Access Bank Plc has transformed from an obscure Nigerian Bank into a world class African financial institution.
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Our History
Over the past 26 years, Access Bank Plc. has evolved from an obscure Nigerian Bank into a world-class African financial institution. Today, we are one of the five largest banks in Nigeria in terms of assets, loans, deposits and branch network; a feat which has been achieved through a robust long-term approach to client solutions – providing committed and innovative advice.
Access Bank has built its strength and success in corporate banking and is now applying that expertise to the personal and business banking platforms it acquired from Nigeria’s International Commercial bank in 2012. The next two years were spent integrating the business, investing in infrastructure and strengthening the product offer.
As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant.
The Beginning (1988 - 2001)
1
December 19, 1988:
Access Bank was issued a banking licence
2
March 24, 1998:
Access Bank became a Public Limited Liability Company
3
February 8, 1989:
Access Bank was incorporated as a privately owned commercial bank
4
November 18, 1998:
Access Bank was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange
5
May 11, 1989:
Access Bank commenced operations at its Burma Road, Apapa Head Office
6
February 5, 2001:
Access Bank obtained a Universal Banking License from the CBN
The Change
In March 2002, the Board of Directors appointed Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Herbert Wigwe as Deputy Managing Director. The mandate was clear: Reposition the bank as one of Nigeria's leading financial institutions within a five year period (March 2002 to March 2007). This task was perceived by many as impossible given the realities of the Bank at the time.
Simultaneously, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, who brought commendable and useful board experience gathered from some of Nigeria's leading companies, including MTN Nigeria, Okomu Oil Palm Plc, was also appointed to the Board. The new management team subsequently created a transformational agenda for Access Bank which represented a departure from all that characterized the Bank in the past and became the road map for the conversion of the bank into a world class financial institution.
The focus was to:
- Assemble a credible and high caliber management team
- Introduce a culture of excellence founded on professionalism and integrity.
- Ensure Human Capital Development.
- Enlarge the shareholder base.
- Introduce strong procedures and processes to drive day-to-day Bank activities.
- Instil a passion for customer service in all members of staff.
- Establish a low cost liability generation strategy.
- Expand branch network to cover all clearing zones within Nigeria
- Create a world-class brand
The impact of the transformation agenda was reflected in the first year. The bank grew its balance sheet by 100% and posted an impressive N1 billion profit before tax. The profit before tax figure was more than the cumulative profit made by the bank in the previous 12 years. This also marked the beginning of what would be a six year record triple-digit growth trend. Similarly, earnings per share had rebounded to 21 kobo from a negative 2 kobo position, leading to a declaration of a 5 kobo dividend to shareholders for the first time in three years.
In recognition of the role of an enhanced capital structure, the Bank embarked on a capital raising exercise in July 2007. The exercise was an astounding success recording an over subscription of over 300%. The public offer comprised of an Over-The-Counter GDR placement of US$250 million which was similarly oversubscribed by 700%. The Bank's shareholders fund today stands at over N240 billion with an expanded shareholder base of over 1,000,000 domestic and foreign investors.
Access Bank is consistently seeking for ways to expand its service platform across the African continent. The bank currently operates through a network of about 366 branches across major cities and commercial centers in Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The impact of the transformation agenda was reflected in the first year. The bank grew its balance sheet by 100% and posted an impressive N1 billion profit before tax. The profit before tax figure was more than the cumulative profit made by the bank in the previous 12 years. This also marked the beginning of what would be a six year record triple-digit growth trend. Similarly, earnings per share had rebounded to 21 kobo from a negative 2 kobo position, leading to a declaration of a 5 kobo dividend to shareholders for the first time in three years.
2023
- The Bank concluded a USD300million Additional Tier 1 issue.
- Acquired majority shares in Standard chartered Bank’s subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
2022
- Transitioned into a Holdco structure to diversify and explore Beyond banking opportunities
- Appointed Roosevelt Ogbonna as MD, with Victor Etuokwu and Chizoma Okoli as DMD.
- Expanded presence in the Kenyan market through an acquisition
- Expansion to France
2020 - 2021
- Announced strategic update on its vision to be Africa’s Gateway to the world
- Acquired Banks in Mozambique, Zambia and South Africa
- The Bank is maximally rated in Nigeria with ratings cap driven by Nigeria’s sovereign rating
- Concluded a USD500million Additional Tier 1 issue
2019
- Completed the merger of Diamond Bank in March 2019
- Listed Africa’s first fully certified corporate Green Bond on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange
- Launched an updated and refreshed brand which fused together the best of Diamond Bank and Access Bank
2018
- Announced its intention to merge with Diamond Bank
- Presented the inaugural Born in Africa Festival ”BAFEST” to celebrate African art, film, design and music
- Collaborated with 25 global banks to develop the Principles for Sustainable Banking and align the sector with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Launched Access WhatsApp Banking
2017
- Launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Essay Competition, in conjunction with Junior Achievement Nigeria, to tackle youth unemployment
- Launched its five year strategy “Africa’s Gateway to the World” at Nigerian Stock Exchange
- Bagged fourteen sustainability awards including the Karlsruhe Sustainability Award for the second consecutive year and all four sustainability categories at the CBN Sustainability Awards.
