Access Scheme of Merger
Access Scheme of Merger
Access Scheme of Merger
If you are in doubt as to what action to take, it is recommended that you immediately consult your stockbroker, banker, solicitor, accountant,
or any other independent professional adviser duly registered under the Investments and Securities Act (No. 29 of 2007)
If you have sold all your shares in either Access Bank Plc and/or Diamond Bank Plc, please hand over this document and the accompanying
proxy forms to the purchaser(s), the stockbroker or bank through whom the shares were sold, for transmission to the purchaser.
The distribution of this document in jurisdictions other than Nigeria may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this
document come should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with such restrictions may constitute a
violation of the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
SCHEME OF MERGER
(Under Part XII of the Investments and Securities Act No. 29 of 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Rules 421 to 429 of the Rules and
Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 2013 (as amended), made pursuant to Part XII of the Investment and Securities Act No. 29 of
2007)
BETWEEN
AND
ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC
RC 125384 RC 161996
Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited and Union Capital Markets Limited are acting as Financial Advisers in respect of the Scheme of Merger
between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc
Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited will not be responsible to any person, individual or corporate body other than Access Bank Plc, and
Union Capital Markets Limited will not be responsible to any person, individual or corporate body other than Diamond Bank Plc for providing
advice in relation to the transactions and arrangements referred to herein.
Notices convening the respective Court-Ordered Meetings of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc are set out on pages 97 to 100. To be
valid, proxy forms must be completed, signed and stamped (together with the Power of Attorney or other authority- if any – under which they
are signed and in accordance with the instructions printed thereon), and must be returned to the respective Registrars of Access Bank Plc and
Diamond Bank Plc (as applicable) not later than 24 hours before the time scheduled for the respective Court-Ordered Meetings.
THE PROPOSALS, WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED MERGER SET OUT IN THIS DOCUMENT,
HAVE BEEN CLEARED WITH THE SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE ACTIONS THAT YOU ARE REQUESTED TO
TAKE ARE SET OUT ON PAGE 19 OF THIS SCHEME DOCUMENT. THE NOTICES FOR THE COURT ORDERED MEETINGS ARE
CONTAINED IN PAGES 97 TO 100
FINANCIAL ADVISER TO ACCESS BANK PLC FINANCIAL ADVISER TO DIAMOND BANK PLC
RC 1381308 RC 370890
Page 2
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this document except where otherwise stated:
TERM DEFINITION
“Act” or “ISA” means the Investments and Securities Act (No. 29 of 2007)
“Access Bank” or the “Bank” means Access Bank Plc
“Access Bank’s Existing Shareholders” means the shareholders of Access Bank whose names appear on the
register of members of Access Bank as at the Qualification Date
“Board” means the Boards of Directors of Access Bank or Diamond Bank in
the relevant context
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday
declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria, on which banks
are open for business in Nigeria
“CAC” means the Corporate Affairs Commission
“CAMA” means the Companies and Allied Matters Act - Cap C20, Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria 2004
“Cash Consideration” means N1.00 for every Scheme Share, being the sum payable by
Access Bank to the Diamond Bank Shareholders under the Scheme
“CBN” means the Central Bank of Nigeria
“Chapel Hill Denham” means Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited
“Court” or “FHC” means the Federal High Court of Nigeria
“Court-Ordered Meeting” means any of the separate meetings of the existing shareholders of
Access Bank and Diamond Bank convened by order of the Court
“Court Sanction” means an order made by the Court approving and giving effect to
the Scheme
“CSCS” means Central Securities Clearing System
“CTC” means Certified True Copy
“Diamond Bank” means Diamond Bank Plc
“Diamond Bank Shareholders” means the shareholders of Diamond Bank whose names appear on
the register of members of Diamond Bank as at the Qualification
Date
“Effective Date” means the date on which the Court sanctions the Scheme
“Enlarged Access Bank” means the post-merger institution which is formed from the merger
of Access Bank and Diamond Bank
“Explanatory Statement” means the statement dated January 24, 2019 issued by the Financial
Advisers to the shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank
for the purpose of explaining the terms, conditions and effects of
the Scheme and set out on Pages 14 to 23 of this Scheme Document
“Financial Advisers” means in respect of (a) Access Bank, Chapel Hill Denham; (b)
Diamond Bank, Union Capital
“FIRS” means the Federal Inland Revenue Service
“M&A” means Mergers and Acquisitions
“N” or “Naira” means the currency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Page 3
DEFINITIONS
“Net Asset Value” or “NAV” means the net asset value of a company calculated in accordance
with applicable International Financial Reporting Standards
“NSE” means The Nigerian Stock Exchange
‘’Qualification Date’’ means the date agreed by the Parties, on which the register of
members of the Parties shall be closed for the purpose of
determining the shareholders who will be eligible to attend and
vote at the Court-Ordered Meetings
“Pari Passu” means equally
“Parties” means collectively, Access Bank and Diamond Bank; and “Party”
means each of them individually
“Scheme “ or “Scheme of Merger” means the proposed Scheme of Merger between Access Bank and
Diamond Bank pursuant to Part XII of the ISA, and as set out on
pages 26 to 30 of this Scheme Document
“Scheme Document” means this document setting out the Scheme, the Explanatory
Statement, the notices of Court-Ordered Meetings and the various
appendices herein
“Scheme Shares” means the 6,617,253,991 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the
share capital of the Enlarged Access Bank which shall be issued,
allotted and credited as fully paid to the Diamond Bank
Shareholders pursuant to the Scheme
“SEC” means the Securities & Exchange Commission
“Subsidiary” means the same as defined in Section 338 of CAMA
“Terminal Date” means the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date
“Union Capital” means Union Capital Markets Limited
“Untraceable Shareholders” means holders whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained after
reasonable efforts have been made to find them including by
contacting their last known and/or registered addresses and by
publication in national daily newspapers
1Certain statements included herein may constitute forward-looking statements that could involve risks and uncertainties. Such
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”,
“are expected to”, “intends”, “will”, “will continue”, “should”, “would be”, “seeks”, “approximately” or “anticipates” or
similar expressions or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. These forward-looking
statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this document and
include statements regarding the Enlarged Access Bank’s intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other
things, Access Bank, and Diamond Bank, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and
the industries in which they operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they
relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future
Page 4
1. PROPOSED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS
EVENT DATE
Obtain Court Order to convene the Court-Ordered Meeting January 24, 2019
Obtain NSE approval to publish notice of the Court-Ordered Meeting January 24, 2019
Last date for lodging proxy forms for Court-Ordered Meetings March 4, 2019
File CTC of the Court Sanction with SEC and CBN April 2019
Submit application for full suspension and delisting of Diamond Bank shares at NSE April 2019
Publish copy of Court Sanction in at least two national newspapers/Gazette April 2019
Important Notice: The dates given above are indicative only, and are subject to possible changes without prior notice. This timetable assumes that Court
dates for the Scheme will be available as and when applied for; but, if this is not the case, then dates of key events in the timetable may be subject to corresponding
adjustments.
Page 5
2. DIRECTORS, COMPANY SECRETARIES AND OTHER PARTIES TO THE SCHEME
Page 6
DIRECTORS, COMPANY SECRETARY AND OTHER PARTIES TO THE SCHEME
DIAMOND BANK PLC
PGD’s Place Plot 4, Block V, BIS Way
Oniru Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos
Nigeria
Directors & Company Secretary of Diamond Bank Transaction Advisers to Diamond Bank
Page 7
3. CHAIRMEN’S LETTERS
RC 125384
Dear Sir/Madam,
PROPOSED SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK PLC AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
Access Bank Plc recently commenced the implementation of its 5-year (2018-2022) corporate strategic plan with
the vision to become Africa’s Gateway to the World and the World’s Most Respected African Bank within the
stated period. The building blocks of this vision comprise six levers viz: retail banking growth and wholesale
banking consolidation; digitally-led bank; customer focused bank; analytics driven insights and robust risk
management; global collaboration and universal payments gateway. More specifically, to explore prospects
directed at strengthening the Bank’s retail banking franchise, Access Bank appointed Chapel Hill Denham
Advisory Limited and Citigroup Global Markets Limited to advise the board on a number of potential inorganic
opportunities in the Nigerian banking sector that will enable Access Bank achieve scale more rapidly, as well as
enhance its business proposition.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Access Bank Plc, I am pleased to inform you that the Boards of Access Bank
Plc and Diamond Bank Plc have signed a Memorandum of Agreement following discussions between both parties.
The Board has approved the general terms of the merger and is now recommending that shareholders also approve
the merger. The merger will create a leading Tier 1 Nigerian bank and the largest bank in Africa by number of
customers. The merger will be consumated through a Scheme of Merger (“the Scheme”) under Part XII of the
Investments and Securities Act No. 29, 2007. Under the Scheme, Diamond Bank will transfer all its assets, liabilities
and undertakings to Access Bank (the Enlarged Access Bank). The entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank
shall be cancelled and Diamond Bank shall be dissolved without being wound up. Under the terms of the Scheme,
Diamond Bank Shareholders will receive consideration comprising: (i.) a cash consideration of N1.00 per share
and (ii.) 2 shares in the Enlarged Access Bank for every 7 Diamond Bank shares held as at the Effective Date.
Following completion of the Scheme, Access Bank will be the largest bank in Nigeria by total assets and the leading
Nigerian bank by several other key indices.
A merger with Diamond Bank enables Access Bank to acquire a bank with 17 million retail customers and the
most viable mobile payment platform. The expected revenue and cost synergies are material and promises
significant long term value. The combination will allow Access Bank to accelerate its prospects of becoming the
leading retail bank in Nigeria and Africa. Access Bank will benefit from Diamond Bank’s unparalleled retail
banking expertise and strong digital offering. Together, the two banks would create one of Nigeria’s leading banks;
with presently approximately 27 million customers, 3,100 ATMs and over 33,000 POS terminals, as well as more
than 10 million mobile customers. Access Bank and Diamond Bank share many areas of focus, including women,
Page 8
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
youth, the financially excluded, and entrepreneurs. This combination will undoubtedly enable Access Bank to
further develop its positioning and market leadership in these growth sectors.
The Enlarged Access Bank will have a robust mobile banking platform, ensuring that customers of the Enlarged
Access Bank will continue to access a strong mobile banking proposition. Access Bank and Diamond Bank also
operate the same technology platform, which the respective Boards believe will enable them to complete the
integration with minimal disruption or adverse impact on customers, in addition to generating significant
synergies.
a) The combination of Diamond Bank’s strong retail customer franchise and Access Bank’s proven risk
management and capital management expertise will create a new bank with strong value creation potential;
b) The merger accelerates the attainment of Access Bank’s objective of becoming a leading bank in Nigeria and
Africa's Gateway to the World. The Enlarged Access Bank will be the largest retail bank in Africa;
c) Diamond Bank has a formidable retail business with the largest retail customer base in Nigeria; over 17
million customers. Diamond Bank also has a track record of customer acquisition and low cost liabilities
generation. The Enlarged Access Bank will serve 27 million retail customers, almost double the number of
customers of any other bank in Nigeria and more than any other bank in Africa;
d) The Enlarged Access Bank’s breadth, scale and product range will further accelerate the financial inclusion
agenda that Access Bank and Diamond Bank had pursued separately;
e) The Enlarged Access Bank will increase its market reach and customer convenience through an expanded
network of over 600 branches, complemented by strengthened distribution channels;
f) The Enlarged Access Bank will have a formidable commercial banking business, through the combination
of the customers and by leveraging combined product offerings and marketing capabilities;
g) The Enlarged Access Bank’s robust balance sheet size will equip it to provide credit lines to a more
diversified client base; and
h) Access Bank’s and Diamond Bank’s operations perfectly complement each other and a merger with Diamond
Bank will be accretive to Access Bank, given Diamond Bank’s leadership in digital and mobile-led retail
banking. This in turn will accelerate Access Bank’s strategy as a significant full service bank in Nigeria and a
Pan-African financial services champion.
Diamond Bank Plc began operations as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991 having been
incorporated on March 15, 1991. In February 2001, Diamond Bank was granted a universal banking licence from
the Central Bank of Nigeria. Following a very successful private placement of shares, which substantially raised
Diamond Bank’s equity base, Diamond Bank was re-registered as a public limited company on January 28, 2005.
In May 2005, Diamond Bank was listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange (“The Exchange”). In November 2018,
Diamond Bank was re-licensed as a national bank following Diamond Bank’s decision to sell its international
operations.
Page 9
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Today, Diamond Bank is arguably the fastest growing retail bank in Nigeria with a track record of high quality
banking solutions for customers. Diamond Bank is a lead driver of financial inclusion, enhanced customer
experience through innovation and technology, and regarded as a supporter of lifestyle trends.
Diamond Bank currently operates as a full service commercial bank and has three key operating segments – retail,
business and corporate banking. The bank currently has one (1) operating subsidiary which is wholly owned -
Diamond Pension Fund Custodian - and a special purpose vehicle, Diamond Finance BV, incorporated in 2014 to
provide subordinated foreign currency loans to Diamond Bank Plc. Diamond Bank Plc is considered one of the
systemically important banks in Nigeria, by the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”); with customer deposits of circa
N1.1 trillion as of September 2018.
Industry Overview
The Nigerian banking industry currently consists of 21 commercial banks largely comprising domestic
institutions, 16 of which are publicly listed on The Exchange, and representing over 30% of the total market
capitalisation of The Exchange. The industry is primarily regulated by the CBN with the sole aim of ensuring high
standards of banking practice and financial stability.
The Nigerian banking industry is currently contending with multiple challenges including macro-economic
uncertainties, cyber risk, increased competition from alternative banking channels, increased regulations, and a
restive customer base demanding effective and flexible banking services. However, the outlook for the industry is
positive given the intensified efforts of the CBN to protect depositors’ funds. The implementation of IFRS 9 and
Basel III in the sector could potentially improve asset quality of banks and strengthen risk management. In
addition, Nigeria’s large unbanked population presents a unique opportunity for players with a wide branch
network and viable technologies to promote financial inclusion in the economy.
As part of the process for the merger, your Board engaged the services of several experts to advise on the proposed
transaction as disclosed on Page 6 of this document. The terms and effects of the Scheme are explained further in
an Explanatory Statement from the Financial Adviser on Pages 14 to 23 of this document.
Recommendations
The Board of Access Bank, as advised by its Financial Advisers, considers the terms of the Scheme to be fair and
reasonable. Therefore, the Board recommends that you vote in favour of the resolutions which are to be proposed
at the Court-Ordered Meeting of Access Bank as detailed on pages 97 and 98.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, please complete and return the enclosed form of proxy in
accordance with the instructions thereon. Please note that lodging a form of proxy does not prevent you from
attending the meeting and voting in person, should you subsequently decide to do so. However, in such instances,
your proxy will not be entitled to attend or vote.
