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Ecobank Group Declares N311bn PAT in H1 2024 Results

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The earnings of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), a pan-African banking group, rose to the highest in at least nine years of N311 billion in the first six months of 2024. According to the bank’s latest financial statement, its after-tax profit rose by 196 percent to N311 billion in H1 from N105 billion in the same period in 2023, according to the company’s latest financial statement released on Tuesday. bank’s gross earnings surged by 179 percent to N1.78 trillion.

Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, said: “Our half-year results demonstrate the strength of our diversified business model. Despite facing macroeconomic challenges in some of our operating markets, the company increased its net revenues to $994 million and its profit before tax by 5% to $324 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation due to US dollar strength, the profit before tax increased by 23%. The return on tangible shareholder’s equity (ROTE) was 34.7%, compared to 27% in the previous year.”

“Our results also highlighted the significant progress made in our GTR strategy, with double-digit revenue growth in constant currency across all our businesses – 14%, 23%, and 25% in Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking and Consumer Banking, respectively. We gained share in trade services and observed increased client activity in wholesale payments and cards,” Awori continued.

“Our transformation agenda remains our top priority, with a focus on improving customer experience and driving efficiency and productivity. Despite persistent inflation, we achieved an efficiency ratio of 53.6%. We continue to right-size our risk-weighted assets, and our deposits franchise remains strong. Customer deposits rose 13% in constant currency to $19 billion, with current and savings accounts (CASA) comprising 81% of total deposits. With a loans-to-deposit ratio of 54%, we have room to take advantage of credit opportunities that meet our risk appetite if required,” Awori continued.

“In conclusion, we have confidence in the company’s long-term prospects. While near-term monetary and fiscal challenges persist, our sole focus remains enhancing the customer experience and meeting their financial needs. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our fellow Ecobankers for their hard work and dedication in delivering these results,” Awori concluded.

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Olam Agri relaunches Supreme Semolina to enrich consumer experience

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L-R: Siddarth Suri, Business Head, B2C, Grains and Animal Feed, Olam Agri in Nigeria; Abolaji Anifowose, Vice President, Commercial, Olam Agri in Nigeria, and Rotimi Akinneye of Rokinwa Foods, during the Supreme Semolina Relaunch in Lagos, recently.

Lagos, Nigeria, October 20, 2024 – Olam Agri in Nigeria, an agribusiness in food, feed and fibre, has reaffirmed its commitment to keep unlocking value for consumers and strive for a food-secure nation. The agribusiness’ grain and wheat milling business, Crown Flour Mill (CFM) Limited relaunched one of its leading product brands, Supreme Semolina, on Friday, October 18, 2024.The relaunch event which took place at Radisson Blu, Lagos, showcased the product’s improved quality and unrivalled competitive edge. The event also served as an occasion to engage with and honour the company’s trade partners. Supreme Semolina is a creamy coarse semolina made from wheat, enriched with micronutrients and iron. It has a firm and light texture that makes it ideal for consumption. The improved product captures new market tastes and evolving consumer values. Speaking during the product relaunch event, B2C Business Head, Grains and Animal Feed, Olam Agri in Nigeria, Siddarth Suri, “We are thrilled to announce the successful relaunch of Supreme Semolina and host our valued trade partners. This relaunch showcases our sensitivity and swift response to consumers’ changing demand for an enriched gastronomical experience.”“The relaunch goes beyond a facelift. We have been able to strategically reassess the product’s key parameters and reexamine the overall customer experience. Essentially, this product captures a new packaging format that makes it last longer and keep fresh till use. Initial response to the relaunch has been remarkable and products are available in the market.”Emphasising the significance of the product relaunch, Bola Adeniji, General Manager/ Head Marketing, Olam Agri in Nigeria, stated, “As a business that started in Nigeria more than three decades ago, Olam Agri keeps unlocking value for customers, enable farming communities to prosper sustainably and strive for a food-secure future. Supreme Semolina was first launched into the Nigerian market in 2004. The relaunch is a testament to our ongoing commitment to ensuring Nigerian consumers can access safe, secure and affordable food products.”

