Zenith Bank
 | ||
| Company type | Public limited company | |
|---|---|---|
| NGX: ZENITHBANK
Parent Zenith Bank |  | |
| Website | www | |
Zenith Bank Plc is a large financial service provider in Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa, headquartered in Victoria Island, Lagos. It is licensed as a commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the national banking regulator.[4]
As of 31 December 2019[update], it holds $16.1bn in total assets, with shareholders' equity of $854 million.
History
Competitive environment
The Nigerian banking industry of the early 1990s was led by a select group of four major banks: Union Bank, First Bank, UBA, and Afribank.
Foundation
In 1990 Jim Ovia founded Zenith bank plc to compete with the existing four major banks.[5] Zenith Bank was established in May 1990 and commenced banking operations in July of the same year. At inception, it had a capital base of $4 million. It began operations during a period of government liberalization of the banking sector when the central bank granted up to twenty banking licenses a year to investors. The bank's first office was originally a residential house in Victoria Island that was modified into a banking hall. In its early years, the bank witnessed a period of rapid growth.[6] In 1997, following a directive for banking institutions to shore up their capital base, Zenith increased its capitalization to 500 million naira.[7]
Growth using technology
In 1999, Zenith bank embraced the use of the internet for marketing financial services and to promote the use of online banking by consumers and becoming one of the earliest companies to invest in online banking.[8] In the early 2000s, Zenith's profile began to rise, its investments in information technology helped it compete against the major banks that had a larger branch outreach and it soon began to announce net profits comparable to some of the older big banks.[6]
IPO
On 17 June 2004, following a successful
The bank has equity investments in Zenith Custodian, Zenith Securities, and Zenith General Insurance.
Branch network
As of 2016[update], Zenith Bank had more than 500 branches and business offices in all
See also
- List of banks
- List of banks in Nigeria
References
- ^ a b c LSEG - Welcome Stories (21 March 2013). "London Stock Exchange Is Delighted To Welcome Zenith Bank To The Main Market". London: London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ a b Egobiambu, Emmanuel (March 19, 2024). "Zenith Bank Appoints Adaora Umeoji As First Female GMD/CEO". Channels TV.
- ^ a b Zenith Bank Plc (11 March 2017). "Zenith Bank PLC Annual Report - 31 December 2016" (PDF). Lagos: Zenith Bank Plc. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ CBN (27 September 2016). "List of Financial Institutions: Licensed Commercial Banks". Abuja: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Okowa salutes Jim Ovia at 70". Vanguard News. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
- ^ a b Salami, Semiu (August 21, 2000). "The Pearl of Banking". The News (Lagos).
- ^ Salami, Semiu (December 21, 1998). "Business Banks Falling Short". The News (Lagos).
- ^ Obiabaka, Chioma (July 6, 1999). "The 'In' Thing". The News (Lagos).
- ^ a b c Zenith Bank (27 September 2016). "Zenith Bank Plc: Corporate Information". Lagos: Zenith Bank. Retrieved 27 September 2016.