Yours faithfully,
Access Bank Plc
Mosun Belo-Olusoga
Chairman
Page 10
B. LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF DIAMOND BANK
RC 161996
Dear Sir/Madam,
PROPOSED SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK PLC AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Diamond Bank Plc, I am pleased to inform you that the Boards of Diamond
Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc have signed a Memorandum of Agreement following discussions between both
parties. Your Board has approved the general terms of the merger and is now recommending that shareholders
also approve the merger. Exotix Capital (“Exotix”) advised the Board and negotiated the Memorandum of
Agreement on behalf of the Board. In addition, the Board, working with Exotix have appointed Union Capital
Markets Limited (“Union Capital”) as Financial Adviser to Diamond Bank. The merger will be effected through a
Scheme of Merger (“the Scheme”) under Part XII of the Investments and Securities Act No. 29, 2007. Under the
Scheme, Diamond Bank will transfer all its assets, liabilities and undertakings to Access Bank and will be dissolved
without being wound up. Following the Scheme, the merged entity will become the No.1 bank in Nigeria by total
assets and would be positioned to effectively compete and enhance its market share.
The combination of Access Bank and Diamond Bank will be beneficial to the shareholders of both banks and create
a bank with one of the most diversified national footprints in Nigeria, helping improve the financial inclusion goals
which both banks had pursued separately.
a) A combination of Diamond Bank’s strong customer franchise and Access Bank’s proven risk management
and capital management expertise will create a new Nigerian champion with strong value creation.
b) The combined entity will rank as the No. 1 bank in Nigeria by assets, loans, and deposits creating a highly
competitive platform, capable of extracting significant scale economies.
c) The combined entity would establish the largest retail bank in Africa by number of clients.
d) The transaction will create a bank with one of the most diversified national footprints of any bank in
Nigeria, helping improve the financial inclusion goals of Diamond Bank.
e) The proposed share deal as part of the total consideration allows Diamond Bank’s Shareholders to continue
to participate in the value that this transaction will generate, whilst giving customers access to a broader
range of products and services.
Page 11
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
f) The acceleration of Access Bank’s mobile and digital strategy will be further underpinned by a seamless
integration of the two banks’ similar technology platforms.
g) The complementary strengths of Diamond Bank’s focus on the broad business market and Access Bank’s
expertise in trade finance, cash management, treasury and corporate finance will drive opportunities
through the value chain to create an unparalleled suite of product offerings.
h) Access Bank possesses significant Mergers and Acquisitions (“M&A”) transaction experience. Access Bank
has successfully completed the acquisition and integration of other banking institutions over the last 2
decades, evidencing its enviable M&A track.
Access Bank is a full service commercial bank operating through branches and service outlets located in major
centres primarily across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the United Kingdom; with representative offices
in China, Lebanon, India and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai). The Bank provides a wide range of banking and
other financial services to over 10 million customers from 400 branches (324 in Nigeria) and service centres with
total assets of ₦4.6trillion, all as at September 30, 2018. Access Bank is one of the five largest banks in Nigeria in
terms of assets, loans and deposits, and is ranked as one of Africa's top 20 banks by total assets and capital. The
Bank's strategy focuses on the pursuit of building sustainable practices, innovation, superior service delivery and
employee empowerment.
Access Bank has defined the next five years (2018 - 2022) with the intention to become Africa’s Gateway to the
world. This is in addition to its vision to be the world’s most respected African Bank. Access Bank aims to be the
No. 1 bank in Nigeria by rapidly growing its retail customer base, SME client base, and by dominating the top 100
Nigerian corporates. Internationally, it will develop an integrated global franchise by growing its presence in key
African markets, global financial gateways, including London and New York, and trade hubs such as Dubai and
China.
As at September 30, 2018, Access Bank has over 800,000 shareholders, comprising institutional and individual
investors, both domestic and international, and more than 4,400 professional staff. Access Bank Plc is publicly listed
on The Nigerian Stock Exchange (“The Exchange”) and the Bank's debt instruments are listed on the Irish Stock
Exchange. Access Bank also has Money Market instruments - Commercial Paper(s) - quoted on the FMDQ OTC
Securities Exchange. As at September 30, 2018, the Bank has a credit rating of A from S&P, A+ from Fitch and Aa3
from Moody's.
Key product lines and services provided include: Corporate and Trade Finance operations; Treasury and
Investment Services; Retail Banking products and services (including current and savings accounts, credit cards,
automated teller machine ("ATM") services; electronic banking and retail lending); Money market activities; and
Private banking services/wealth management. Access Bank’s customer base cuts across individual, corporate,
institutional, and governmental categories and as such Access Bank manages these customers through its Corporate
and Investment Banking; Commercial Banking; Business Banking and Personal Banking Strategic Business Units.
Industry Overview
The Nigerian banking industry is currently comprised of 21 commercial banks largely comprising domestic
institutions, 16 of which are publicly listed on The Exchange, and representing over 30% of the total market
capitalisation of The Exchange. The industry is primarily regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (“CBN”) with
the sole aim of ensuring high standards of banking practice and financial stability.
The Nigerian banking industry is currently having to address multiple challenges including macro-economic
uncertainties, cyber risk, increased competition from alternative banking channels, increased regulations, and a
Page 12
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
restive customer base demanding effective and flexible banking services. However, the outlook for the industry is
positive given the intensified efforts of the CBN to protect depositors’ funds. The implementation of IFRS 9 and
Basel III in the sector could potentially improve asset quality of banks and strengthen risk management. In addition,
Nigeria’s large unbanked population presents a unique opportunity for players with a wide branch network and
viable technologies to promote financial inclusion in the economy.
Recommendation
The Board considers the terms of the Scheme to be fair and reasonable and therefore recommends that you vote in
favour of the resolutions which are proposed at the Court-Ordered Meeting of Diamond Bank as detailed on Pages
99 and 100.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, please complete and return the enclosed Proxy Form in
accordance with the instructions thereon. Kindly note that the lodging of a proxy form does not prevent you from
attending, and voting in person, should you subsequently decide to do so. However, in such instance, your proxy
will not be entitled to attend or vote.
Yours faithfully,
Diamond Bank Plc
Dele Babade
Acting Chairman
Page 13
4. EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
RC 1381308 RC 370890
Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited Union Capital Markets Limited
45 Saka Tinubu Street (1st Floor) 7 Fatai Durosinmi Etti Crescent
Victoria Island Victoria Island
Lagos Lagos
Dear Sir/Madam,
PROPOSED SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK PLC AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
5.1. INTRODUCTION
You will have been informed by the letters from your respective Chairmen, presented on pages 8 and 11
of this Scheme Document, of the Memorandum of Agreement between Access Bank Plc (“Access Bank”)
and Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank”) regarding the decision to combine all the assets, liabilities,
operations and undertakings of Access Bank and Diamond Bank.
The proposed merger will be effected through a Scheme of Merger pursuant to Part XII of the Investments
and Securities Act (No. 29 of 2007). Under the Scheme of Merger, (“the Scheme”), all the assets, liabilities
and undertakings including real property and intellectual property rights of Diamond Bank will be
transferred to Access Bank. Diamond Bank will subsequently be dissolved without being wound up.
Under the terms of the Scheme, Diamond Bank Shareholders will receive a cash consideration of N1.00
per share as well as a share consideration comprising 2 Access Bank shares for every 7 Diamond Bank
shares held as at the Effective Date.
Separate meetings of the shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank will be convened by order of
the Court for the purpose of considering and if thought fit, approving the Scheme (the Notices convening
the Court-Ordered Meetings are set out on pages 97 to 100 of this document). The reports of the Court-
Ordered Meetings together with the final approval of the SEC shall be presented to the Court along with
a petition for the Court Sanction.
The letters from your Chairmen convey the recommendation of your respective Boards that you vote in
favour of the Scheme at the Court-Ordered Meetings which will be convened to approve the Scheme. Your
Boards have authorised us to write to you, to explain, on their behalf, the mechanics and effects of the
Scheme, which we now summarised as follows:
Page 14
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank - comprising 23,160,388,968 ordinary shares of 50
Kobo each - be cancelled;
Diamond Bank be dissolved without being wound up;
In consideration for the transfer of all assets, liabilities and undertakings, including real property
and intellectual property rights of Diamond Bank to Access Bank, all shareholders of Diamond
Bank – as at the Effective Date - shall:
RECEIVE: 2 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in Access Bank credited as fully paid
IN EXCHANGE FOR: Every 7 Diamond Bank ordinary shares of 50 kobo each held on the
Effective Date
and
N1.00 per share for every Diamond Bank share held on the Effective Date
The share exchange ratio has been established on a basis which we consider to be fair and reasonable. The
basis of valuation, including a description of the valuation methodology is contained on pages 24 to 25 of
this document.
Allotment of Scheme Shares: Shares shall not be issued/allotted in fractions to Diamond Bank
Shareholders where the exchange ratio results in a fraction of a share, such fraction shall be rounded
up and credited to the relevant shareholder as 1 Scheme Share. Shareholders will receive the Scheme
Shares by way of e-allotment to their respective Central Securities Clearing System (‘’CSCS’’) accounts
within ten (10) business days of the Effective Date. A Registrar Identification Number will be allocated
by the Registrar to shareholders who do not have CSCS accounts, to facilitate the warehouse of their
shares under the Registrars custody at the CSCS.
Settlement of Cash Consideration: Payment of the Cash Consideration due in respect of the Scheme
Shares shall be settled in Nigerian Naira and remitted through e-payments made to the Diamond Bank
Shareholders. Access Bank will ensure that the Cash Consideration is credited within ten (10) Business
Days of the Effective Date, in accordance with the wire transfer payment process in Nigeria, to the
respective accounts mandated by the Diamond Bank Shareholders.
Allotment of Scheme Shares: Shareholders will receive the Scheme Shares by way of e-allotment to
their respective CSCS accounts. A Registrar Identification Number will be allocated by United
Securities Limited to shareholders who do not have CSCS accounts, to facilitate the warehouse of their
shares under the Registrars custody at the CSCS.
Page 15
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
Settlement of Cash Consideration: The Cash Consideration will be remitted through e-payments to
the respective accounts mandated by the Diamond Bank Shareholders. Where there is no record of a
mandated account, the Cash Consideration shall be warehoused by United Securities Limited - in a
Scheme Consideration account created for that specific purposes – for the untraceable shareholder.
The Scheme Shares to be issued to the Diamond Bank Shareholders shall, upon the Scheme becoming
effective, rank Pari Passu in all respects and form a single class of shares with the existing issued
ordinary shares of Access Bank. Any dividend, bonus issue or other distributions made by the
Enlarged Access Bank after the Effective Date shall be applied to (and paid on) the Scheme Shares.
f) Conditions Precedent
The Scheme will become effective and binding on the shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank
if:
The Scheme shall become effective and binding on all shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank
once sanctioned by the Court; irrespective of whether or not they attended or voted at the respective
Court-Ordered Meetings.
Page 16
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
Access Bank has recognized the significant growth opportunity in retail banking and this transaction
presents a unique opportunity to accelerate Access Bank’s retail franchise. A merger with Diamond
Bank enables Access Bank to acquire a bank with 17 million retail customers and the most visible
mobile payment platform. The expected revenue and cost synergies are material with significant long
term value. The merger will allow Access Bank to accelerate its prospects of becoming the leading
retail bank in Nigeria and Africa.
Through the merger with Diamond Bank, Access Bank will achieve the exponential expansion of the
Bank’s retail banking franchise. Access Bank will benefit from Diamond Bank’s unparalleled retail
banking expertise and strong digital offering. Together, the two banks would create one of Nigeria’s
leading banks, with 27 million customers, 3,100 ATMs and over 33,000 POS, as well as more than 10
million mobile customers. Access Bank and Diamond Bank share many of the same areas of focus,
including women, youth, the financially excluded, and entrepreneurs and will be able to further
develop their positioning and market leadership in these growth sectors.
The combined operation will have robust mobile banking relationships, ensuring that customers of
the Enlarged Access Bank will continue to access a strong mobile banking proposition. Access Bank
and Diamond Bank also operate from the same technology platform, which the Boards believe will
enable them to complete the integration with minimal disruption or impact on customers, in addition
to generating significant synergies.
The Boards of Access Bank and Diamond Bank are strongly of the view that merging the two banks
will provide significant opportunities and benefits to customers, staff, shareholders, regulators and
other stakeholders, as summarised below:
i) The Enlarged Access Bank will establish the largest retail bank in Africa by number of customers;
ii) The Enlarged Access Bank’s breadth, scale and product range will further accelerate the financial
inclusion agenda both banks have pursued separately;
iii) The Enlarged Access Bank’s will increase its market reach and customer convenience through
an expanded branch network of over 600 branches, complemented by strengthened distribution
channels;
iv) The Enlarged Access Bank will have a strengthened commercial banking business, through the
combination of the customers and by leveraging combined product offerings and marketing
capabilities;
v) The combination of Diamond Bank’s strong retail customer franchise and Access Bank’s proven
risk management and capital management expertise will create a new Nigerian financial
institution with strong value creation;
vi) The Enlarged Access Bank’s balance sheet size will be equipped with the capacity to provide
credit lines to a more diversified client base; and
Page 17
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
vii) The Enlarged Access Bank will be a stronger, safer institution with an enlarged balance sheet,
enhanced liquidity profile and capital base.
c) Expected Synergies
i) Revenue synergies
― Enhanced product offerings and cross-selling
― Improved sales by combining good practices
― Yield and price improvement driven by market share
― Reduced cost of funds driven by market share
ii) Balance sheet synergies
― Alignment towards lower deposit pricing
― Shift to improved deposits mix and current account deposits
― Improved access to capital markets from scale and credit rating
― Efficiency in treasury management
iii) Cost synergies
― Branch optimisation
― Head office centralisation
― IT integration and consolidation
― Integration of support functions
― Closing productivity gap through larger scale
― Consolidated procurement and facility management
d) Creditors
Under the terms of the proposed merger, Access Bank will be acquiring all the assets, liabilities and
undertakings of Diamond Bank which will include any outstanding creditor liabilities. As far as
Access Bank is aware, Diamond Bank presently has no outstanding senior debt other than in the
ordinary course of business.
In order to preserve and maximise value for the Enlarged Access Bank post-merger, Access Bank will
ensure that all employees of the two institutions are treated fairly and their continuing employment
with the Enlarged Access Bank shall be based on merit. From the Effective Date, the contracts of
employment of all employees who are in the employment of Diamond Bank shall be transferred to
the Enlarged Access Bank and such employees shall become employees of the Enlarged Access Bank
on terms and conditions applicable to the respective grades of the employees in the Enlarged Bank.