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Investment Strategies for Different Life Stages

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Now that you understand how to set financial goals, let’s move on to our next topic: Investment Strategies for Various Life Stages:Investing is a journey that evolves as you progress through various stages of life. Each stage has distinct financial priorities, goals, and risk tolerances, requiring tailored investment strategies to ensure long-term economic success. Whether you are just stepping into adulthood, entering your mid-career phase, or preparing for retirement, aligning your investment approach with your current life stage is essential for building and preserving wealth.Early Adulthood (Ages 18–30): Setting the Foundation for GrowthThe early adulthood is marked by fresh beginnings—completing education, starting a career, and becoming financially independent. During this stage, individuals typically have a long investment horizon, which allows them to take on more risk.At this age, the primary focus should be on building a solid financial foundation. Start by creating a budget that prioritizes saving, paying off high-interest debt, and setting up an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. Once these essentials are in place, begin exploring investment opportunities that offer growth potential over time.Key Strategies:• Invest in Stocks: With decades ahead of you, investing in equities can provide the high returns needed to grow your wealth over the long term. Consider contributing to individual stocks or low-cost index funds.• Start Retirement Savings Early: Take full advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans and contribute enough to get any matching benefits. If available, open an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) to diversify your retirement savings.• Take Risks: This is the time to be more aggressive in your portfolio choices since your long-time horizon allows you to recover from market downturns.• Invest in Yourself: Beyond financial markets, investing in education, skills, and personal development can have long-lasting benefits for your earning potential.By setting the groundwork for your financial future in your twenties, you can capitalize on compounding growth and set up habits that will help you in the years to come.Midlife (Ages 30–45): Balancing Growth with ResponsibilitiesAs you move into your 30s and 40s, your financial responsibilities typically increase, especially if you are buying a home, supporting a family, or advancing in your career. While it is still important to focus on growing your wealth, you also need to balance growth with more stability as your obligations expand.In this stage, you may have more disposable income, but it is essential to keep financial discipline and avoid lifestyle inflation, which can derail long-term goals. Your investment strategy should now include more diversification to protect against market volatility while continuing to build wealth.Key Strategies:• Diversify Your Portfolio: In addition to stocks, consider distributing part of your portfolio to bonds, real estate, or dividend-paying stocks. A balanced portfolio can provide growth while reducing risk exposure.• Increase Retirement Contributions: As your income increases, try to max out contributions to retirement accounts. This is also a suitable time to consider diversifying into other tax-efficient investment vehicles, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or brokerage accounts.• Plan for Education Expenses: If you have children or plan to in the future, start saving for education costs through savings plans or other investment vehicles.• Protect Your Assets: Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, including health, life, and disability insurance, to safeguard your financial well-being.Balancing wealth accumulation with stability during this period will set the stage for a secure financial future as your career peaks and family responsibilities grow.Late Career (Ages 45–60): Shifting Toward Preservation and IncomeIn your late 40s and 50s, retirement is no longer a distant concept—it is an impending reality. During this stage, you should begin shifting your investment strategy from aggressive growth to a more balanced approach that prioritizes wealth preservation and income generation.This is also the time to carefully review your retirement savings and evaluate whether your current strategy will allow you to meet your post-retirement goals. The risk tolerance naturally decreases in this stage, as you have fewer working years left to recover from significant market downturns.Key Strategies:• Reduce Risk Exposure: Gradually shift your portfolio towards more conservative investments, such as bonds, fixed-income funds, or dividend-paying stocks. The goal is to preserve capital while keeping some exposure to growth.• Maximize Retirement Savings: With retirement on the horizon, take advantage of catch-up contributions for retirement accounts that allow you to save more after age 50. Review your projected retirement income and adjust contributions as needed.• Plan for Healthcare Costs: As you get closer to retirement, healthcare expenses become a more significant consideration. Look into long-term care insurance and ensure you have a plan for covering medical costs in retirement.• Diversify Income Streams: Consider diversifying your income sources through annuities, rental income, or other forms of passive income to provide added security in retirement.At this stage, your primary goal should be to transition from wealth-building to wealth preservation, ensuring that your financial assets will last throughout your retirement years.Retirement (Ages 60 and beyond): Preserving Wealth and Generating IncomeOnce you have retired, the focus shifts entirely to protecting the wealth you’ve accumulated and ensuring a steady income stream to support your lifestyle. With no active income from work, it is critical to manage your assets carefully to make them last throughout your retirement years.Retirement brings a lower risk tolerance, as large losses can significantly affect your quality of life. As such, your portfolio should be predominantly conservative, emphasizing income generation and capital protection.Key Strategies:• Generate Steady Income: Look for reliable income sources, such as bonds, dividend-paying stocks, or annuities, to cover daily living expenses without drawing too heavily on your retirement savings.• Maintain Liquidity: Ensure that you have enough liquid assets to cover immediate expenses and any emergencies that may arise. Having access to cash or liquid investments like money market funds can prevent the need to sell long-term investments at inopportune times.• Manage Withdrawals Carefully: Develop a withdrawal strategy that allows your assets to last for the duration of your retirement. One popular method is the 4% rule, where you withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year, adjusted for inflation. However, this should be customized based on your unique financial situation.• Review Estate Plans: Ensure your estate plans are up to date to reflect your wishes about the distribution of your assets after your death. Regularly review your beneficiaries, wills, and trusts to avoid potential legal issues for your heirs.Managing wealth in retirement is about finding the right balance between enjoying your hard-earned savings and ensuring they will sustain you for the rest of your life.ConclusionInvesting is not a one-size-fits-all journey. As you move through various stages of life, your financial priorities and risk tolerance evolve, requiring you to adjust your investment strategy accordingly. In your younger years, focus on aggressive growth to build a solid foundation. In midlife, balance growth with stability to protect your assets while continuing to grow wealth. As you near retirement, shift towards preserving capital and generating income to ensure a comfortable and secure future. No matter the life stage, staying informed, regularly reviewing your financial plan, and seeking professional advice, when necessary, will help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

