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Access Bank Moves To Acquire Diamond Bank
Access Bank Moves To Acquire Diamond Bank
There are very strong indications that Access Bank Group is close to acquiring Diamond Bank Plc, as the leaders of the two banks will reportedly meet with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) leadership on Monday to talk on a possible acquisition deal.
“I can confirm that there is an acquisition process in progress but we need to wait for the outcome if it is eventually concluded,” the source was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Also speaking, the Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said:
“We are aware that there have been meetings but we are yet to receive any formal communication from the parties in that respect.”
Trouble started for Diamond Bank after one of its foreign investors pulled out. The bank also secured a national license and closed its international operations.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Uzoma Dozie, with the closure, the bank will cease to operate as an international bank.
He said the move was part of Diamond Bank’s strategy to focus on Nigeria’s significant opportunities.
“The re-licensing as a national bank supports Diamond’s objective of streamlining its operations to focus resources on the significant opportunities in the Nigerian retail banking market, and the economy as a whole,” he stated.
The new deal, if approved by regulators, would see Access Bank acquire Diamond Bank.
Such a deal would also have to be approved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange and other regulators.
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