Where any employee of Diamond Bank does not wish that his/her employment be transferred to the
Enlarged Access Bank after the Merger, such employee will be entitled to obtain his/her terminal
benefits based on his/her existing contract of service.
Page 18
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
f) Taxation
Under the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the
implementation of the Scheme of Merger as proposed will not give rise to any taxation disadvantage
to the Shareholders, with respect to capital gains tax or stamp duty. The provisions of the Capital
Gains Tax Act Cap C1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 exempt any gains accruing to a person
from a disposal of shares from being charged with capital gains tax. Furthermore, the Stamp Duties
Act Cap S8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 exempts instruments for the transfer of shares
from the payment of stamp duty. However, this statement is not intended to be, and should not be
construed to be, legal or tax advice.
Shareholders who are in any doubt about their taxation position, or who are subject to taxation in a
jurisdiction outside Nigeria, are strongly advised to consult their professional advisers without delay
as to the consequences of the Scheme in view of their circumstances.
The Financial Advisers confirm that the position on taxation, as indicated in this Scheme Document,
is true and not misleading specifically as it relates to capital gains.
Separate Court-Ordered Meetings will be convened by order of the Court for considering and, if
thought fit, approving the Scheme by the shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank. At the
Court-Ordered Meetings, voting will be by poll. Each shareholder present in person or by proxy will
be entitled to one vote for every share held. The statutory majority required to pass the resolutions
proposed at the Court-Ordered Meetings is a majority representing not less than three fourths (3/4)
in value of the shares of members present and voting either in person or by proxy.
Notices of the Court-Ordered Meetings are set out on pages 97 to 100 of this Scheme Document.
h) Actions to be Taken
The appropriate proxy form for the Court-Ordered Meetings scheduled to be held by each bank is
enclosed. If you are unable to attend the respective meeting in person, you are requested to complete
the proxy form in accordance with the instructions thereon and return it as soon as possible to the
relevant company secretary, to arrive no later than twenty-four (24) hours before the time appointed
for the meeting. The lodging of a proxy form, which to be valid, must be appropriately stamped, does
not prevent you from attending the relevant meeting and voting in person should you so wish.
However, in such instance, your proxy will not be entitled to attend or vote.
Capital Value
Upon the Scheme coming into effect, each Diamond Bank Shareholder will receive a combination of a Cash
Consideration of N1.00 per share and 2 Access Bank shares of 50k each for every 7 Diamond Bank shares
of 50k each. The Cash Consideration and share exchange ratio were determined on the basis of the values
of Access Bank and Diamond Bank shares of N7.45 per share and N3.13 per share respectively, as advised
by the Financial Advisers and approved by the Boards.
Access Bank and Diamond Bank shareholders will own 81.38% and 18.62% of the Enlarged Access Bank’s
issued share capital respectively upon implementation of the merger.
Page 19
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
As at September 30, 2018, the Access Bank had over 800,000 shareholders, comprising institutional
and individual investors, both domestic and international, and more than 4,400 professional staff.
Access Bank is publicly listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Bank's debt instruments are
listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Irish Stock Exchange. As at September 30, 2018, Access
Bank has a credit rating of A from S&P, A+ from Fitch and Aa3 from Moody's.
Over the next five years, Access Bank seeks to become Africa’s Gateway to the world. It aims to be
the no. 1 bank in Nigeria by rapidly growing its retail customer base, SME client base, and by
dominating the top 100 Nigerian corporates. Internationally, it will develop an integrated global
franchise by growing its presence in key African markets, global financial gateways including London
and New York, and trade hubs such as Dubai and China.
b) Business Operations
Access Bank’s operations are structured across the following Strategic Business Units (“SBU”):
Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) is one of the largest support bases for institutional clients,
largely driven by the economic drive for infrastructure development projects, construction of
improved transportation links and other commercial and real estate developments across Nigeria.
CIB primarily serves multinational, large local and foreign-owned companies with minimum annual
turnover of ₦10 billion and continues to seek long-term partnerships with such clients across key
growth sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly oil & gas, telecommunications, power and
infrastructure and food and beverages, as well as transport and household utilities.
In addition, the CIB’s treasury team provides solutions to address corporate client needs across
funding, foreign exchange, liquidity, investment, hedging and other risks.
Page 20
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
CIB provides customised financial solutions to complex funding challenges of large corporate clients
in key sectors of the Nigerian economy and is responsible for the Bank's relationships with domestic
and international financial institutions (including development finance institutions).
The Commercial Banking is the largest market facing business that operates within Access Bank.
Commercial Banking offers specialised business solutions and bespoke financial services to support
the needs of its target markets, namely general commerce/trading, manufacturing, construction,
hospitality and lifestyle (such as hotels and restaurants), the public sector and the Asian market. The
Commercial Banking SBU primarily serves private sector businesses, consisting of local and foreign-
owned institutions operating within Access Bank's identified market segments with a minimum
annual business turnover of ₦1billion (excluding companies that meet the Corporate and Investment
Banking SBU customer criteria); and public sector, federal, state and local government (including
ministries, departments and agencies) and government-affiliated businesses.
Commercial Banking also provides international money transfer services through Access Bank's
franchise business primarily for remittance services, utilities and government revenue collection, as
well as development banking, with emphasis on non-governmental organisations.
Business Banking primarily serves companies and small and medium enterprises ("SMEs") that are
seeking to grow their business with annual turnover of not more than ₦1 billion. Business Banking
has recorded considerable growth in its customer base, with over 400,000 customers spread across
key market segments, including imports and exports, commerce/distributive trade, educational
institutions, contractors and healthcare providers as at September 30, 2018.
With a retail banking focus, the Personal Banking SBU offers integrated products and services to ultra-
high and high net worth individuals, affluent professionals, employees in the value chain of Access
Bank's corporate clients, as well as students, pensioners and informal traders.
v) Digital Banking
The Digital Banking SBU provides solutions to enable consumers to make purchases and payments
conveniently and allow businesses to sell and accept payment in their preferred manner while seeking
to connect businesses and their customers in a way that adds value to both parties. Through the digital
banking solutions, Access Bank seeks to provide its customers with the ability to access these payment
services across various devices or channels in an effort to enable Access Bank to deliver a seamless
customer experience.
a) Activities
Diamond Bank was incorporated in March 15, 1991 and currently operates as a full service commercial
bank licensed to operate in Nigeria. Diamond Bank already informed the NSE that it has secured CBN
approval of its transformation to national banking. Diamond Bank currently has one operating
subsidiary, a wholly owned subsidiary, Diamond Pension Fund Custodian and Diamond Finance BV
Page 21
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
– a special purpose vehicle incorporated in 2014 to provide subordinated foreign currency loan to
Diamond Bank.
Diamond Bank is in the process of divesting its investment in Diamond Bank UK and the investments
has been classified as assets held for sale. Diamond Bank is considered one of the systemically
important banks in Nigeria by the Central Bank of Nigeria, with customer deposits of c. ₦1.1 trillion
as of September 2018.
b) Business Operations
Diamond Bank’s operations are structured across the following Strategic Business Units:
i) Retail Banking;
ii) Corporate Banking; and
iii) Personal Banking
i) Retail Banking
Retail Banking target customers are individuals, professional firms and associations, schools,
religious organisations and small businesses. Diamond Bank’s responsibilities include the design and
management of very strong electronic services delivery channels and consumer banking
products/services.
The focus is on the provision of superior range of value-adding financial products and services that
promote the achievement of a strong leadership position in consumer banking and the provision of
electronic banking services.
Page 22
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FROM THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS
Appendix III: Proforma Statements of the Enlarged Access Bank on pages 88 to 91.
Appendix V: Notice of Court-Ordered Meeting for Access Bank Plc on pages 97 to 98.
Appendix VI: Notice of Court-Ordered Meeting for Diamond Bank Plc on pages 99 to 100.
5.8. RECOMMENDATION
The respective Boards of Access Bank and Diamond Bank together with their Financial Advisers, having
considered the terms and conditions of the Scheme of Merger as well as the benefits thereof, recommend
that you vote in favour of the resolutions which will be proposed at the respective Court-Ordered
Meetings.
Yours faithfully,
Page 23
5. BASIS AND VALUATION
6.1. BACKGROUND
Access Bank and Diamond Bank are public limited liability companies, quoted on the NSE. Though Access
Bank is significantly larger than Diamond Bank in terms of assets and shareholders’ funds, both banks have
complementary competencies and the proposed merger is expected to deliver significant cost and revenue
synergies. It is anticipated that the synergies would lead to improved returns to shareholders and other
stakeholders.
Pursuant to the Scheme, the assets, liabilities and undertakings of Diamond Bank will be transferred to
Access Bank in consideration, for which new Access Bank shares will be issued to the shareholders of
Diamond Bank. Access Bank shall be the surviving entity, with Diamond Bank being dissolved without
being wound-up.
1. The valuation date was December 14, 2018 based on the reference share prices of Access Bank and
Diamond Bank respectively as listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange;
2. The historical financials covering FY2013, FY2014, FY2015, FY2016 and FY2017 and unaudited financial
statements of Access Bank and Diamond Bank for the period ended September 30, 2018 respectively;
3. The issued share capital of Access Bank is N14,463,985,816.50 made up of 28,927,971,631 shares at 50 kobo
each and Access Bank had shareholders’ funds of N472,683,141,000 as at September 30, 2018; and
4. The issued share capital of Diamond Bank is N11,580,194,484 made up of 23,160,388,968 shares at 50 kobo
each and Diamond Bank has shareholders’ funds of N221,609,520,000 as at September 30, 2018.
Methodologies Considered
The Financial Advisers employed the use of the following valuation methods as a basis for determining the
value of the Scheme:
The Net Assets Valuation is based on Access Bank and Diamond Bank’s net assets as at September 30, 2018
and an expected significant impairment on Diamond Bank’s loan book following IFRS 9 implementation.
The Financial Advisers also analysed the historical prices that existed between Access Bank and Diamond
Bank. The results of the analysis are set forth in the following table:
Page 24
APPENDIX I - BASIS AND VALUATION
This approach values a company based on multiples at which comparable companies’ trade on the Nigerian
Stock Exchange. Given that this approach is being used for a financial services company, the Financial
Advisers considered the Price-to-Book and Price to Earnings multiples only.
Price to Earnings
The quoted sector average 2018E P/E for Tier 1 and Tier 2 Banks as at December 14, 2018 were 4.1 and 10.5
respectively.
This approach values a company based on its sustainable returns, growth, and cost of equity. Growth and
cost of equity estimates were observed from broker coverage of listed Nigerian banking peers. The Financial
Advisers then considered a sustainable Return on Average Equity on Access Bank and Diamond Bank in
determining valuation.
This approach is a valuation method in which the price paid for similar companies in the past is considered
an indicator of a company’s value. In determining the valuation, several multiples from recently concluded
deals in emerging markets were considered. The Cash Consideration and share exchange ratio were
determined on the basis of the values of Access Bank and Diamond Bank shares of N7.45 per share and
N3.13 per share respectively, as advised by the Financial Advisers and approved by the Boards of both
banks. The N3.13 value per share represents a premium of 229% to the closing price of Diamond Bank’s
ordinary shares on December 14, 2018 and a premium of 55% to the 90-Day Volume Weighted Average
Price (“VWAP”) on December 14, 2018. The Financial Advisers also calculated that implied market value
represented 0.33 times Diamond Bank’s book value for the period ended September 30, 2018.
Based on the foregoing, the Financial Advisers have recommended upon the Scheme coming into effect, an
exchange ratio such that a holder of 7 ordinary shares of Diamond Bank will be entitled to 2 ordinary shares
of the Enlarged Access Bank, in addition to a cash consideration of N1.00 for every ordinary share of
Diamond Bank held.
Page 25
6. SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK PLC AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
BETWEEN
AND
Preliminary
A. In this Scheme, as hereinafter defined, the following expressions have the following meanings where the
context so admits:
Access Bank means Access Bank Plc;
Access Bank Scheme Shares means 6,617,253,991 new ordinary shares of Access Bank, representing the 2
Enlarged Access Bank ordinary shares that are to be allotted for every 7 Diamond Bank shares;
Access Bank Shareholders means the shareholders of Access Bank whose names appear on the Register of
Members of Access Bank on the Qualification Date;
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday on which banks in Nigeria are
open for business;
CAC means the Corporate Affairs Commission;
CAMA means the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004;
Cash Consideration means N1.00 for every Diamond Bank share, being the sum payable by Access Bank Plc
to the Diamond Bank Shareholders under the Scheme;
CBN means Central Bank of Nigeria;
Court means the Federal High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
Court-Ordered Meeting means the respective meetings of the shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond
Bank convened by the Order of the Court pursuant to Sections 121 (4), and 126, of the ISA set out on pages 97
to 100 of the Scheme Document, or any reconvened meeting following an adjournment thereof;
Court Sanction means an order made by the Court pursuant to Section 126 of ISA, sanctioning the Scheme;
CSCS means Central Securities Clearing System;
Diamond Bank means Diamond Bank Plc;
Diamond Bank Shareholders means the shareholders of Diamond Bank whose names appear on the Register
of Members of Diamond Bank on the Qualification Date;
Effective Date means the date on which the Court Sanctions the Scheme;
Enlarged Access Bank means the post-merger institution which is formed from the merger of Access Bank
and Diamond Bank;
Page 26
SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
Explanatory Statement means the Statement dated January 24, 2019 issued by the Financial Advisers to the
shareholders of Access Bank and Diamond Bank for the purpose of explaining the terms, conditions and
effects of the Scheme and set out on pages 26 to 30 of this Scheme Document;
ISA means the Investments and Securities Act (No 29 of 2007);
Qualification Date means the date agreed by the Parties, on which the register of members of the Parties shall
be closed for the purpose of determining the Shareholders who will be eligible to attend and vote at the Court-
Ordered Meetings;
Scheme means the proposed scheme of merger between Access Bank and Diamond Bank pursuant to Part
XII of the ISA;
Scheme Document means the bound document containing the separate letters from the chairmen of the
boards of Access Bank and Diamond Bank addressed to their respective shareholders, the Explanatory
Statement, the Scheme, the notices of the Court-Ordered Meetings and the various appendices thereto;
Scheme Shares means the 6,617,253,991 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the share capital of the Enlarged
Access Bank which shall be issued, allotted and credited as fully paid to the Diamond Bank Shareholders
pursuant to the Scheme in accordance with sub-clause 6 of this Scheme;
SEC means the Securities & Exchange Commission;
Terminal Date means the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date;
Union Capital means Union Capital Markets Limited; and
Untraceable Shareholders means holders whose whereabouts cannot be ascertained after reasonable efforts
have been made to find them including by contacting their last known and/or registered addresses and by
publication in national daily newspapers.
