Business
Oceanic Bank Launches Customised Products
To satisfy the yearnings of every segment of the banking populace for personalised services, Oceanic Bank International Plc has delighted its teeming customers with the launch of an array of customized products.
A statement issued by the bank in Lagos said the new retail products were tailor made to meet the needs of every customer. The products are Easy Savings; Silver Savings and Silver Current; Gold Savings and Gold Current; Platinum Savings and Platinum Current.
The products, according to the bank, are a special package offering a wide range of banking products and benefits to reward their patronage saying the products were designed to cater for varying individual customers’ needs.
Explaining the reasons for the introduction of the products, the bank said, “why fit in when you stand out. At Oceanic Bank we recognize that individuals have different banking needs and that no single size fits all. We have therefore tailored the different variant to suit the banking requirements of our most valued customers”.
Identifying the features of the products, the bank management stated that the Oceanic Platinum in both current and savings account variation is for persons who require a COT free current account and want a flexible current account without transaction or account maintenance fees.
It stated further that the new products would be ideal for those who require more than a traditional current account, ‘out an improved one which comes with personalised services’
‘Also customers, who want the fall back of overdraft protection on their current account to cover emergencies.
Giving the uniqueness of the products, Oceanic Bank noted the products have the distinctive offerings such as personalised debit cards providing access to our 8,000 interwitch ATMs and 13,000 POS terminals nationwide; personalized cheque books allowing customers to make payments to third parties conveniently and overdraft facility.
The products are also supported by the bank’s subsidiaries and its reward partners who are also offering their services o compliment the benefits derivable from the products.
These complimentary services include term insurance, health plans, lifestyle benefits and free financial planning.
It added that subscribers to the product are to enjoy certain benefits and features such as dedicated wealth management specialist; convenience in building savings; flexibility as prospective account holder can pay in dividend warranty and make use as personalised cheques.
The Easy Savings Account was developed to offer excellent and comprehensive services to the lower end of the retail and mass segment. The segment includes artisans, petty traders, self-employed professionals, low income earners, housewives, students etc.
The product was specially designed to encourage savings and offer seamless account documentation process. Prospective customers stand to enjoy specific benefits such as minimum account opening balance of N500, zero operating balance, eligibility for a range of insurance products at amazing rates and up to 10 per cent discount on car repairs, refurbishment auto detail and servicing.
The Oceanic silver accounts and current and savings variants are designed for middle and moderate income earners.
The accounts are aimed at providing quality banking services to the junior workers, up and coming professionals as well as business men and women who desire a savings or transaction account that can tend to their needs as they aspire to progress in their careers and personal endeavours.
The bank explained that the silver current account is specially for people who desire a transaction account that is both affordable and rewarding. The features include: minimum opening balance of N5,000, revolving overdraft facility of up to 50 per cent of monthly salary, bounced cheque protections, auto standing order, save excess auto sweep, eligibility for a range of insurance product at amazing rates up to 10 per cent discounts on car repairs, refurbishment, auto detailing and services etc.
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.
