Stanbic IBTC Holdings, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, is set to raise a total of N550 billion through a combination of debt issuance and a rights issue.

This ambitious move comes amidst the backdrop of regulatory changes and the need for financial institutions to bolster their capital bases to meet new requirements set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The announcement was made in a notice of the company’s annual general meeting filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

According to the disclosure, Stanbic IBTC Holdings plans to establish a debt issuance program with a capacity of up to N400 billion.

This program will enable the company to issue various forms of debt securities, including senior unsecured or secured, subordinated, convertible, preferred, equity-linked, or other forms of debt obligations.

Also, the board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings is seeking shareholder approval to raise additional equity capital of up to N150 billion through a rights issue or offer for subscription.

Shareholders will also vote on increasing the company’s issued and paid-up share capital to accommodate the proposed capital raise.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings has been a key player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, with a strong track record of performance and a diverse range of financial services.

The proposed capital raise is expected to provide the company with the necessary resources to pursue growth opportunities, enhance its market position, and continue delivering value to shareholders and stakeholders alike.

Royal Exchange Plc, a leading player in life assurance, health insurance, and credit financing, recently concluded its rights issue with a subscription rate of 75.83%, indicating a shortfall in investor uptake.

The rights issue aimed at raising capital through the issuance of additional ordinary shares saw only a portion of the offered shares subscribed by existing shareholders.

According to the weekly report of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, an additional 3,121,328,866 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each were listed on the market, resulting from the completion of Royal Exchange’s rights issue.

This falls short of the total intended issuance of 4,116,296,059 ordinary shares at a price of N0.50 per share.

Despite the lower-than-expected subscription rate, Royal Exchange remains optimistic about its future prospects.

The company’s unaudited 2023 report revealed significant growth in earned income, soaring by 253% to N882.32 million compared to the previous year.

This boost in earnings was attributed to increases in net interest income and profits from investments in associates, totaling N591.55 million.

Also, Royal Exchange reported a profit of N46.09 million for the year 2023, a stark turnaround from the loss of N150.47 million recorded in 2022.

The company’s restructuring efforts, with a focus on asset management, have contributed to its improved financial performance.

Despite the shortfall in its rights issue, Royal Exchange Plc remains committed to its growth trajectory, leveraging its strengthened financial position to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the insurance and financial services sectors.