B. The authorized share capital of Access Bank is 2,000,000,000 preference shares of 50K each and 38,000,000,000
ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each with a value of N20,000,000,000 comprising N1,000,000,000 worth of
preference shares and N19,000,000,000 worth of ordinary shares, out of which 28,927,971,631 ordinary shares
of 50 Kobo each have been issued and fully paid up, representing an issued share capital of
N14,463,985,815.50.
C. The authorized share capital of Diamond Bank is ₦15,000,000,000 comprising 30,000,000,000 ordinary shares
of 50 Kobo each out of which 23,160,388,968 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each have been issued and fully paid
up, representing an issued share capital of ₦11,580,194,484.
D. By a Board Resolution dated December 12, 2018, the Board of Access Bank resolved to propose to Access Bank
Shareholders: (i) that Access Bank be merged with Diamond Bank by way of a Scheme of Merger; and (ii) that
all necessary resolutions required by law to carry the Scheme into effect be passed by the Access Bank
Shareholders at a Court-Ordered Meeting.
E. By a Board Resolution dated December 16, 2018, the Board of Diamond Bank resolved to propose to the
Diamond Bank Shareholders that: (i) Diamond Bank be merged with Access Bank by way of a scheme of
merger; (ii) Diamond Bank be dissolved without being wound up, on the terms and conditions set forth in
this Scheme; and (iii) all necessary resolutions required by law to carry the Scheme into effect be passed by
the Diamond Bank Shareholders at a Court-Ordered Meeting.
Page 27
SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
The Scheme
Subject to the Court Sanction and the Scheme being approved by SEC and CBN, Diamond Bank shall transfer
all its assets (including but not limited to real properties, intellectual property rights and licenses), liabilities
and undertakings to Access Bank, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Scheme.
Further to the transfer of the assets, liabilities and undertakings of Diamond Bank to Access Bank, the entire
issued share capital of Diamond Bank shall be cancelled and Diamond Bank shall be dissolved without being
wound up.
3.1 In consideration of the transfers stated in paragrapgh 2 above and the cancellation of the entire issued
share capital of Diamond Bank, Access Bank shall issue, allot and credit to the Diamond Bank
Shareholders - as fully paid - 2 ordinary shares each in Access Bank for every 7 Diamond Bank shares held
as at the close of business on the Effective Date.
3.2 Shareholders will receive the Scheme Shares by way of e-allotment to their respective Central Securities
Clearing System (‘’CSCS’’) accounts. A Registrar Identification Number will be allocated by the Registrar
to shareholders who do not have CSCS accounts, to facilitate the warehouse of their shares under the
Registrars custody at the CSCS.
3.3 The Scheme Shares allotted pursuant to the foregoing sub-paragrapgh 3.1 shall - for the purpose of any
dividends, bonus issues and other distributions declared after the Effective Date, and in all other respects
- rank pari passu and form a single class with the ordinary shares in the present issued share capital of
Access Bank.
3.4 Access Bank currently has sufficient shares (adequate headroom) to accommodate the additional Scheme
Shares and Access Bank is not required to increase its authorized share capital for the purpose of effecting
this Scheme.
Payment of the Cash Consideration due in respect of the Scheme Shares shall be settled in Nigerian Naira and
remitted through e-payments made to the Diamond Bank Shareholders. Access Bank will ensure that the Cash
Consideration is credited within ten (10) Business Days of the Effective Date, in accordance with the wire
transfer payment process in Nigeria, to the respective accounts mandated by the Diamond Bank Shareholders.
Furthermore, the shareholders of Diamond Bank will be requested when the notices of the Court-ordered
meetings are published to update their contact details, which will include providing e-payment mandates.
Page 28
SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
5.1 The entire assets, liabilities and undertakings of Diamond Bank shall be merged with Access Bank to form
the assets, liabilities and undertakings of the Enlarged Access Bank which shall carry on the business of
Diamond Bank.
6. Employees
In order to preserve and maximise value for the Enlarged Access Bank post-merger, Access Bank will ensure
that all employees of the two institutions would be treated fairly and their continuing employment with the
Enlarged Access Bank shall be based on merit. From the Effective Date, the contracts of employment of all
employees who are in the employment of Diamond Bank shall be transferred to the Enlarged Access Bank
and such employees shall become employees of the Enlarged Access Bank on terms and conditions applicable
to the respective grades of the employees in the Enlarged Bank. Where any employee of Diamond Bank does
not wish that his/her employment be transferred to the Enlarged Access Bank after the Merger, such
employee will be entitled to obtain his/her terminal benefits based on his/her existing contract of service.
7. Directors
The Directors of Diamond Bank will cease to hold office upon completion of the Scheme and it is anticipated
that those of them who may subsequently be elected as directors will hold seats on the board of the Enlarged
Access Bank.
8. Conditions Precedent
8.1 its ratification by a majority representing not less than three-fourths in value of the Access Bank and
Diamond Bank Shareholders, present and voting either in person or by proxy at the separate Court-
Ordered Meetings of Access Bank and Diamond Bank;
8.2 SEC and CBN approving the terms and conditions of the Scheme, as approved at the respective Court-
Ordered Meetings of Access Bank and Diamond Bank;
8.3.1 all the assets (including real properties and intellectual property rights), liabilities and
undertakings of Diamond Bank be transferred to Access Bank as provided in the Scheme;
8.3.2 Scheme Shares be issued and allotted and credited as fully paid to the Diamond Bank
Shareholders on the basis of 2 Scheme Shares for every 7 Diamond Bank shares held by
Diamond Bank Shareholders;
8.3.3 Cash Consideration of N1.00 for every Diamond Bank Share be paid by Access Bank to
Diamond Bank Shareholders;
8.3.4 the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank be cancelled;
8.3.5 all legal proceedings, claims and litigation, pending by or against Diamond Bank be
continued by or against the Enlarged Access Bank after the Scheme; and
8.3.6 Diamond Bank be dissolved without being wound up.
Page 29
SCHEME OF MERGER BETWEEN ACCESS BANK AND DIAMOND BANK PLC
9. Effectiveness
9.1 Without prejudice to the generality of paragrapgh 9 above, the Scheme shall become effective on the
day that the Court Sanction is obtained.
9.2 A certified true copy of the Court Sanction shall for all legal purposes be deemed to be the contract
conferring title on Access Bank in respect of the assets of Diamond Bank transferred to it in accordance
with the Scheme without any further act or deed.
Within 7 Business Days of the Court’s Sanction, a certified true copy of the Court Sanction shall be filed at the
CAC, the SEC and the CBN.
11. Modification
The Board of Directors of Access Bank and Diamond Bank are authorized to consent, on behalf of all parties
concerned, to any modification of or addition to the Scheme which the CBN, the SEC and/or the Court may
deem fit to approve or to any condition which the Court may impose.
12. Costs
Access Bank and Diamond Bank shall bear the costs and expenses relating to the negotiation, preparation,
sanctioning and implementation of the Scheme.
The Scheme shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
Page 30
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
A. Background Information
The Bank’s initial authorised share capital at incorporation was N20,000,000 divided into 20,000,000 ordinary
shares of N1.00 each. At present, the authorised share capital is N20,000,000,000 comprising 38,000,000,000
ordinary shares of 50 kobo each and 2,000,000,000 Preference Shares of 50K each.
The changes in the share capital of the Bank since inception are summarised below:
As at December 24, 2018, the 28,927,971,631 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the issued share capital of
Access Bank were beneficially held as follows:
NAME HOLDING %
Stanbic IBTC Nominees Limited1 4,907,328,003 16.96
Trust and Capital Limited 1,405,113,958 4.86
AGL Africa, Ex-SA Equity (USD) Fund-Trad 1,293,174,908 4.47
Futureview Holdings Ltd 1,180,833,188 4.08
Others 20,141,521,574 69.63
Total 28,927,971,631 100.00
As at October 30, 2018 the interests of Directors in Access Bank were as follows:
1 Stanbic Nominees holds the shares in custody, on behalf of various investors and does not exercise any right over the underlying shares. All
the rights reside with the various investors on whose behalf Stanbic Nominees provides the custodial services.
Page 31
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
iv) Indebtedness
As of September 30, 2018, Access Bank had an indebtedness of N822,807,164,000, which constitutes loan
capital, debentures, mortgages, overdrafts, short term loans, charges or similar indebtedness or material
contingent liabilities, other than those arising in the ordinary course of business.
vi) Premises
Headquarters
Plot 999c, Danmole Street
off Adeola Odeku/Idejo Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Nigeria
Page 32
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
vii) Branches
Page 33
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 34
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 35
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 36
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 37
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 38
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 39
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 40
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 41
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Page 42
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Below are relevant extracts from the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association:
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
To form or assist in forming any company for the purpose of carrying on any business which the Bank is
authorised to carry on, or any other business which may seem conducive to any of the interests of the Bank,
or to enquire by purchase or otherwise the business of any such company, and to hold shares, stock,
debentures, debenture stocks or any interest in any such company and to dispose of such shares, stock,
debentures, debenture stocks or any interest, and to make or carry out arrangement for giving the Bank the
entire or partial management or benefit of the business of any such company and to guarantee dividends and
interests on shares, stock debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds or securities of any such company.
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
21. Subject to such of the restrictions of these Articles as may be applicable, any member may transfer any or all
of his shares by instrument in writing, in the usual or common form or any other form which the Directors
may approve, signed by or on behalf of the transferor and transferee, provided however that the transferor
shall be deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in the register of
members in respect thereof.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
22. In case of the death of a member, the survivor or survivors where the deceased was a joint holder, and the
legal personal representatives of the deceased where he was a sole holder, shall be the only persons recognised
by the Bank as having any title to his shares; but nothing herein contained shall release the estate of a deceased
Page 43
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
holder (whether sole or joint) from any liability in respect of any shares which had been solely or jointly held
by him.
23. A person becoming entitled to a share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member may be upon
such evidence being produced as may from time to time be required by the Directors, and subject as
hereinafter provided elect either to be registered himself as holder of shares or to have some person nominated
by him registered as the holder thereof.
24. If the person so becoming entitled elects to be registered himself he shall give to the Bank notice in writing
signed by him stating that he so elects. If he elects to have another person registered, he shall testify his election
by executing to that person a transfer of the shares. All the limitations, restrictions and provisions of these
Articles relating to the right to transfer and the registration of transfers of shares shall be applicable to any
such notice or transfer as aforesaid as if the death or bankruptcy of the member had not occurred and the
notice or transfer were a transfer signed by that member.
25. A person becoming entitled to a share by reason of the death or bankruptcy of the holder shall be entitled to,
and may give a discharge for, any dividends and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were
the registered holder of the share, except that he shall not before being registered as a member in respect of
the share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to meetings of
the Bank.
26. The Bank may by Ordinary Resolution convert any paid up shares into stock, and reconvert any stock into
paid up shares of any denomination.
27. The holders of stock may transfer the same or any part thereof, in the same manner, and subject to the same
regulations, as and, subject to which stock, if existing as shares, might have been transferred, or as near there
to as circumstances admit.
28. Stock may only be transferred in minimum units, or multiples of minimum units, of such amount as the
Directors shall from time to time determine, but so that the amount of a minimum unit shall not exceed the
nominal amount of the individual shares from which the stock arose.
29. (1) The holders of stock shall according to the amount of stock held by them, have the same rights, privileges
and advantages as regards participation in profits, voting at meetings of the Bank and other matters as if they
held the shares from which the stock arose, but so that none of such privileges or advantages (except amount
of stock as would not if existing in shares, have conferred such privileges or advantages.
(2) No such conversion shall affect or prejudice any preference or other special privileges attached to the shares
so converted.
30. Unless otherwise expressly provided, such of these Articles as are applicable to paid up shares shall apply to
stock, and the words "shares" and "shareholder” therein shall include "stock" and "stockholder”.
ALTERATION OF CAPITAL
31. The Bank may from time to time by Ordinary Resolution increase the share capital by sum, to be divided into
shares of such amount as the resolution shall prescribe.
Page 44
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
32. Unless otherwise determined by the Bank by Ordinary Resolution, any shares for the time being unissued shall
be at the disposal of the Directors who may offer, allot or otherwise dispose of such shares on such terms as
they think most beneficial to the Bank.
33. Except so far as otherwise provided by or pursuant to these Articles or by the conditions of issue any new share
capital shall be considered as part of, and shall be subject to the same provisions with reference to payment of
calls lien, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise, as the original share capital.
Subject to these Articles the resolution by which any shares are sub-divided may determine that as
between the holders of the shares resulting from such sub-division one or more of such shares may be
given any preference or advantage over any other such shares;
c) Cancel any shares which, at the date of passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be
taken by any person. and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the shares so
cancelled.
(2) The Bank may by Special Resolution reduce its share capital (including the Capital Redemption Reserve Fund,
if any, or any Share Premium Account) in any manner authorized by law but within and subject to any incident
authorised or consent required by law.
GENERAL MEETINGS
35. A General Meeting to be known as the Annual General Meeting shall be held once in every calendar year at
such time (not being more than fifteen months after the holding of the last preceding Annual General Meeting)
and place as may be determined by the Directors.
36. All General Meetings other than Annual General Meetings shall be called Extra-Ordinary General Meetings.
37. The Directors may whenever they think fit, convene an Extra-ordinary General Meeting, and Extraordinary
General Meetings shall be convened on such requisition, or, in default, may be convened by such
requisitionists, as provided by Section 215 of the Act.
If at any time there are not within Nigeria sufficient Directors capable of acting to quorum at a meeting of
Directors, any Director within Nigeria or any two Members may convene an Extra-ordinary General Meeting
in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which meetings may be convened by the Directors.
38. The time and place of any meeting shall be determined by the conveners of the meeting.
39. (1) An Annual General Meeting and an Extra-ordinary General Meeting shall be called by twenty-one days
notice in writing at the least. Provided that a meeting shall, notwithstanding that it is called by shorter notice
than that specified in this Article, be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed:
(a) In the case of a meeting called as the Annual General Meeting, by all the members entitled to attend and
vote thereat, and
Page 45
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
(b) In the case of any other meeting, by the majority in number of the members having a right to attend and
vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than 95 percent in nominal value of the shares
giving that right.
(2) The notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for
which it is given, it shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and, in case of special business,
the general nature of that business.
40. (1) The notice convening an Annual General Meeting shall specify the meeting as such.
