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First Ally Capital advises Access Holdings Plc (“Access Holdings”) on the acquisition of 80% equity interest in First Guarantee Pension Limited (“FGPL”), the indirect acquisition of Sigma Pensions Limited, and the subsequent merger of Sigma Pensions Limited and First Guarantee Pension Limited leading to the creation of Access Pensions Limited.

First Ally Capital is pleased to have advised Access Holdings on its majority acquisition of First Guarantee Pension Limited and the subsequent acquisition by First Guarantee Pension Limited and First Ally Asset Management Limited of all the issued shares of Actis Golf Nigeria Limited, the sole shareholder of Sigma Pensions Limited.

Following the completion of the two acquisitions and with the approvals of the National Pension Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Access Holdings initiated the merger between Sigma Pensions and First Guarantee Pension Limited, which was subsequently sanctioned by the Federal High Court.

First Guarantee Pension Limited was dissolved without being wound up under the terms of the merger, and the enlarged Sigma Pensions was renamed Access Pensions Limited.

L-R: Dr Biodun Arokodare, Director, First Ally Capital; Mr Anthony Uponi, Director Personal Trust; Mr Anthony Owuye, Director, Personal Trust; Mr Ebenezer Olufowose, Group Manging Director, First Ally Capital; Major Gen Obi Umahi (Rtd), Special Guest; Dr Okey Nwuke Chairman, Personal Trust; Dr Ayoola Oduntan, Director, Personal Trust; Mr Edeki Bakare, Managing Director, Personal Trust and Mr Segun Omidele, Director, First Ally Asset Management at the recent opening of the head office of Personal Trust Microfinance Bank in Lagos.

Personal Trust Microfinance Bank, a subsidiary of First Ally Capital, recently opened its new head office building at 32, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu, Lagos. Prior to the opening, the bank operated from 67, Ogunlana Drive, which will continue to serve its clients located in Surulere and environs.

Personal Trust was incorporated in September 1993 as Personal Trust Savings and Loans Limited and operated as a primary mortgage bank until 2014 when it was acquired by First Ally Capital and converted to a state microfinance bank. It has four branches located in Jibowu, Surulere, Sandgrouse and Bariga. With significant new investment from First Ally Capital, Personal Trust has forayed into digital banking using strategic partnerships with FinTechs. It has invested in digital channels which enable its customers to transact business from the comfort of their homes, offices etc. The new office will not only give more people access to financial services but also draw the bank closer to its mission to serve and empower people, businesses and communities by creating wealth and enhancing lifestyles.

Speaking during the opening event, Dr Okey Nwuke, the Chairman of the board of Personal Trust said, “We are excited about the launch of our new head office. The new office provides a comfortable environment where we can change lives and impact people and businesses economically. We assure our customers that the exceptional customer satisfaction that has helped the company to thrive over the years, will be given increased impetus with the opening of our new office”.

The Group Managing Director of First Ally Capital, Mr Ebenezer Olufowose, in his remarks, noted that microfinance / digital banking is an important element of First Ally’s strategy. He noted that Personal Trust has been positioned as a digitally enabled microfinance bank adding that the Group will continue to support the bank to ensure that its capital base is robust at all times and that Personal Trust drives innovation in its chosen segment of the financial services industry.

RESTRUCTURING FINANCE FOR ENERGY ASSET PORTFOLIO

A presentation on “Restructuring Finance for Energy Asset Portfolio” delivered by the Managing Director / CEO of First Ally Capital Limited, Ebenezer Olufowose, at the Energy Finance Forum 2016 of the Centre for Petroleum Information (Energy Finance Group). The forum was themed “Financing Nigeria’s energy projects amid uncertainty”. The presentation highlights the build-up & financing of asset portfolio in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, the compelling reasons to restructure and restructuring finance options available to indigenous E & P players.

FIRST ALLY ART CATALOGUE

First Ally Capital is proud to showcase the stunning modern and contemporary artworks loaned from the Femi Akinsanya Art Collection FAAC, at our new corporate headquarters.

These art pieces represent some of the best works of art from artistic pioneers as well as leading and emerging artists from Nigeria and the African Continent. Our Group is driven by excellence and integrity through commitment to ethical behaviour, innovation and quality. As such, not only do the art pieces beautify and transform our space, they also stimulate our drive for innovation and excellence; they whet our appetite for continuous improvements; they reinforce our commitment to making First Ally the best place for smart, inquisitive and ambitious people to thrive; and they resonate well with our core objectives of providing innovative financing solutions and enabling growth.

We trust that our clients and other stakeholders will appreciate these beautiful artworks as much as we do.

My thanks go to our Chairman, Mr Olufemi Akinsanya, for generously loaning us these exciting artworks from his Collections. We are hugely indebted to him for his wonderful support to the First Ally Group. My gratitude also goes to Mrs Sandra Mbanefo Obiago for the beautiful display of professionalism in curating this corporate art collection in our office.

It was a great delight working with her on this very important assignment.