Business
GT Bank Forecasts N22bn Net Profit In Q3
Guaranty Trust Bank Plc has forecast gross earnings of N106.1 billion and profit after tax of N21.9 billion for the third quarter ending September 30, 2009.
The bank had already reported gross earnings of N36 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 compared with N23 billion in the first quarter of 2008, representing a growth of 57 per cent, profit before tax of N13 billion as against N9 billion in 2008; an increase of 44 per cents and a profit after tax of N10 billion as against N7 billion, a growth of 43 per cent.
Also, GT Bank had reported gross earnings of N104.120 billion for the 10 months ended December 31, 2008 compared with gross earnings of N81.496 billion during the 12 months ended February 28, 2008, representing a growth of 28 per cent.
The bank’s profit after tax stood at N28.316 billion in 2008 as against N21.169 billion in the 2007/2008 accounting year, an increase of 34 per cent.
The directors of the GTBank had recommended a divided of N1.00 per share and a bonus of one new share for every four held shareholders whose names appear in the register of members at May 5, 2009.
Mr Tayo Aderinokun, managing director of the bank, told business editors in Lagos recently that the bank would expand its operation to Francophone West Africa following the completion of its Anglo West African expansion.
He said the bank would leverage on the reputation of existing subsidiaries and also embarked on selected investment in the 2009 trading year.
The managing director said the goal of the bank is to become the number one bank in Nigeria in terms of profit before tax and return on equity by 2012. He said the bank intended to achieve the feat by maintaining its cost income stability and enhancing its leadership across West Africa.
The managing director also said the bank would achieve the targeted performances through focus on growth business, enhanced product and service offering and cost leadership.
Aderinokun said in institutional banking, the bank would capitalize on its existing relationship, oil and gas, telecoms and power, increase penetration in strengthening sectors as well as infrastructure and construction.
In the retail segment of the market, GTBank will target emerging, under-banked Nigerian middle class, embark on strategic branch expansion and invest in alternative delivery channels.
The bank will also focus on insurance, mortgage banking, investment banking and asset management and stock brokerage.
The managing director said under the future outlook of the bank, it would also ensure cost leadership through monthly budgets, out-sourcing of non-incentives for cost savings and invest in reliable technology and “productive” distribution channels.
The bank’s strategy has started to pay off as its first quarter performance for the 2009 trading year showed remarkable improvement over that of 2007.
GT Bank was incorporated as private limited liability company on July 20, 1990. It obtained a licence to operate as a commercial bank on August 1, 1990 and it commenced business on February 11, 1991.
It became a public limited liability company on April 2, 1996 and its shares were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on September 9, 1996.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