(2) The notice convening a Meeting to consider a Special Resolution shall specify the intention to propose the
resolution as a Special Resolution
41. (1) Notice of every General Meeting shall be given in any manner authorised by these Articles to:
(b) Every Person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves by reason of his being a legal
representative, receiver or a trustee in bankruptcy of a member;
42. (a) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, no general meeting of the Bank, shall be held unless notice of
such a meeting has been sent to each member at his registered address and twenty-one days has elapsed from
the date such a notice was sent.
(b) For the purpose of these Articles, the registered address of a member shall be his address as registered in
the Bank's register of members kept in accordance with the law.
(c) The accidental omission to give notice of meeting to or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by any person
entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at the meeting.
NOTICE OF RESOLUTIONS
43. (1) The Directors shall circulate to all the members entitled to receive notice of meetings notice of any
resolution which may be properly moved and is intended to be moved at the meeting, or any statement of not
more than one thousand words with respect to the matter referred to in the proposed resolution or the business
to be dealt with at the meeting.
(2) The resolution or statement shall be signed by members holding not less than one-tenth of the paid up
capital of the Bank and shall be deposited at the registered office of the Bank not less than forty-two days
before the meeting, provided that if a meeting is called for forty-two days or less after the resolution or
statement has been deposited, the resolution or statement shall be deemed to have been properly deposited
for the purposes thereof.
Page 46
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
44. All business shall be deemed special that is transacted at an Extraordinary General Meeting and also all that
is transacted at an Annual General Meeting, with the exception of declaring a dividend, the consideration of
the accounts, balance sheets, and the reports of the Directors and Auditors, the appointment of Auditors, the
fixing of, or the determination of the manner of the fixing of, the remuneration of the Auditors, the voting of
additional remuneration to the Directors, and the election of Directors in the place of those retiring and the
appointment of the members of the Audit Committee which shall be ordinary business.
45. (1) No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time
when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, 3 members of the Bank personally
present shall be a quorum for the choice of a Chairman, the declaration of a dividend and the adjournment of
the meeting. For all other purpose the quorum shall be members personally present not being less than five,
and holding or representing by proxy not less than one-tenth of the issued capital of the Bank.
(2) If within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting if
convened upon the requisition of members, shall be dissolved and in any other case it shall stand adjourned
to the same day in the next week, at the same time and place, or to such other day and at such other time and
place as the Chairman of the meeting may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present
within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting, the members present shall be a quorum.
46. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman at every General Meeting of the Bank and
if he shall not be present within thirty minutes after the time appointed for the holding of the meeting or is
unwilling or unable to act, the Vice-Chairman, if then present and willing to act, shall preside and in default
the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be Chairman of the Meeting. If at any meeting no
Director is willing to act as Chairman, or if no Director is present within thirty minutes after the time appointed
for holding the meeting the members present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman of the meeting.
47. The Chairman of the meeting may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall
if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business
shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which
the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned
meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give
any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting.
48. At any General Meeting a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of hands, unless
before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands a poll is demanded by the Chairman of the
meeting or by at least three members entitled to vote at the meeting or by one or more members entitled to
vote at such meeting present in person or by proxy holding shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid
up equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the issued shares.
49. If a poll be demanded in the manner aforesaid, it shall be taken within 14 days thereafter at such time and
place and in such manner as the Chairman shall before the conclusion of the meeting direct, and the result of
the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.
50. No poll shall be demanded on the election of a Chairman of a meeting or on any question of adjournment.
51. The demand for poll shall not prevent the continuance of a meeting for the transaction of any business other
than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
Page 47
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
52. A demand for a poll may be withdrawn, unless a poll be so demanded, a declaration by the Chairman of the
meeting that a resolution has on a show of hands been carried unanimously or by a particular majority, or lost
and an entry to that effect in the book containing the minutes of the proceedings of the bank, shall be
conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of
or against such resolution.
53. If at any General Meeting any votes shall be counted which ought not to have been counted or might have
been rejected, the error shall not vitiate the result of the voting unless it be pointed out at the same meeting,
and not in that case unless it shall, in the opinion the Chairman of the meeting be of sufficient magnitude to
vitiate the result of the voting.
VOTES OF MEMBERS
54. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairman of the meeting at
which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded, shall be entitled to a second or casting
vote.
55. Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any class of shares, on a show of hands every member
present in person or by proxy shall have one vote, and on a poll every member present in person or by proxy
shall have one vote for each share of which he is the holder.
56. If two or more persons are jointly entitled to a share, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote in respect of
such share, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
holders of the share, and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand
in the register of members as the holders of such share.
57. Any company which is a member may, by resolution of its directors, authorise such person as it thinks fit to
act as its representative at any meeting of the Bank, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise
the same powers on behalf of the company which he represents as that company could exercise if it were an
individual Member.
The production at the meeting of a copy of such resolution duly signed by one director of such company and
certified by him as being a true copy of the resolution shall on production at the meeting be accepted by the
Bank as sufficient evidence of the validity of the appointment of the representative of such company.
58. If any Member be a lunatic, idiot, or non-compos mentis, he may vote whether on a show of hands or on a
poll, by his committee, curator bonis, or other legal curator, and such last mentioned persons may give their
votes by proxy on a poll, but no person claiming to vote pursuant to this Article shall do unless such evidence
as the Directors may require of his authority shall have been deposited at the office not less than 48 hours
before the time of holding the meeting at which he wishes to vote.
59. On a poll, votes may be given either personally or by proxy. A proxy need not to be a member.
60. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or a form as near thereto as circumstances
admit.
"I/We
"of
"being a Member/members of ACCESS BANK
PLC
"hereby appoint
"of
Page 48
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
61. The instrument appointing a proxy shall, unless the contrary is stated therein, be valid as well for any
adjournment of the meeting to which it relates, and shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or his
attorney duly authorised in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or in some other
manner approved by the Directors.
63. The instrument appointing a proxy and the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under which it is
signed or a notarially certified copy of that power or authority, shall be deposited at the office or at such other
place as is specified for that purpose in the notice convening the meeting, before or at the time for holding the
meeting or adjourned meeting, at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote or, in the case
of a poll, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for taking the poll, and in default the instrument of
proxy shall not be treated as valid.
64. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to demand or join in demanding a
poll and generally to act at the meeting for the Member giving the proxy.
65. A vote given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be treated as valid notwithstanding
the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the
proxy was executed, provided that no intimation in writing of such death, insanity or revocation as aforesaid
shall have been received by the Bank at the Office before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned
meeting at which the proxy is used.
DIRECTORS
66. Unless and until otherwise determined by the Bank by Ordinary Resolution the Directors of the Bank shall
not be less than three or more than twenty in number.
67. The Directors may from time to time appoint any person to be a Director, either to fill a casual vacancy or by
way of addition to the Board. Any Director so appointed under this Article shall hold office only until the
Annual General Meeting next after his appointment, but shall then be eligible for re-election.
68. The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body; provided always that in case
the number of the Directors shall at any time be reduced in number to less than the minimum number fixed
by these Articles, it shall be lawful for the remaining Directors or Director to act for the purpose of making up
their number to such minimum or calling a General Meeting of the Bank but not for any other purpose.
69. No Director or Alternate Director shall be required to hold any qualification share.
70. The Directors shall be entitled to such remuneration as shall from time to time be determined by the Bank in
General Meeting, and such remuneration (which shall be deemed to accrue from day to day) shall be divided
among them, failing such determination, equally, except that in such event any Director holding office for less
than a year shall only rank in such division in proportion to the period during which he has held office during
such year. The Directors (including Alternate Directors) shall be entitled to be repaid all traveling, hotel and
other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and returning from meetings of the Directors or any
Page 49
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
committee of Directors or General Meetings of the banks or in any other connection with the business of the
Bank.
71. Any Director who at the request of the Directors performs services which in the opinion of the Directors are
outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a Director, may be paid such extra remuneration by way of salary,
commission or otherwise as the Directors may determine.
72. The Directors on behalf of the Bank may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance of retirement to any Director
who has held any other salaried office or place of profit with the Bank or to his widow or dependants and may
make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase of provision of any such gratuity, pension
or allowance.
73. (1) A Director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in any loan or credit facility or any
contract or proposed contract with the Bank shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors
in accordance with provisions of the Banking Act and Section 277 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act
1990.
(2) A Director shall not vote in respect of any contract or any arrangement in which he is interested, and if he
shall do so his vote shall not be counted, nor, save as by these Articles provided, shall be counted in the
quorum present at the meeting, but neither of these prohibitions shall apply to:-
(a) any arrangement for giving any Director any security or indemnity in respect of moneys lent by him to or
obligations under-taken by him for the benefit of the Bank; or
(b) any arrangement for the giving by the Bank of any security to a third party in respect of a debt or obligation
of the Bank for which the Director himself has assumed responsibility in whole or in part under a guarantee
or indemnity or by the deposit of security, or
(c) any contract by a Director to subscribe for or underwrite shares or debentures of the Bank; or
(d) any contract or arrangement with any other Company in which he is interested only as a director, officer,
servant or creditor of that Bank or as holder of any of its shares or other securities; and these prohibitions may
at any time be suspended or relaxed to any extent and either generally or in respect of any particular contract,
arrangement or transactions, by the Bank by Ordinary resolution.
74. A Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Bank (other than the office of Auditors) in
conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms (as to remuneration and otherwise)
as the Directors may determine. No Director or intending Director shall be disqualified by his office from
contracting with the Bank, either with regard to his tenure of any such other office or place of profit, or as
vendor, purchaser or otherwise. No such contract, and no contract or arrangement entered into by or on behalf
of the Bank, in which any Director is in any way interested, shall be liable to be voided, nor shall any Director
so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Bank for any profit realised by any such contract
or arrangement by reason of such Director holding that office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby
established.
75. A Director, notwithstanding his interest, may be counted in the quorum present at any meeting where he or
any other Director is appointed to hold any such office or place of profit under the Bank or whereat the terms
of any such appointment are arranged, and he may vote on any such appointment or arrangement other than
his own appointment or the arrangement of the terms thereof.
76. A Director of the Bank may continue to be or may be or become a Director or other officer of, or otherwise
interested in any company promoted by the Bank or in which the Bank may be interested as shareholder or
Page 50
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
otherwise and no such Director shall be accountable to the Bank for any remuneration or other benefits
received by him as a director or officer of, or from his interest in, such other company unless the Directors
otherwise direct. The Directors may exercise the voting power conferred by the shares in any other company
held or owned by the Bank and may exercise any voting rights to which they are entitled as directors of such
other company in such manner in all respects as they think fit, including the exercise thereof in favour of any
resolution appointing the Directors or any of them to be Directors or Officers of such other company, and
voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors or officers of such other company.
77. Any Director may act by himself or his firm in a professional capacity for the Bank, and he or his firm shall be
entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director. Provided that nothing herein
contained shall authorise a Director or his firm to act as Auditor to the Bank.
78. The business of the Bank shall be controlled and managed by the Directors who may pay all expenses incurred
in promoting and registering the Bank, and may exercise all such powers of the Bank as are not, by the Statute
or by these Articles required to be exercised, by the Bank in General Meeting.
(1) Exercise all the powers of the Bank to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property
and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock, and other securities,
whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Bank or of any third party: Provided
that the aggregate amount for the time being remaining undischarged of moneys borrowed or secured by the
Bank and all its subsidiaries (other than interest and apart from temporary loans obtained in the ordinary
course of business) shall not, without the previous sanction of the Bank in General Meeting, exceed the
aggregate of the paid up share capital and reserves of the Bank. For the purpose of the said limit the issue of
debentures shall be deemed to constitute borrowing notwithstanding that the same may be issued in whole
or in part for a consideration other than cash.
(2) Make, draw, accept, endorse, and negotiate respectively promissory notes, bills, cheques or other
negotiable instruments, provided that every promissory note, bill, cheque, or other negotiable instrument
drawn, made or accepted, shall be signed by such person or persons as 'the Directors may appoint for the
purpose.
(3) Invest or lend the funds of the Bank not required for immediate use in or upon such investments as they
deem fit (other than shares of the Bank) and from time to time transpose any investments.
(4) Sell, let, exchange, or otherwise dispose of absolutely or conditionally, all or any part of the property,
privileges and undertakings of the Bank upon such terms and conditions and such consideration as they may
think fit.
(5) For the purpose of this Article "Share Capital and Reserves" means at any material time the amount
standing to the credit of the Share Capital Account of the Bank plus the aggregate amount standing to the
credit of the capital and revenue reserves (including any share premium account or capital redemption reserve
fund) of the Bank and its subsidiaries all as shown in a consolidation of their then latest balance sheets but
adjusted as may be necessary and appropriate to take account of any subsidiary not consolidated in such
accounts and of any variation in the paid up share capital or premium account of the Bank since the date of
its latest audited balance sheet and interim dividends paid in each case out of profits earned since such date
in cash or specie made, recommended or declared from such reserves or profit and loss account since such
date, excluding any sums set aside for taxation; deducting any amount for goodwill or any other intangible
asset (not being an amount representing part of the cost of a bona fide commercial acquisition of shares or
Page 51
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
other property) shown as an asset in such consolidation (as adjusted), deducting any amount attributable to
minority interests; and after making such other adjustments (if any) as the Auditors may consider appropriate,
including particular adjustments to provide for the carrying into effect of the transaction for the purpose of or
in connection with which the share capital and reserves require to be calculated. For the purpose of the
foregoing, share capital allotted shall be treated as issued notwithstanding that the issue thereof has not been
completed by the registration of the allottees or their renounces. The certificate of the Auditors as to the
amount of the share capital and reserves at any time shall be conclusive and binding upon all concerned.
(6) No lender or other person dealing with the Bank shall be concerned to see or enquire whether the said limit
is observed. No debt incurred or security given in excess of such limit shall be invalid or ineffectual except in
the case of express notice to the lender or the recipient of the security at the time when the debt was incurred
or security given that the limit hereby imposed has been or was thereby exceeded.
80. (1) The Directors may from time to time appoint one or more of their body to the office of Managing Director
or to any other office for such period and on such terms as they think fit, and subject to the terms of any
agreement entered into in any particular case, may revoke such appointment. A director so appointed shall
not, whilst holding that office, be subject to retirement by rotation or be taken into account in determining the
rotation or retirement of Directors but his appointment shall be automatically determined if he ceases from
any cause to be a Director.
(2) The Board of Directors may appoint one or more of the Shareholders and senior officers of the Bank as
Deputy Managing Director and Executive Directors on terms and conditions as it may think fit.
(3) A Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director or any Director holding any such other office or place of
profit shall receive such remuneration or emoluments as the Directors may determine.
