UBA launches full banking operations in UK
Three weeks after the UBA group launched its operations in Mali, the global financial city of London hosted a high level gathering of business and public sector leaders on Thursday February 28, 2019, as the new UBA franchise, UBA UK was formally birthed in the United Kingdom amidst high expectations.
At the upscale ceremony which held at the Prestigious Shard in the city of London, UBA UK was formerly introduced to business leaders across Europe and Africa with a commitment from the UBA Group of its readiness to galvanise trade and commerce between Europe and Africa.
Speaking at the event, the Group Chairman, Mr. Tony Elumelu said the Group is excited by the authorization of the relevant regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom for UBA to upgrade its operation and further fulfil its aspiration of deepening trade and investments flows between Africa and Europe. One of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions, First Bank Plc, has disclosed that it is considering going public in other countries.
This came as the institution officially flagged off its 125th anniversary across its various locations of operations including its head office in Lagos, where the official hoisting of the ceremonial flag took place on Friday.
Speaking at a media parley in honour of the quasquicentennial, the Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings, Urum Kalu Eke, said the group is only waiting for the appropriate time before listing in other markets where it operates.
According to him, the institution would liaise with investors and regulators at the right time when opportunities arise, adding however that the institution would retain its headquarters in Nigeria in line with the vision of the founding
Elumelu expressed that he is extremely pleased as UBA is living up to its mantra of being Africa’s global bank and positioning itself to support investors in key financial centres across the world.
Also speaking at the event, The Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, noted that, “UBA Group is the most efficient gateway for European corporates and institutions to access Africa, given the bank’s expansive network across most impact markets on the continent and its deep knowledge of the business terrains in Africa.
Some of the guests In attendance at the event were the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; President, Afreximbank, Dr. Benedict Oramah; Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E Shaukat Aziz; Member of the British House of Lords and Executive Committee Member of the All Party Africa Group, Rt. Hon Lord Anthony Tudor St. John amongst many others. fathers.
“These are bold statements aligning with the vision of the founding fathers, in the course of time, we will evaluate opportunities even as we work with the regulators, as we work with investors, with a view that we will continue to maintain our headquarters in Nigeria.
Commenting on the success of the Pan-African bank for over a century, the Chairman of FBN Holdings, Chief Oba Otudeko, in his opening statement said First Bank has in 125 years, impacted Nigeria’s economy driving financial inclusion.
He stressed that through its various services and innovations, the institution is now woven into the fabrics of the society, portraying an image that every Nigerian should be proud of, even as it has produced many great financial icons in the Nigerian economy.