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Ecobank Nigeria to Host Design and Build Expo, Featuring Premier Exhibitors

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Lagos, October 20, 2024 – Ecobank Nigeria is set to host its inaugural Design & Build Expo, aimed at highlighting the latest trends, innovations, and sustainable practices in architecture, construction, building materials, household appliances, engineering, and interior design. This carefully curated five-day event tagged “Building Nigeria Together” will take place from November 27 to December 1, 2024, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Victoria Island, Lagos, starting daily at 10:00 am. Approximately 60 exhibitors have already signed up to present their products and innovations at this significant fair. During the event announcement in Lagos, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized that the expo is part of the bank’s broader initiative to support the country’s economic development. The expo aims to provide a platform for professionals in the design and building sectors to showcase and sell their offerings to a larger audience, while also facilitating valuable networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, consumers, and stakeholders in the economy. The expo will focus on businesses that include real estate development, kitchen fittings, tiling and flooring, interior design, lighting, woodwork, electronics, and construction tools and equipment. “As a Pan-African bank, this expo aligns with our mission to contribute to the economic growth of the countries we operate in. It’s a unique opportunity for industry players to showcase their products, network, and promote the adoption of sustainable practices, emphasizing renewable materials and energy-efficient technologies,” Odu stated. Ms. Odu also highlighted that exhibitors would gain significant exposure to key decision-makers, influencers, and potential clients, allowing them to showcase their offerings and engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and live demonstrations. This will enhance their brand visibility, provide valuable market insights, and help them explore emerging industry trends. She concluded with an open invitation to stakeholders and enthusiasts in the real estate sector – asking that they join us at this novel exhibition and collectively let us combine forces in Building Nigeria Together. In addition to the expo, Ecobank Nigeria has launched various initiatives to support SMEs and boost the economy, including the successful Adire Lagos Experience, +234 Art Fair, Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, and Oja Oge 2024. The bank is also conducting its monthly MySME Growth Series, aimed at training and empowering over 1 million SME operators nationwide by the end of the year.

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