(4) The Directors may entrust to and confer upon the Managing Director, Deputy Managing Director or to any
Director holding any such other office or place of profit, any of the powers exercisable by them, other than the
power of dealing with the shares of the Bank, upon such terms and conditions as they may think fit.
81. The Directors may establish and maintain or procure the establishment and maintenance of any non-
contributory pension or superannuation fund for the benefit of and may give or procure the giving of
pensions, allowances, gratuities or bonuses or death or disability benefits to or in respect of any persons who
are or were at any time in the employment or service of the Bank or of any company which is a subsidiary of
the Bank, or allied to or associated in business with the Bank or with any such subsidiary company or of any
business acquired by the Bank, or who are or were at any time Directors or officers of the Bank or of any such
other company as aforesaid holding executive offices or place of profit, and the wives, widows, families,
dependants and personal representatives of any such persons. Any Director (or his personal representatives
as the case may be) shall be entitled to participate, in and retain for his own benefit or for the benefit of his
estate any such pension, allowance, gratuity bonus or death or disability benefit.
82. 1) The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney appoint any company, firm or
person or any fluctuating body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be
the attorney or attorneys of the Bank for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and discretion (not
exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject
to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such powers of attorney may contain such provisions for the
protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorney as the Directors may think fit, and may
also authorise any such attorney to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him
and may:
2) Appoint any person or persons, whether a Director or Directors of the Bank or not and whether incorporated
or not, to hold in trust for the Bank any property belonging to the Bank, or in which it is interested or for any
Page 52
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
other purposes and execute and do all such instruments and things as may be requisite in relation to such
trust and the Directors may provide for the remuneration of any such trustee and for his indemnification so
far as it is permitted by the Act.
83. The Directors may establish local boards, local managing or consulting committees or local agencies in Nigeria
or elsewhere, and appoint anyone or more of their number or any other person to be members thereof with
such powers and authorities, under such regulations, for such period and at such remuneration as they may
deem fit, and may revoke any such appointment.
84. The Bank may exercise the powers conferred by Section 75 of the Act with regard to having an official seal for
use abroad, in accordance with Article 106 hereof.
85. All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments in
which the Bank is in any way concerned or interested, and all receipts for moneys paid to the Bank, shall be
signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed as the directors shall from time to time by resolution determine.
86. 1. Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books provided for the purpose:-
a) of all appointments of officers made by the Directors;
b) of the names of the Directors present at each meeting of the Director's and of any committee of the
Directors; and
c) of all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Bank, and of the Directors, and of
committees of Directors.
2. Such minutes of a meeting if purported to be signed by the Chairman of the next succeeding meeting shall
be conclusive evidence without further proof of the facts therein stated.
DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
88. The Bank may by Ordinary Resolution, of which special notice has been given in accordance with Section 262
of the Act, remove any Director notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the
Bank and such Director.
Page 53
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
89. A Director shall vacate office or cease to be a Director, if the Director directly or indirectly enjoys a facility
from the Bank that remains non-performing for a period of more than 12 months.
At any time and from time to time, the Bank may (without prejudice to the powers of the Directors under
Article 68 hereof) by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person as a Director (but so that the maximum number
of Directors fixed in accordance with these regulations is not exceeded).
90. At the Annual General Meeting held in each year, one-third of the Directors for the time being or if their
number is in multiple of three then the number nearest to but not exceeding one-third shall retire from office.
91. The Directors to retire in each year shall be those who have been longest in office since their last election, but
as between persons who become Directors on the same day those to retire shall (unless they otherwise agree
among themselves) be determined by lot.
92. A retiring Director shall be eligible for re-election and shall act as a Director throughout the meeting at which
he retires.
93. The Bank at the meeting at which a Director retires in manner aforesaid may fill the vacated office by electing
a person thereto, and in default the retiring Director shall if offering himself for re-election be deemed to have
been re-elected, unless at such meeting it is expressly resolved not to fill such vacated office or unless a
resolution for the re-election of such Director shall have been put to the meeting and lost.
94. No person other than a Director retiring at the meeting shall unless recommended by the Directors be eligible
for election to the office of Director at any general meeting unless not less than three or more than twenty-one
days before the date appointed for the meeting there shall have been left at the office notice in writing, signed
by a member duly qualified to attend and vote at the meeting for which such notice is given, of his intention
to propose such person for election and also notice in writing signed by that person of his willingness to be
elected.
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
95. (1) Subject to the provisions of these Articles the Directors may meet together for the despatch of business,
adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit. The Secretary shall, on the requisition of the
Chairman or of two other Directors summon a meeting of the Board.
(2) Subject to the provisions of these Articles a meeting of the Directors shall be called by not less than fourteen
days' notice (exclusive of the day on which it is served or deemed to be served and of the day for which it is
given) given in the manner provided by paragraph (3) of this Articles to all Directors and Alternate Directors
entitled to receive the same, every such notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and
the general nature of the business to be transacted: Provided that any meeting may be convened on such
shorter notice and in such manner as each Director or his Alternate Director may approve.
(3) Notice of meetings of the Directors shall be served on every Director and Alternate Director either
personally or by sending it through the post or by sending it by cable, telegram or telex confirmed in each case
by airmail letter. Where a notice is served by post, service shall be deemed to be effected at the expiration of 7
days from the time when the letter containing the same is posted, and where a notice is served by cable,
telegram or telex service shall be deemed to be effected at the time when the cable, telegram or telex message
is despatched.
96. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes of the Directors present. In the case
of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
Page 54
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
97. (1) The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Directors may be fixed by the Directors
and unless so fixed shall be three.
(2) Provided that if within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present,
the meeting shall stand adjourned to the following business day at the same time and place or to such other
day and at such other time and place as the Chairman of the meeting may determine, and if at the adjourned
meeting a quorum is not present within thirty minutes from the time appointed for the meeting, the Directors
present shall be a quorum.
98. The Directors shall elect amongst themselves a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman of their meeting who are both
to hold office for a period of three years unless re-elected by the board of Directors. If at any meeting the
Chairman is not present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same or if he is unable
or unwilling to act as Chairman of such meeting, the Vice-Chairman, then present and willing to act shall take
the Chair and in default the Directors present may choose one of their number to be Chairman at that meeting.
99. (1) The Directors may delegate any of their powers other than the powers to borrow, or make calls on shares,
to committees consisting of their body as they think fit.
(2) Any committee so formed shall in the exercise of the powers so delegated conform to any regulations that
may be imposed on it by the Directors but subject thereto, may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper, and may
elect a Chairman of its meetings.
(3) If the Chairman of a committee consisting of more than one Director is not present within five minutes
after the time appointed for holding a committee meeting, the members present may choose one of their
number to be Chairman of that meeting.
(4) Questions arising at any committee meeting shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members
present, and in the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote.
100. All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or by any person acting as a Director notwithstanding that it be
afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such Director or of any person
acting as aforesaid or that they or any of them were disqualified or had vacated office or were not entitled to
vote shall, in relation to any person not being a Director and having no notice (actual or constructive) of the
fact of such disqualification, be as valid as if every person had been duly appointed and was qualified to be a
Director, and had been entitled to vote.
101. A resolution in writing, signed by all the Directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a meeting of
the Directors or of a committee of the Directors, shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a
meeting of the Directors duly convened and held. Any such resolution may consist of several documents to
the like terms each signed by one or more Directors.
102. (1) Each Director shall have power to appoint any other Director or any other person to act or attend as
Alternate Director in his place during his absence or his inability to act as such Director, and at his discretion
to remove such Alternate Director by notice in writing to the Bank. A person may be appointed Alternate
Director to more than one Director.
(2) An Alternate Director shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions existing with reference to
and shall enjoy all the rights of and exercise and discharge all the duties of the Director he represents. A person
appointed Alternate Director shall have one vote for each of his appointors absent from a meeting of Directors
at which he is present and a Director present at a meeting of directors and appointed alternate for another
Director shall in the absence of his appointor have an additional vote for each of his appointors absent from
such meetings.
Page 55
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
(3)An Alternate Director shall be deemed an officer of the Bank and not the agent of appointor.
(4) An Alternate Director shall, and his appointor shall not be entitled to receive from the Bank the whole or
such part of the appointor's remuneration as the appointor shall direct.
(5) An Alternate Director shall cease to be an Alternate Director if for any reason his appointment is revoked
by his appointor, or his appointor ceases to hold the office Director.
(6) All appointments and revocation of appointments of Alternate Directors shall be in writing under the hand
of the appointor left at the registered office of the Bank or at its main place of business.
SECRETARY
103. The Secretary shall be appointed by the Directors for such terms, at such remuneration and upon such
conditions, as they may think fit, and any Secretary appointed may be removed by them.
THE SEAL
104. The Directors shall provide for the safe custody of the Seal, which shall only be used by the authority of a
resolution of the Directors, and every instrument to which the Seal shall be affixed shall be signed by a Director
and the Secretary or any other person or persons appointed by the authority of a resolution of the Directors
for the purpose.
105. The Bank may have for use in any territory, district or place not situate in Nigeria, an official Seal which shall
be a facsimile of the Seal, with the addition on its face of the name of every territory, district or place where it
is to be used, and the provisions of Section 75 of the Decree shall apply to such official Seal.
106. The Bank in General Meeting may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended
by the Directors.
107. The Directors may from time to time pay to the members such interim dividends as appear to the Directors to
be justified by the profits of the Bank, and, provided that the Directors act bonafide, they shall not incur any
liability to the holders of any shares conferring a preference for any damage they suffer by reason of the
payment of an interim dividend on any shares ranking after such preference shares. A resolution of the
Directors declaring any interim dividend shall (once announced) be irrevocable and have the same effect in
all respects as if such dividend had been declared upon the recommendation of the Directors by an Ordinary
Resolution of the Bank. The Directors may also pay half-yearly, or at other suitable intervals to be settled by
them, any dividend payable at a fixed rate, if they are of the opinion that the profits justify the payment.
108. Except as expressly authorised by the Decree, no dividend shall be paid otherwise than out of profit and the
declaration of the Directors as to the amount of the profits of the Bank shall be conclusive.
109. Any General Meeting declaring a dividend may direct payment of such dividend wholly or partly by the
distribution of specific assets, and the Directors shall give effect to such resolution, provided that no such
distribution shall be made unless recommended by the Directors. Where any difficulty arises in regard to such
distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient, and in particular may issue fractional
certificates, and fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof, and may determine
that cash payments shall be made to any members upon the footing of the value so fixed in order to adjust the
rights of all parties, and may vest any such specific assets in trustees as they deem expedient.
Page 56
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
110. The Directors may retain any dividends payable on shares in respect of which any person is under the
provisions as to the transmission of shares herein before contained entitled to become a member, or which
any person under those provisions is entitled to transfer, until such person shall become a member in respect
of such shares or shall duly transfer the same, or may pay the same to such person.
111. Any dividend, interest or other monies payable in respect of a share may be paid by cheque or warrant sent
through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of a share held by joint holders,
to the registered address of the person first named on the register of members as a holder of that share, or to
such person and to such address as the holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every cheque or warrant
shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and payment of the cheque or warrant
shall be a good discharge to the Company, every such cheque or warrant shall be sent at the risk of the persons
entitled to the money represented thereby.
112. The payment by the Directors of any unclaimed dividend or other monies payable on or in respect of a share
into a separate account shall not constitute the Bank trustee in respect thereof.
113. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of twelve years from the date of declaration of such dividend shall be
forfeited and shall revert to the Bank.
114. The Directors may, before recommending any dividend, set aside out of the profits of the Bank and carry on
reserve or reserves such sums as they think proper, which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable
for any purpose to which the profits of the Bank may be properly applied, and pending such application may,
at the like discretion, either be employed in the business of the Bank or be invested in such investments (other
than shares of the Bank) as the Directors may think fit.
115. The Directors may divide any reserve into such special reserves as they think fit and may consolidate into one
reserve any special reserves or any parts of any special reserves into which any reserve may have been divided,
as they think fit. The Directors may also without placing the same to reserve, carry forward any profits which
they may think prudent not to divide.
116. The Bank in General Meeting may, upon the recommendation of the Directors, resolve that it is desirable to
capitalise any part of the amount for the time being standing to the credit of any of the Bank's reserve accounts,
or to the credit of the profit and loss account, or otherwise available for distribution; and accordingly that such
sum be set free for distribution amongst the members who would have been entitled if distributed by way of
dividend, and in the same proportions, on condition that the same be not paid in cash but be applied either in
or towards paying up any amounts for the time being unpaid on any shares held by such members
respectively, or paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of the Bank to be allotted and distributed
credited as fully paid up to and amongst such members in the proportions aforesaid, or partly in the one way
and partly in the other, and the Directors shall give effect to such resolution.
117. Whenever such a resolution as aforesaid shall have been passed, the Directors shall make all appropriations
and applications of the amounts resolved to be capitalised thereby, and all allotments and issues of fully paid
shares or debentures, if any, and generally shall do all acts and things required to give effect thereto, with full
power to the Directors to make such provisions for the satisfaction of the right of any member under any such
resolution to a fractional certificate, or by payment in cash or otherwise, as they think fit, and also to authorise
any person to enter, on behalf of all the members entitled thereto into an agreement with the Bank providing
for the allotment to them respectively, credited as fully paid up, of any further shares to which they may be
entitled upon such capitalisation; and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding
Page 57
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
on all such members. Further the Directors may, if they think fit, make provision for the registration of any or
all of such shares as aforesaid in the names of nominees of the members entitled thereto.
ACCOUNTS
118. The Directors shall cause proper books of account to be kept with respect to:
a) all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the
receipt and expenditure takes place;
b) all sales and purchases of goods by the Bank; and
c) the assets and liabilities of the Bank.
Such books of account shall have a true and fair view of the state of the Bank’s affairs and explain its
transactions.
119. The books of account shall be kept at the registered office, or at such other place or places in Nigeria as the
Directors think fit, and shall always be open to the inspection of the Directors.
120. The Directors shall from time to time determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places
and under what conditions or regulations, the accounts and books of the Bank or any of them shall be open to
the inspection of members (not being Directors) and no member shall have any right of inspecting any account
or book or document of the Bank except as conferred by enactment or authorised by the Directors or by the
Bank in General Meeting.
121. The Directors shall from time to time, in accordance with Sections 334, 336, 342 and 345 of the Act cause to be
prepared and to be laid before the Bank in General Meeting such profit and loss accounts, balance sheets,
group accounts (if any) and reports as referred to in those sections.
