Wema Bank Plc has successfully concluded the second tranche of its ₦50 billion Special Placement, a move that not only reinforces its capital base but also positions the institution well above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revised minimum capital requirements. The offering, which was fully subscribed, marks another key milestone in Wema’s multi-stage capital management program aimed at strengthening liquidity, expanding lending capacity, and driving digital innovation.
According to a statement released on October 17, 2025, the fresh capital raise comes on the heels of the Bank’s ₦150 billion Rights Issue completed in September, bringing Wema’s total qualifying capital to ₦264.87 billion—comfortably exceeding the ₦200 billion benchmark for commercial banks with national authorization. This proactive capital fortification places Wema among the few Nigerian banks that have already met regulatory thresholds ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
Managing Director and CEO Moruf Oseni described the achievement as a strategic success built on investor trust and regulatory alignment. “We’re delighted to have secured full regulatory approvals for our ₦50 billion special placement. This step enhances Wema Bank’s balance sheet resilience and empowers us to pursue new growth opportunities,” Oseni said, expressing appreciation to shareholders and customers for their continued confidence.
The proceeds will be channeled into accelerating digital transformation initiatives, deepening penetration across retail, SME, and corporate banking segments, and expanding the Bank’s lending capacity to productive sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. Additionally, part of the funding will support technology upgrades, human capital development, and operational efficiency, in line with Wema’s strategy to deliver superior customer experiences.
Wema’s robust capital stance has significantly boosted investor sentiment, with its share price appreciating by over 106% year-to-date (YtD)—the best performance among Nigerian banks in 2025. Financially, the Bank’s first-half 2025 results reflected strong momentum, reporting a pre-tax profit of ₦100.5 billion, up 229% from ₦30.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Total assets also climbed to ₦3.9 trillion, a 10.53% increase since December 2024, while retained earnings surged to ₦169.3 billion.
As the Bank prepares to release its Q3 2025 earnings, analysts say Wema’s early compliance with capital requirements and its strategic investment focus are likely to sustain momentum through 2026—cementing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most forward-looking and resilient financial institutions.
