Business
FinBank Posts N2.3bn Profit
FinBank Plc has announced its financial performance in the half year ended June 30, 2010 with a record improvement in profit after tax of N2.3 billion, and N2.2 billion recorded in the half-year result for 2009.
The June 2010 financials of the bank, which was made available to The Guardian, indicates gross earnings of N22.05 billion and a rise in deposit base to N220.20 billion, a 12.01 per cent growth when compared with the N196.43 billion deposit base in December 2009.
FinBank’s records, which is the second quarterly results to be published since the CBN intervention and institution of the turnaround managers in August 2009 appears to have settled on the path of stable profitability as it significantly reduced its operating expenses to N10.89 billion in June 2010, indicating a 32.78 per cent decrease against the N14.46 billion expended in the corresponding period of 2009.
Total assets of the bank also increased to N195.76 billion in the financial period under review, reflecting a 24.02 per cent rise over the December 2009 level of N157.84 billion.
The current financial performance of the bank is accentuated further on account of the bank’s adequate provision for a N152 billion non-performing loans and advances in the last financial year.
According to the statement, the provisioning was done as part of the bank’s determination to comply with the CBN policy that banks should make full disclosure of their risk assets and provide adequately for them.
It added that, FinBank have also fully adopted the Modified International Financial Reporting system, which the CBN urged all banks operating in Nigeria to adopt, with effect from December 2009.
FinBank’s outstanding financial result has clearly distinguished it as the first among its peers of affected banks to post positive results, placing it among the league of stable banks in the country.
An inside source, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that some of the turnaround strategies that have led to the sharp recovery and profitability of the bank include the new executive management’s insistence on high standards and practices, as well as, a renewed culture of providing efficient and reliable banking services to the teeming customers of the bank.
He further revealed that the executive management sent by the CBN has insisted on transparent reporting and timeliness of reporting which has improved the bank’s operation and positioned it on a path of sustainable growth and profitability.
Meanwhile, market analysts are of the view that FinBank’s half year result, which places it among the profit making banks in the country will be enhanced after the recapitalisation exercise, adding that it can only get better in view of the bank’s enhanced fundamentals.
According to them, the result clearly explains why the bank continues to be the toast of both international and local investors, who are determined to participate in the bank’s quest to increase capital.
On the other hand, the management of the bank has expressed its commitment to continue to maintain the performance by further intensifying efforts in the areas of cost containment, enterprise risk management, corporate governance and process improvement.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revised its cash withdrawal rules, discontinuing the special authorisation previously permitting individuals to withdraw N5 million and corporates N10 million once monthly, with effect from January 2026.
In a circular released Tuesday, December 2, 2025, and signed by the Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, FIRS, Dr. Rita I. Sike, the apex bank explained that previous cash policies had been introduced over the years in response to evolving circumstances.
However, with time, the need has arisen to streamline these provisions to reflect present-day realities.
“These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels.
“Effective January 1, 2026, individuals will be allowed to withdraw up to N500,000 weekly across all channels, while corporate entities will be limited to N5 million”, it said.
According to the statement, withdrawals above these thresholds would attract excess withdrawal fees of three percent for individuals and five percent for corporates, with the charges shared between the CBN and the financial institutions.
Deposit Money Banks are required to submit monthly reports on cash withdrawals above the specified limits, as well as on cash deposits, to the relevant supervisory departments.
They must also create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on excess withdrawals.
Exemptions and superseding provisions
Revenue-generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments, along with accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks, are exempted from the new withdrawal limits and excess withdrawal fees.
However, exemptions previously granted to embassies, diplomatic missions, and aid-donor agencies have been withdrawn.
The CBN clarified that the circular is without prejudice to the provisions of certain earlier directives but supersedes others, as detailed in its appendices.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) says Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.
Mr Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the sector was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.
“A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the U.S. or Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Osifo said the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.
“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.
He said PENGASSAN had recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.
“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.
He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.
Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.
He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.
“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.
On insecurity, Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.
“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.
He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.
Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.
He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.
“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said.
He urged government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.
“Translate macro results to food on the table,” he said.
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