• Lagos, Nigeria
  • Info@bhluemountain.com
  • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Mon - Fri
  • April 28 2023

Check your name on JAMB matriculation list 2023

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) matriculation list is a database of candidates who have been offered admission by various tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It is important for candidates to verify their names on the list for several reasons. Here, we will not only let you know how to check your name on the JAMB matriculation list. We will also highlight why it is important to verify that your name is on this Matriculation list. Before how, why should you check your name on the JAMB matriculation list?  We have three reasons why you should check your name on the matriculation list. They are as follows: First, verification of one’s name on the JAMB matriculation list is a prerequisite for NYSC mobilisation. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) requires that every prospective corps member must have their name on the JAMB matric list before they can be mobilised for the mandatory one-year national service. Secondly, verification of one’s name on the matriculation list confirms that the admission offered by an institution is valid and recognised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. Candidates who do not verify their names on the list risk having their admission revoked by JAMB. This is because JAMB is the only body authorised to offer and validate admissions into tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Thirdly, verifying one’s name on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board matriculation list protects candidates from being scammed by fraudulent institutions. In recent years, there have been cases of fraudulent institutions offering fake admissions to unsuspecting candidates. By verifying their names on the JAMB matriculation list, candidates can be sure that the admission they have been offered is genuine. How to check your name on the JAMB matriculation list To verify their name on the the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board matriculation list, candidates are required to visit the body’s e-Facility website and follow the simple steps outlined there. You will simply be required to provide your JAMB registration number and year of examination. Once these details have been provided, the candidate’s name will be displayed if it is on the list.  What do you do to get your name on the JAMB matriculation list? Those who meet the requirements below will be placed on the matriculation list: Access your Letter of Admission via the e-Facility Portal and print It out. Use the e-Facility platform to view and print your Jamb Result Slip. Then proceed to seek confirmation from your institution’s admissions officer on both documents. It is important to note that only candidates who have been offered admission by recognized institutions will have their names on the JAMB matriculation list. Candidates who have not been offered admission or who have been offered admission by unrecognized institutions will not have their names on the list. Final thoughts Verifying one’s name on the JAMB matriculation list is a crucial step in the admission process for tertiary institutions in Nigeria. It confirms the validity of one’s admission, protects candidates from fraudulent institutions, and is a prerequisite for NYSC mobilization. Candidates are advised to verify their names on the list as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute issues that may arise.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

For as low as $500, you can invest in this edtech startup

AltSchool Africa, an edtech startup, has partnered with Fast Forward Venture studio, and HoaQ to allow members of its community and students to own a part of the startup with as low as $500 in investment. Adewale Yusuf, CEO of AltSchool Africa, made the announcement via a LinkedIn post on Thursday, April 27.  Via the LinkedIn post, Yusuf listed procedures for participating in the round, intending investors can participate in the fund round through any of the two websites provided in the LinkedIn post. Per one of the websites for the deal, the target for the funding round is pegged at $3 million with a minimum contribution of about $500 from each participant. The investment round runs until May 15, 2023.  A notable investor in this funding round is an unspecified “biggest bank” in Nigeria. The website also contains other deal terms, which include AltSchool’s pitch deck and a commitment form which is to be filled by intending investors.  The second website for investing is straightforward and contains a form to be filled by intending investors. After intending investors fill out the form on the website, they will receive approval via email and be notified about the deal. “We’ll email you as soon as you’re approved to view the deal!” the website read. Equipping the next generation of African tech Giants Africa has a young population with a huge digital skills gap, which is diluting economic opportunities and development. According to a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) [pdf], some 230 million jobs across the continent will require some level of digital skills by 2030. AltSchool Africa is solving this problem by providing a platform where Africans can learn in-demand skill techs to access opportunities across the world.  AltSchool Africa strongly believes that the key to unlocking Africa’s potential is to equip its growing population with the skill and tools they need to succeed in the digital age. With over 17,000 applications processed from over 76 countries in 2022, AltSchool Africa’s CEO says they are just getting started. He believes that with the current funding round opened to communities, AltSchool Africa can make a real difference in the lives of young Africans.  “As a community-oriented company, we are opening up a part of our round to communities. We believe that with your investment, we can make a real difference in the life of young Africans and help them access the opportunities they deserve,” Yusuf concluded.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

With as low as $500, you can invest in this edtech startup

AltSchool Africa, an edtech startup, has partnered with Fast Forward Venture studio, and HoaQ to allow members of its community and students to own a part of the startup with as low as $500 in investment. Adewale Yusuf, CEO of AltSchool Africa, made the announcement via a LinkedIn post on Thursday, April 27.  Via the LinkedIn post, Yusuf listed procedures for participating in the round, intending investors can participate in the fund round through any of the two websites provided in the LinkedIn post. Per one of the websites for the deal, the target for the funding round is pegged at $3 million with a minimum contribution of about $500 from each participant. The investment round runs until May 15, 2023.  A notable investor in this funding round is an unspecified “biggest bank” in Nigeria. The website also contains other deal terms, which include AltSchool’s pitch deck and a commitment form which is to be filled by intending investors.  The second website for investing is straightforward and contains a form to be filled by intending investors. After intending investors fill out the form on the website, they will receive approval via email and be notified about the deal. “We’ll email you as soon as you’re approved to view the deal!” the website read. Equipping the next generation of African tech Giants Africa has a young population with a huge digital skills gap, which is diluting economic opportunities and development. According to a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) [pdf], some 230 million jobs across the continent will require some level of digital skills by 2030. AltSchool Africa is solving this problem by providing a platform where Africans can learn in-demand skill techs to access opportunities across the world.  AltSchool Africa strongly believes that the key to unlocking Africa’s potential is to equip its growing population with the skill and tools they need to succeed in the digital age. With over 17,000 applications processed from over 76 countries in 2022, AltSchool Africa’s CEO says they are just getting started. He believes that with the current funding round opened to communities, AltSchool Africa can make a real difference in the lives of young Africans.  “As a community-oriented company, we are opening up a part of our round to communities. We believe that with your investment, we can make a real difference in the life of young Africans and help them access the opportunities they deserve,” Yusuf concluded.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