- Unveiled a new ‘Family Savings Scheme’ in line with the Bank’s commitment to promote savings culture among the Nigerian population.
- Constructed Hostel for visually impaired persons.
2016
- Inaugurated the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon
- Named as Best Sustainable Bank 2016 by World Finance
- Made an extra donation To UNICEF UK for its campaign against HIV/AIDS among Nigerian children.
- Hosted the 2016 Innovation Challenge to bring together Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurs to tackle challenges in agriculture, transportation, security and power
- Launched new Mobile Banking Platform for Airtel Subscribers in partnership with Airtel Nigeria
2015
- Launched lending programme for Ghanaian companies, backed by the European Investment Bank
- 2nd Access Conference attended by founders of Facebook, Apple and Air Asia, along with other global leaders in technology and innovation
- Launched PayWithCapture mobile payment solution
- Received the Global Banking Alliance for Women Market Champion Award
2014
- Won risk management award by Conrad Clark Nigeria in collaboration with Business Day and the UK Institute of Risk Management
- Designated ‘A Significant Important Financial Institution’ by the Nigerian Central Bank
- Major IT improvement programme roll-out: migration from Flexcube to Oracle 11g Database Technology
- Emerged as the overall winner in the ‘Credit Card Product of the Year’ category at the annual Card and e-Payment Africa Awards ceremony
2013
- Articulated the next 5-year rolling plan with a clear objective of becoming the ‘World’s Most Respected African Bank by 2017’
- Achieved AA- credit rating from S&P (one of the best among tier-1 banks in Nigeria)
- Resolved post-merger integration issues
- Divested from non-banking subsidiaries
2012
- Access Bank and Intercontinental Commercial Bank (ICB) merger judged Africa`s top M&A deal of the year
- Judged ‘Best Bank in West Africa’ by the African Banker
- Completed recapitalization of ICB
- Revised corporate philosophy; new aim to become ‘Africa’s most respected Bank’
- Partnered with Friends Africa to implement SME Workplace Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Ranked fourth largest bank as a result of the ICB acquisition
- Listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE)
- Successfully raised US$350million Eurobond
2011
- Judged the ‘Sustainable Bank of the Year for Africa and Middle East’ by Financial Times and the IFC
- Received the business in the community ‘Big Tick Award’
2010
- Awarded the ‘Most Socially Responsible Bank in Africa’ award from the African Banker Magazine
- The IFC Global Trade Finance Program rated Access Bank as the ‘Most Active GTFP Issuing Bank in Africa’
- Launched e-learning portal
- Declared the ‘Best Clearing Bank in Oshogbo Clearing zone 2009’ (Oshogbo Branch) at the Maiden edition of Oshogbo CBN award night
- Final of Mirror the Master Art Competition held in Lagos
- Held the SME Work Place Policy Programme in Lagos, Enugu, and Minna
2009
- Launched its ‘Going Green’ campaign in Lagos and Abuja
- Signed the Convention on Business Integrity Treaty
- Access Bank UK Limited won Adam Smith Award for Best Practice and Innovation
- Adopted Equator principle for CSR
- Adopted the International Financial Reporting Standard
- First Nigerian Bank to voluntarily establish an Ombudsman Office
- 3rd Bank in Nigerian banking industry to adopt IRS Account reporting style in addition to GAAP
2008
- Successfully concluded third Public Offer, raising over US$1billion (3.5 times oversubscribed).
2007
- First Nigerian Bank to introduce and commence the use of Visa Credit Cards in Nigeria
- First Nigerian Bank to obtain EMV certification for multicard ATM service platform
- First Nigerian Bank to receive funding from the Belgian Investment Company Fund for developing countries
- Implemented the Bond Index Tracker
2006
- Launched suite of wealth management products for high-net-worth customers
- Launched MPower Biz Account, designed to empower SME business owners, the Bank's flagship retail product
- Launched first Nigerian online car leasing service ’Auto online’
- The first Nigerian Bank to partner with the International Finance Corporation(IFC), an arm of the World Bank, for the introduction of the IFC’s Gender Empower Programme
- Appointed Primary Dealer/Market Maker for government bonds by the Debt Management Office (DMO)
- The first Bank in Nigeria to receive US$15 million convertible investment from the IFC
- Appointed as a Settlement Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria
2005
- Acquired Capital Bank and Marina Bank via merger by absorption and completed integration within 60 days
- Netherlands Finance Company (FMO) US$15million Investment in Access Bank listed on the NSE
2004
- Raised over N14.5 billion in successful Public Offer, recording 133% oversubscription
- Received the Hewlett Packard Award for the best implementation of a core banking application (Flexcube 6.2) in West Africa
- Selected as one of the seven banks to disburse the European Investment Bank's N50 million SME facility
2003
- Determined the most actively traded stock on Nigeria Stock Exchange Market
- Recorded N1 billion PBT (exceeds cumulative profit for the last 12 years)
2002
- Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Herbert Wigwe, Deputy Managing Director, with a mandate to move the bank from 65th position to top 10 by 2007
