moves is capable of distracting SMEs who are not grounded in their businesses, adding that “the serious minded business men and women would utilise the opportunity to increase their revenues”.
Amb Ajiola, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rumuomasi Co-operative and Credit Society Limited, Port Harcourt, said, “Rugged entrepreneurs look out for business opportunities in situations around them, whether good or bad”.
He reiterated that the loan facility given to 3,000 SMEs in the state revived and expanded businesses, adding that the empowered businesses should continue to push, no matter the situation.
“credit is a powerful tool for achieving financial security.
“We can only keep imagin the economic value that the over 3,000 MSMEs would add to the positive economic dynamics of Rivers State and the Local Government Areas in terms of Gross Domestic Prooduct (GDP), increased tax returns, employment creation, income distribution, and production of goods and services”, he said.
Another SMEs Expert, a business consultant and SMEs trainer, Mr. Chisom Sam-Orji, in his advice, noted that every SME in the state should realize that change is the only constant thing.
He said SMEs should also know that “tough times never last, but tough people do”, adding the need for every entrepreneur to stay focused on creating value and remain resilient.
“This is not the time to be distracted by every noise around your space, but to maximize every time you have to focus on the essentials and keep creating value.
“For some people, it may just be the time to diversify, create new products and services to serve a new or existing market. But this must be based on the facts available to you via research and market surveys”, he said.
The SMEs expert also said the present time in the life of an entrepreneur is a time to cut off unnecessary excesses that surround one’s business.
“Those extra costs that may hamper your growth in this season and beyond, and focus on just essentials.
“SMEs should find certain leverages that are available to aid their business growth. This could be in form of grants, knowledge, and other leverage tools.
“Collaboration is one big way to grow in this season. Finding ways to collaborate with like minds instead of competing could enable a product or service gain advantage in the market and beyond.
“They should also find ways to sustain and grow their customer relationship as this is key to sustaining business flow. They must seek new and efficient ways to serve their customers and gain their loyalty”, he stated.
He further called on every entrepreneur to keep building capacity and never take their eyes off their visions, adding the need to muster every courage it takes to keep building and moving forward.
Lilian Peters