Access Bank seals $94m facilities with Dutch bank, two others

Access Bank Plc said it has secured a Subordinated Syndicated Loan Agreement with the Dutch development bank FMO, the French private sector development bank Proparco, and a leading investment firm, Symbiotics amounting to $93.8 million.

The lender said the tier-II capital facility was structured as a “10 years non-call 5 years” subordinated debt instrument, benefiting the bank for a period of 5 years.

In a statement, Access Bank chief executive, Herbert Wigwe said the facility would enable the bank to continue on its strategic path to becoming, “Africa’s gateway to the world even after the unexpected simultaneous surfacing of the two ‘Black Swans’ in 2020: COVID-19 and the international oil crisis.”

“This deal is in line with our strategy to deepen Access Bank’s footprint in the retail segment as well as increasingly support local micro, small and medium-size enterprises, thereby supporting job creation in the Nigerian economy.

“The need to boost capital is extremely important today in the context of the negative socio-economic impact of COVID-19, hence, the $93.8 million tier-II capital eligible loan will help us continue to sustainably support businesses that need finance. These businesses will be able to continually provide essential products and services thereby achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.”

Wigwe said the transaction was evidence of the bank’s commitment to facilitating economic growth and development in Nigeria and Africa as well as creating business opportunities for all stakeholders including women, across its entire value chain.

“We are truly inspired and we remain committed to our goal of being Africa’s gateway to the world,” Wigwe added.

On his part, the Chief Investment Officer at FMO, Linda Broekhuizen, said: “Once a very small player in the Nigerian financial services sector, Access Bank has become the largest bank in Nigeria with a wide array of financial services, including some very exciting gender finance work. We have been proud to support the team at Access Bank all those years, during good times and more challenging ones, like today.”

PROPARCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Gregory Clemente, said, “We are thrilled to further strengthen our partnership with Access Bank, a top tier African financial institution committed to mainstreaming sustainable business practices in its operations.

“This transaction illustrates both Proparco’s commitment to foster the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa thanks to its partnership with African financial institutions within the Choose Africa initiative as well as our renewed support to our existing clients in a challenging economic environment. This additional Tier II capital will give Access Bank the needed flexibility in the current context.”