122. The balance sheet shall be signed by two Directors and the profit and loss account and the Auditors' report
shall be attached thereto. A printed copy of such balance sheet and of the profit and loss account together with
a copy of the Auditors' report shall at least twenty-one days before the meeting at which the same are to be
laid before the Members of the Bank be sent to every member of the Bank and every debenture holder of
whose address the Bank is aware, and two printed copies of every such document shall at the same time be
sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
AUDITORS
123. Auditors shall be appointed and their duties regulated in accordance with Sections 357 to 360 of the Act.
NOTICES
124. A notice (which expression for the purposes of these regulation shall be deemed to include, any summons,
notice, process, order, judgment or any other document in relation to, or in the winding up of the Bank), may
be given by the Bank to any member either personally or by sending it by cable sent to him at his registered
address. Provided that in the case of a member having a registered address outside Nigeria it shall be given
by airmail or by cable to him at his registered address.
125. Where a notice is sent by post, it shall be sent by registered post if addressed to a member in Nigeria and by
registered airmail letter of addressed to member resident outside Nigeria. Then the service of such notice
shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, prepaying and posting the letter containing the notice.
Page 58
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
126. A notice may be given to the joint holders of a share by giving the notice to the joint holder first named in the
register of members in respect of the share.
127. A notice may be given by the Bank to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death or insolvency
of a member by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to them by name or by the title of
representatives of the deceased or assigns of the insolvent or by any like description at the address (if any)
supplied for the purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled or (until such an address has been supplied)
by giving the notice in any manner in which the same might have been given if the death or insolvency had
not occurred.
128. Any notice to be given by the Bank shall be signed by the Secretary (if any) or by such officer as the Directors
may appoint. Such signature may be written, printed or lithographed.
129. Every person who, by operation of law, transfer, or other means whatsoever, shall become entitled to any
share shall be bound by every notice in respect of such share which, prior to his name and address and title
to the share being notified to the Bank, shall have been duly given to the person from whom he derives his
title to such share.
130. Subject to the provisions of the Decree, any notice given in pursuance of these regulations or any document
delivered or sent by post to or left at the registered address of any member shall, notwithstanding such
member being deceased and whether or not the Bank has notice of his death, be deemed to have been duly
served in respect of any registered share whether held solely or jointly with other persons by such member,
until some other person be registered in his stead as the holder or joint holder thereof, and such service shall
for all purposes of these regulations be deemed a sufficient service of such notice or document on his or her
heirs, executors or administrators and all persons, if any, jointly interested with him or her in any such share.
WINDING UP
131. If the Bank shall be wound up voluntarily or otherwise, the liquidators may, with the sanction of a Special
Resolution and any other sanction required by the Act, divide amongst the contributories in specie or kind
the whole or any part of the assets of the Bank and may, with the like sanction, vest the whole or any part of
the assets of the Bank in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the contributories or any of them as the
liquidators with the like sanction shall think fit.
INDEMNITY
132. Every Director, Manager, Auditor or Officer of the Bank or any person (whether an officer of the Bank or not)
employed by the Bank shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Bank against any liability incurred by him
as such Directors, Manager, Officer or Auditor in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in
which judgment is given in his favour or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any proceedings in
which relief is given to him by the Court under Section 641 of the Act.
Page 59
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Reporting
Accountant’s
Report
December 2018
Page 60
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
The Directors
Access Bank Plc
Plot 999c, Danmole Street
Off Adeola Odeku/Idejo Street
PMB 80150
Victoria Island
Lagos
and
The Directors
Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited
1st Floor, 45 Saka Tinubu Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Opinion
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position for periods ended 31 December
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 30 June 2018, and consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive
income for the periods then ended. The financial information was derived from the audited financial statements of
Access Bank Plc (the “Bank”) and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) for the periods ended 31 December 2013, 2014,
2015, 2016, 2017 and 30 June 2018, and in accordance with Note 1 to the summary financial information.
The Directors are responsible for the preparation of these financial information which are derived from the financial
statements and the Financial statements which were prepared in accordance with the International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and in the manner required by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C.20, Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011, the Banks and other
Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and relevant Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) Guidelines and Circulars, and for such internal control as Directors determine is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial information that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the accompanying financial information. We conducted our review
in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (ISRE) 2400 (Revised), Engagements to Review
Historical Financial Statements. ISRE 2400 (Revised) requires us to conclude whether anything has come to our
attention that causes us to believe that the financial information, taken as a whole, are not prepared in all material
respects in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. This Standard also requires us to comply
with relevant ethical requirements.
A review of financial information in accordance with ISRE 2400 (Revised) is a limited assurance engagement. The
review primarily consists of making inquiries of management and others as appropriate, applying analytical
procedures, and evaluating the evidence obtained.
Page 61
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
The procedures performed in a review are substantially less than those performed in an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion on this
financial information.
Conclusions
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying financial
information has not been prepared, in all material respects based on the financial position of the Group and the
Bank as at the periods ended 31 December 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 30 June 2018 and of its financial
performance for the periods then ended, in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs)
and in the manner required by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C.20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,
2004 and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011, the Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap
B3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and relevant Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Guidelines and Circulars.
Signed:
Ayodele H. Othihiwa
FCA/2012/ICAN/00000000425
For: KPMG Professional Services
Chartered Accountants
27 December 2018
Lagos, Nigeria
Page 62
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Note 1
The summary financial information comprises the consolidated statements of financial position for periods ended
31 December 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 30 June 2018, and consolidated statements of profit or loss and other
comprehensive income for the periods then ended; derived from the full financial statements prepared in
accordance with the Bank’s accounting policy.
Assets
Cash and balances with banks 1,140,541,702 953,944,176 713,889,105 478,409,336 405,014,793 439,459,541
Investment under management 20,723,830 20,257,131 14,871,247 10,403,608 - -
Non pledged trading assets 57,865,976 46,854,061 44,629,579 52,298,422 28,411,644 3,877,969
Derivative financial assets 124,944,697 93,419,293 156,042,984 77,905,020 24,866,681 102,123
Loans and advances to banks 94,073,439 68,114,076 45,203,002 42,733,910 12,435,659 24,579,875
Loans and advances to customers 1,905,021,613 1,995,987,627 1,809,459,172 1,365,830,831 1,110,464,442 786,169,704
Pledged assets 334,115,486 447,114,404 314,947,502 203,715,397 87,072,147 63,409,851
Investment securities 412,562,689 278,167,757 229,113,772 186,223,126 270,211,388 353,811,348
Other assets 157,624,493 82,753,431 63,255,054 83,014,503 56,310,620 52,019,723
Investment properties - - - - - 23,974,789
Investments in associate - - - - - 3,623,325
Investment in subsidiaries - - - - - -
Property and equipment 103,599,336 97,114,640 84,109,052 73,329,927 69,659,707 67,243,305
Intangible assets 8,098,592 8,295,855 6,939,555 6,440,616 5,592,991 3,659,071
Deferred tax assets 1,212,848 740,402 1,264,813 10,845,612 10,881,984 10,687,635
4,360,384,701 4,092,762,853 3,483,724,837 2,591,150,308 2,080,922,055 1,832,618,259
Asset classified as held for sale 11,022,991 9,479,967 140,727 179,843 23,438,484 2,847,741
Total assets 4,371,407,692 4,102,242,820 3,483,865,564 2,591,330,151 2,591,330,151 1,835,466,000
4,102,242,820
3,483,865,564
2,591,330,151
2,104,360,540
Liabilities 1,835,466,000
Deposits from financial institution 666,902,321 450,196,970 167,356,583 72,914,421 119,045,423 72,147,955
Deposits from customers 2,408,982,524 2,244,879,075 2,089,197,286 1,683,244,320 1,454,419,052 1,331,418,659
Derivative financial liabilities 4,629,711 5,332,177 30,444,501 3,077,927 1,989,662 32,955
Current tax liabilities 5,735,511 7,489,586 5,938,662 7,780,824 8,180,969 6,899,558
Other liabilities 187,645,022 253,914,174 113,571,240 69,355,947 21,689,079 56,847,216
Deferred tax liabilities 9,137,069 8,764,262 3,699,050 266,644 59,038 37,861
Debt securities issued 297,335,252 302,106,706 316,544,502 149,853,640 138,481,179 55,828,248
Interest-bearing borrowings 328,039,139 311,617,187 299,543,707 231,467,161 79,816,309 64,338,982
Retirement benefit Obligation 2,812,993 2,495,274 3,075,453 5,567,800 3,269,100 1,933,021
3,911,219,542 3,586,795,411 3,029,370,984 2,223,528,684 1,826,949,811 1,589,484,455
Liabilities held for sale 1,499,495 1,499,495
Total liabilities 3,911,219,542 3,586,795,411 3,029,370,984 2,223,528,684 1,826,949,811 1,590,983,950
Equity
Share capital and share premium 212,438,802 212,438,802 212,438,802 212,438,802 172,477,671 172,477,671
Retained earnings 127,800,057 117,701,679 93,614,030 51,730,369 34,139,454 22,232,375
Other components of equity 112,436,530 178,399,413 142,194,720 99,732,330 67,262,761 48,003,894
Total equity attributable to 452,675,389 508,539,894 448,247,552 363,901,501 273,879,886 242,713,940
owners of the bank
Non controlling interest 7,512,761 6,907,515 6,247,028 3,899,966 3,530,843 1,768,110
ownerowwof
Total equity the Bank 460,188,150 515,447,409 454,494,580 367,801,467 277,410,729 244,482,050
Total liabilities
Total liabilitiesand
andequity
equity 4,371,407,692 4,102,242,820 3,483,865,564 2,591,330,151 2,104,360,540 1,835,466,000
Page 63
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Net interest income after impairment 77,956,239 128,984,677 117,194,941 91,156,935 88,364,872 83,887,185
Fee and commission income 30,284,866 56,674,334 55,440,500 33,463,887 30,796,798 31,653,170
Fee and commission expense (217,896) (77,017) (576,697) (151,118) (36,763) (105,638)
Net fee and commission income 30,066,970 56,597,317 54,863,803 33,312,769 30,760,035 31,547,532
Net gains on investment securities 59,564,776 (33,403,225) 55,051,078 62,738,014 23,406,363 1,875,283
Profit for the year 39,625,177 61,990,852 71,439,347 65,868,773 43,063,479 36,031,832
Page 64
APPENDIX I – FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACCESS BANK PLC
Copies of the following documents may be inspected at the offices of Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited
45 Saka Tinubu Street (1st Floor), Victoria Island, Lagos, during normal business hours on any business day,
until the Effective Date:
Page 65
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
A. Background Information
Diamond Bank Plc began operations as a private limited liability company on March 21, 1991 having been
incorporated on March 15, 1991. In February 2001, the Bank was granted a universal banking licence by the
Central Bank of Nigeria. On January 28, 2005, following a successful Private Placement and an Initial Public
Offer (“IPO”), the Bank was re-registered as a Public Limited Company and was subsequently listed on the
Nigerian Stock Exchange in May 2005. In October 2005, the Bank acquired former Lion Bank of Nigeria Plc.
The Bank was also listed on the Professional Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2007,
following a successful US$500 million Global Depositary Receipts (“GDR”) offering. In 2013, following the
Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulation repealing the universal banking model, Diamond Bank converted its
license to an international commercial banking license. In November 2018, Diamond Bank was re-licensed
as a national bank following Diamond Bank’s decision to sell its international operations.
The Bank’s initial authorised share capital at incorporation was N25,000,000 divided into 50,000,000
ordinary shares of 50 kobo each. At present, the authorised share capital is N20,000,000,000 comprising
40,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each and the issued and fully paid share capital is N11,580,194,484
divided into 23,160,388,968 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.
The changes in the share capital of the Bank since inception are summarised below:
Page 66
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
As at December 31, 2018, the 23,160,388,968 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in the issued share capital of
Diamond Bank were beneficially held as follows:
Name Holding %
CSSAF DBN Holdings 4,110,118,107 17.75%
KUNOCH DB LIMITED 1,975,935,789 8.53%
STANBIC NOMINEES NIG. LTD 1,780,239,282 7.69%
DIAMOND PARTNERS LIMITED 1,411,694,266 6.10%
AGL AFRICA EX-SA EQUITY (USD) FUND-TRAD 1,141,389,398 4.93%
Others 12,741,012,126 55.01%
Total 23,160,388,968 100.00%
Directors’ Interest
As at December 31, 2018, the interests of Directors in Diamond Bank were as follows:
Directors Direct % Holding Indirect % Holding
Mr. Dele Babade - - 4,110,118,107*** 17.75%
Mr. Uzoma Dozie (Managing Director) 26,489,005 0.11% 848,872,310* 3.67%
Mrs. Caroline Anyanwu (Deputy 6,330,000 0.03%
Managing Director/CRO)
Mrs. Chizoma Okoli (Executive) 2,347,234 0.01%
Mr. Chiugo Ndubisi (Executive) 1,509,210 0.01%
Mr. Kabir Alkali Mohammed 8,784,519 0.04% 227,700** 0.00%
Mr. Christopher Ubosi* 184,200 0.00%
Mr. Idris Mohammed - - 4,110,118,107*** 17.75%
Page 67
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
iii) Indebtedness
As at December 31, 2018, Diamond Bank had total indebtedness of N236,368,204,461, comprising interbank
borrowings, unsecured facilities from the CBN under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, Bank of
Industry on-lending facilities and other borrowings consisting of foreign currency denominated facilities.