With as low as $500, you can invest in this edtech startup

AltSchool Africa, an edtech startup, has partnered with Fast Forward Venture studio, and HoaQ to allow members of its community and students to own a part of the startup with as low as $500 in investment. Adewale Yusuf, CEO of AltSchool Africa, made the announcement via a LinkedIn post on Thursday, April 27.  Via the LinkedIn post, Yusuf listed procedures for participating in the round, intending investors can participate in the fund round through any of the two websites provided in the LinkedIn post. Per one of the websites for the deal, the target for the funding round is pegged at $3 million with a minimum contribution of about $500 from each participant. The investment round runs until May 15, 2023.  A notable investor in this funding round is an unspecified “biggest bank” in Nigeria. The website also contains other deal terms, which include AltSchool’s pitch deck and a commitment form which is to be filled by intending investors.  The second website for investing is straightforward and contains a form to be filled by intending investors. After intending investors fill out the form on the website, they will receive approval via email and be notified about the deal. “We’ll email you as soon as you’re approved to view the deal!” the website read. Equipping the next generation of African tech Giants Africa has a young population with a huge digital skills gap, which is diluting economic opportunities and development. According to a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) [pdf], some 230 million jobs across the continent will require some level of digital skills by 2030. AltSchool Africa is solving this problem by providing a platform where Africans can learn in-demand skill techs to access opportunities across the world.  AltSchool Africa strongly believes that the key to unlocking Africa’s potential is to equip its growing population with the skill and tools they need to succeed in the digital age. With over 17,000 applications processed from over 76 countries in 2022, AltSchool Africa’s CEO says they are just getting started. He believes that with the current funding round opened to communities, AltSchool Africa can make a real difference in the lives of young Africans.  “As a community-oriented company, we are opening up a part of our round to communities. We believe that with your investment, we can make a real difference in the life of young Africans and help them access the opportunities they deserve,” Yusuf concluded.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More
  • April 28 2023

GTCO’s 2022 financial report shows growing concern about fraud

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) says the bank and company as whole experienced more fraud attempts compared to 2021. According to its 2022 full year financial report, the number of recorded fraud incidents increased by 84.27%, reaching 27,725. Additionally, the amounts associated with these fraud cases increased from ₦1.2 billion to ₦6.4 billion. GTCO’s announcement follows a trend of increasing fraud incidents by deposit money banks in Nigeria. Between 2020 and 2021, fraudulent activity recorded by deposit banks in Nigeria rose to 211,713—a 44.8% jump, according to data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Scheme (NDIC). Per data from Smile Identity, a KYC provider, fraud attempts increased by 50% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2022. The first half of 2022 alone recorded a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) announced that it was investigating Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank over alleged data breaches. According to the NDPB’s head of legal enforcement and regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the investigations were triggered by allegations of unlawful disclosure of banking records to a third party and unlawful access and processing of personal data. Zenith Bank did not disclose any information about its experience with fraud in 2022. But in 2022, the bank was the butt of jokes and customer complaints online alledging fraudulent transfers or payments from customer accounts. Besides Zenith Bank, several of Nigeria’s largest lenders have not published their annual reports for 2022, almost a month after the deadline set by the capital market regulator, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Speaking to the prevalence of fraud incidents in Nigerian banks, Bamigboye said: “There are reports by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) which indicated that within nine months of 2020, fraudsters attempted 46,126 attacks and they were successful with 41,979 occasions representing 91 per cent of the time.”  Results from the investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank are not yet public, but some cybersecurity experts TechCabal spoke with explained that data breaches are often precursors to fraud incidents.  Teaming up to fight fraud is not a new idea. What’s stopping Nigerian fintechs? Drop in profits and shareholders’ earnings  GTCO’s profit continued its downward trajectory in 2022, with its profit-before-tax slumping 3.32% from  ₦221.49 bn to  ₦214.15bn. This represents a second fall in profits for the lender after a rise in 2021. It’s also a more than a 10% decline from the  ₦238.09bn reported in 2020. Additionally, the earnings per share stumbled from ₦6.14 to  ₦5.95 per share. However, the company’s gross earnings increased for the first time in recent years, shooting from  ₦447.81bn to  ₦539.23bn.  GTCO’s total assets showed a significant 18.6% increase from  ₦5.4 trillion to  ₦6.4 trillion, on the back of increasing deposits from customers. The holding company reported an increase in customer deposits—from  ₦4.01 trillion to ₦4.48 trillion. The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) rose slightly from 23.83% to 24.08%.   The banking group says declining profits were driven by a ₦35.6bn impairment it took on reorganised Ghanaian sovereign securities. Additionally, non-performing loans to individuals and non-individuals increased between 2021 and 2022.  Rising deposits also fueled commercial loans, but in line with the trend in Nigeria’s banking sector, the bank’s loan book was dominated by loans to large corporations. The full-year statement brings focus to the question of how beneficial GTBank’s restructuring to a holding company has been for shareholders. With the earnings per share taking a beating, shareholders might have to play the long game and hope GTCO’s suite of subsidiaries finds roots in respective markets.

Read More