Shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc at the 30th Annual General Meeting last week at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos approved the dividend payment of N3.12bn which translated to 11 kobo per share.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Speaking at the bank’s 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos last week, the MD/CEO of the bank Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo said the bank would continue to focus on redesigning its systems and processes to enhance service delivery, just as it will deepen cost optimization initiatives to reduce operating expenses and cost-to-service.
Mr. Okonkwo stated further that the bank will catalyze growing opportunities in the Nigerian economy, to deliver good returns to shareholders in 2018.
Whilst shedding light on the evolving dynamics in the financial services industry, Okonkwo noted that the bank will continue to increase the adoption and migration of customers to its digital platforms and increase its retail banking market share through the delivery of innovative products and services. “We will enhance our robust electronic banking processes and products thereby deepening our hold on the retail and commercial markets, small and medium scale enterprises and niche corporate clientele” he stated.
Whilst business operations were challenged by limited foreign currency liquidity in the banking industry, low financing opportunities especially in the public sector space and high cost of business operations, Fidelity Bank delivered very strong results in 2017, a performance he attributed to balance sheet optimization and a focused execution of its medium-term strategies “Clearly, our success in 2017 financial year has set a strong pedestal for sustained growth in revenue. We are optimistic about a favorable operating environment and we look forward to delivering decent set of numbers at the end of 2018 financial year” Okonkwo said.
Meanwhile enthused shareholders at the AGM who spoke against the backdrop of the banks FY2017, which saw profits rise by nearly 100%, commended the Board, Management and staff, acknowledging the strides it has made in strengthening its corporate governance policies and deepening its retail play with technology.
Dr. Faruk Umar, President of Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders lauded the bank for declaring dividend of 11 kobo per share. He said this was very delightful coming at a time when a number of other institutions are unable to pay dividends.
On his part, Moses Ogundeji, Member Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, pointed out that shareholders appreciated the efforts of the Board, Management in the transformation that is on-going at the bank and assured of the continued support of the shareholders.
Also speaking to the shareholders, Chairman, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Ernest Ebi, said the bank was strategically poised to successfully navigate the business environment in 2018. Ebi expressed optimism that the expected improvements in the global landscape would trickle down to the domestic economy to consolidate the comforting business climate witnessed towards the end of 2017.