As at the date of this Scheme Document, Diamond Bank had the following subsidiary, and associated
companies:
Subsidiaries
Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited
Diamond Finance BV
Associates
Flavours Foods Limited
PCI Resins Limited
PCI Paints Limited
Savannah Chum Chum & Fries Limited
Pek Industries Limited
Credit Ref. Company Nigeria Limited
APL Electric Limited
Geometrics - Power Aba Limited
v) Premises
PGD's Place, Plot 4, Block 5, BIS Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
vi) Branches
4 Ogbor Hill, Ikot Ekpene Road Aba 40 Ikot Ekpene Road,Aba Aba North Abia
5 Alaoji, Aba - Port Harcourt Road 550/560 Ph Road, Aba Aba North Abia
6 Umuahia, Ikot - Ekpene Road Umuahia Industrial Mkt, Umuahia Umuahia North Abia
Owerrinta, Km 3 Umuikaa/Owerri Owerrinta, Opp. Naval Base,
7 Rd Owerri-Aba Road Isiala Ngwa Isiala Ngwa South Abia
Osisioma, Umuakpara Osisioma,
8 Ret Shp - Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Ngwa Abia
Page 68
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
32 Yola, Galadima Aminu Way 10 Galadima Aminu Way, Yola Fufore Adamawa
33 Mubi, Mohammed Bello Way 26 Ahmadu Bello Way Mubi Adamawa
34 Uyo Abak Road 108 Abak Road, Uyo Abak Akwa Ibom
35 Eket Grace Bill Road 6/8 Grace Bill Road, Eket Eket Akwa Ibom
36 Near Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene 46 Aba Road, Ikot Ekpene Essien Udim Akwa Ibom
37 Udo Udoma, Uyo 5 Udo Udoma Aveune, Uyo Uyo Akwa Ibom
38 Abak - Ikot Ekpene Rd, Abak 60 Ikot Ekpene Road, Abak Abak Akwa Ibom
Page 69
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
Page 70
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
82 Benin, Ugbowo Road 170 Ugbowo Lagos Road, Benin Egor Edo
83 Benin, Mission Road 109 Mission Road, Benin City Oredo Edo
Ikpoba
84 Benin, 123 Benin-Agbor Road 123 Benin Agbor Road Okha/Oredo Edo
85 Ado-Ekiti, New Iyin Road 146 Secretariat Road Ado Ekiti Ekiti Ekiti
86 Enugu, Garden Avenue 40 Garden Avenue Enugu North Enugu
87 Enugu, Okpara Avenue 32E Okpara Avenue Enugu North Enugu
88 Nsukka, Enugu/Oba Road 69B Enugu Rd Nsukka Nsukka Enugu
89 Enugu, Agbani Road 100 Agbani Road Enugu East Enugu
Page 71
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
106 Retail Shop - Naze Market (090) Timber And Allied Market Naze Owerri North Imo
107 Dutse, Sani Abacha Way Plot C1, Sani Abach Way, Dutse Dutse Jigawa
108 Kaduna, 1 Kachia Road 1, Kachia Rd Kachia Kaduna
Near 16E Ahmadu Bello Way
109 23 Ahmadu Bello Way Kaduna Kaduna Kaduna South Kaduna
110 Jaji, Jaji Military Cantonment Jaji Military Cantoment Igabi Kaduna
111 Zaria, Kaduna Road F13 Kaduna Road, Zaria Zaria Kaduna
132 Ikeja, Ladipo Oluwole Street 34, Ladipo Oluwole Street Ikeja Lagos
Page 72
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
141 Matori, Ladipo Street 129 Ladipo Street, Matori Mushin Lagos
Km 19, Lagos/ Badagry
142 Coker, Lag/Bad Exp. Expressway, Coker Bus Stop Orile Surulere Lagos
Balogun Business Association (Bba
1), Atiku Abubakar Plaza, Trade Fair
143 Bba Lagos, Atiku Abubakar Plaza Complex, Badagry Expressway Amuwo-Odofin Lagos
Ebute Metta, Market Street
144 Oyingbo Ebute Metta Lagos Mainland Lagos
145 Surulere, Bode Thomas Street 31 Bode Thomas Surulere Surulere Lagos
146 Ikoyi, Awolowo Road 80 Awolowo Road Eti-Osa Lagos
147 L/I, Broad Street 121 Broad Street Lagos Island Lagos
148 Ikeja, 60 Opebi Road 60 Opebi Road, Ikeja Ikeja Lagos
149 Alaba Int'l, Dobbill Plaza Dobbil Plaza Avenue Ojo Lagos
150 Apapa, Creek Road 16 Creek Road, Apapa Apapa Lagos
151 Bba Lagos, Bank Plaza Bba2 Lagos Bank Plaza Amuwo-Odofin Lagos
152 Trade F. C., Aspamda Office Office Block 2, Trade Fair Complex Amuwo-Odofin Lagos
153 Ogba, Ijaiye Road 36 Ijaiye Road, Ogba Ikeja Lagos
154 Apapa, Oshodi Expressway Apapa Oshodi Apapa Lagos
155 L/I, Oke Arin 1 Oke Arin Street Lagos Island Lagos
156 Yaba, Herbert Macaulay Road 238 Herbert Macaulay Road, Yaba Lagos Mainland Lagos
157 Ikorodu, Lagos Road 83 Lagos Road, Ikorodu Ikorodu Lagos
158 Lekki, Lekki-Epe Expressway Plot 10, Block 117, Lekki Peninsula Eti-Osa Lagos
281 Agege Motor Road, Olorunsogo,
159 Mushin, Agege Motor Road Mushin Mushin Lagos
160 Lagos Island, Enu Owa Street 71 Enu Owa Street Lagos Island Lagos
161 Festac Town, Second Avenue House 20, 2Nd Avenue Festac Town Amuwo-Odofin Lagos
166, Lagos Abeokuta Express Way,
162 Iyana Ipaja, Lagos Abeokuta Exp Iyana Ipaja Alimosho Lagos
163 Seme, Seme Border Bank Avenue, Seme Border Badagry Lagos
164 Surulere, Lawanson Road 58 Lawanson Road, Surulere,Lagos Sululere Lagos
165 Onikan, K. George V Rd 11 King George V Rd, Onikan Lagos Island Lagos
Page 73
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
185 V/I, Ahmadu Bello Way 18, Ahmadu Bello Way Vi Eti-Osa Lagos
Densine Plaza, Olojo Drive, Alaba
186 Alaba Densine Plaza Olojo Drive Int'L Market Ojo Lagos
187 Ojuelegba, Shifawu Street 53/55 Shifawu Street, Ojuelegba Surulere Lagos
4A Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way,
188 Maryland, Bank Anthony Way Maryland Ikeja Lagos
189 Badagry, Joseph Dosu Road Joseph Dosu Way, Badagry Badagry Lagos
190 V/I, Ajose Adeogun 291A/B Ajose Adeogun VI Eti-Osa Lagos
191 V/I, Ademola Adetokunbo 12A Adetokunbo Ademola Street, VI Eti-Osa Lagos
192 Obalende, Keffi Street 6 Keffi Street, Obalende , Ikoyi Lagos Island Lagos
193 Surulere, Enitan Street Aguda 23 Enitan Street Aguda Surulere Lagos
Oshodi, Oshodi-Apapa 16B Oshodi Apapa Expressway
194 Expressway Lagos Oshodi-Isolo Lagos
195 Ajah, Addo Road Ajah, Addo Sign Board Eti-Osa Lagos
196 Mafoluku, Intl Airport Road 8 Airport Road Mafoluku Oshodi-Isolo Lagos
Plot 1, Block 36, Admiralty Way,
197 Lekki Phase I, Admiralty Way Lekki Eti-Osa Lagos
Page 74
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
220 Retail Shop - Ifako Agege (080) 71 College Road, Ogba Ikeja Lagos
221 Retail Shop - Ifako Gbagada (087) 20 Diya Street Gbagada, Lagos Kosofe Lagos
Retail Shop - Iddo, Ebute Metta
222 (050) Iddo Ultra modern Market, Lagos Lagos Mainland Lagos
223 Lafia, Doma Road 20/21 Doma Road, Lafia Lafia Nasarawa
Plot 1 Opposite Akwanga Police
224 Akwanga, Keffi Road Division, Off Keffi Road, Akwanga Keffi Nasarawa
225 Keffi, Abubakar Burga Street Plot 27, Abubakar Burga Road Keffi Nasarawa
Opp St William Catholic Church
226 Lafia, Jos Road Jos Rd Lafia Lafia Nasarawa
Page 75
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
230 IBB Market Suleja Plot 18 Suleiman Barau Rd Suleja Suleja Niger
237 Sagamu, Akarigbo Street 145 Akarigbo Street Sagamu Sagamu Ogun
238 Ijebu Ode, 35 Ibadan Road 61 Ibadan Road,Ijebu Ode Ijebu Ode Ogun
239 Otta, Idiroko Road Km 4 Idiroko Road Otta Ado-Odo/Ota Ogun
Opposite NNPC Maga Station
240 Abeokuta, Adatan Road Adatan, Car Wash. Abeokuta North Ogun
Road G, Before Petroleum &
Chemical Dept. Building, Convenant
241 Covenant University ICT Center University, Ota Ado-Odo/Ota Ogun
Retail Shop - Babcock University
242 (137) Babcock University, Ilisan Remo Remo North Ogun
243 Akure, Oyemekun Street 80 Oyemekun Road, Akure Akure South Ondo
244 Ondo Town, Yaba Road 10 Yaba Road, Ondo Akure South Ondo
73 Gbongan-Ibadan Rd., Ogo-Oluwa
245 Oshogbo, Gbongan-Ibadan Road Area, Olosan Bus Stop, Oshogbo Osogbo Osun
246 Ilesha, Ita Balogun Street 36/38 Ita Balogun street, Ilesha Ilesa West Osun
247 Ile - Ife, Lagere Road 12 Lagere Road Ile Ife Ife South Osun
Ibadan North-
248 Ibadan, Lebanon Street 11, Lebanon Street, Ibadan West Oyo
Ibadan North-
249 Ibadan, Iwo Road 53, Iwo Road East Oyo
8, M.K.O Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan South-
250 Ibadan, Ring Road Ibadan West Oyo
152 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Oke Ibadan South-
251 Ibadan, Oke - Ado Ado Ibadan West Oyo
252 Ibadan, Agodi UCH Second Gate UCH Agodi Gate Ibadan Ibadan North Oyo
Page 76
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
256 Retail Shop - Bodija Ibadan (022) UI Secretariat Road Bodija Ibadan Ibadan North Oyo
257 Jos, Commercial Area 13 Jos Commercial Area Jos North Plateau
258 Jos, Ahmadu Bello Way Jos, Ahmadu Bello Way Jos North Plateau
259 Jos, Club Road No. 1, Club Road, Jos Jos North Plateau
260 Bukuru, Old Jos Road 65 Old Jos Road, Bukuru Jos South Plateau
No. 68 & 70, Mallam Kure Street,
261 Retail Shop - Katako (015) Laranto Katako Plateau
Retail Shop - University Of Jos
262 (055) University Of Jos, Permanent Site Jos North Plateau
Plot 71, Elekahia Estate Road, Trans
263 PH, Trans Amadi Amadi, PH Port Harcourt Rivers
264 222 Ikwerre Road, Mile 3 222 Ikwerre Road, Mile 3 Ikwerre Rivers
265 PH Bonny 9 King Perekule Road Bonny Rivers
266 PH, Fot Onne Federal Ocean Terminal, I.T.T, Onne Eleme Rivers
267 PH 50 Ikwerre Road 50 Ikwerre Road, Mile 1 Diobu Ikwerre Rivers
268 PH 145 Aba Road 145 Aba Road Portharcourt Port Harcourt Rivers
Page 77
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
Below are relevant extracts from the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association:
Memorandum of Association
3 (xxvi) To establish or promote any company for the purpose of acquiring all or any of the property rights
and liabilities of the Company or for any other purpose which may seem directly or indirectly
calculated to benefit the Company.
3(xxvii) To amalgamate with any company having objects similar to those of this Company.
3(xxviii) To sell or dispose of the whole undertakings of the Company or any part thereof for such
consideration as the Company may think fit and in particular for shares, debentures or securities
of any other company having objects altogether or in part similar to those of this Company.
Articles of Association
Shares
6. a. The share capital of the Company is N20,000,000,000.00 (Twenty Billion Naira) divided into
40,000,000,000 (Forty Billion) Ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.
b. Without prejudice to any special rights previously conferred to the holders of existing shares in
the Company, new shares in the capital of the Company may be issued with such preferred,
deferred or other special rights, or such restrictions, whether in regard to dividend, voting, return
of share capital or otherwise, as the Company may from time to time by special resolution
determine.
7. Except as required by law, no person shall be recognized by the Company as holding any shares
upon any trust, and the Company shall not be bound by, or be compelled in any way to recognize
(even when having notice thereof) an equitable contingent or future interest in any share, or any
interest in any rational part of a share or (except only as by these Articles or by law otherwise
provided) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute rights to the entirety thereof
in the registered holder or holders.
8. Every person whose name is entered as a member in the Register of members shall be entities
without payment to receive within two months after allotment or lodgement of transfer (or within
such other period as the conditions of issue shall provide) one certificate for all his shares, or several
certificates each for one or more of his shares, upon payment of twenty five kobo for every
certificate after the first, or such less sum as the Directors shall from time to time determine. Every
certificate shall be under the seal and shall specify the shares to which it relates and the amount
paid up thereon. Provided that in respect of a share or shares jointly held by several persons the
Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate, and delivery of a certificate for a
share to one or several joint holders shall be sufficient delivery to all such holders.
9. If a share certificate be defaced, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on payment of a fee of twenty-
five kobo, or such less sum and on such terms, if any, as to evidence and indemnity and the
payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Company in investigating evidence as the Directors think
fit.
Page 78
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
Transfer of Shares
26. The instrument of transfer of any shares shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor or
transferee, and the transferor shall be deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of
the transferee is entered in the Register in respect thereof.
27. Subject to such of the restriction of these articles as may be applicable, any member may transfer
all or any of his shares by instrument in writing in any useful or common form or any other form
which the Directors may approve.
28. No fee shall be payable in respect of any transfer lodged for registration
29. Save as herein otherwise provided, all fully-paid shares shall be free from any restriction on the
right of transfer and shall be free from all lien, except as otherwise prescribed by the operation of
law.
30. The Directors may also decline to recognise any instrument of transfer unless:
(a) the instrument of transfer is accompanied by certificate of the shares to which it relates,
and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the
transferor to make the transfer; and
(b) the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares
31. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer, they shall within one month after the date on which
the transfer was ledged with the Company send to the transferee notice of the refusal.
32. The registration of transfers may be suspended at such times and for such periods as the Directors
may from time to time determine provided always that such registration shall not be suspended
for more than thirty consecutive days in any year.
Alteration of Capital
a. Consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amounts than
its existing shares;
b. Sub-divide its existing shares, or any of them, into shares of smaller amounts than is fixed
by the Memorandum of Association; and
c. Cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the Resolution, have not been taken
or agreed to be taken by any person.
47. The Company may by special resolution reduce its share capital and capital redemption reserve
fund or any share premium account in any manner and subject to any incident authorised, and
consent required by law.
Page 79
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
General Meetings
48. The Company shall in each year hold a general meeting as its Annual General Meeting, in addition
to any other meeting in that year; and shall specify the meeting as such in the notice calling it, and
not more than fifteen months shall elapse between the date of one Annual General Meeting of the
Company and that of the next. Provided that the Company holds its first Annual General Meeting
within eighteen months of its incorporation or in the following year. The Annual General Meeting
shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall appoint.
49. All general meetings other than Annual General Meetings shall be called Extraordinary General
Meetings.
50. The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene an Extraordinary General Meeting, and
Extraordinary General Meetings shall also be convened on such requisition, or in default, may be
convened by such requisitionists, as provided by Section 215 of the Act. If at any time there are not
within Nigeria sufficient Directors capable of acting to form a quorum, any Director or any two
members of the Company may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting in the same manner or
as nearly as possible as that in which meetings may be convened by the Director
51. An Annual General Meeting, and a meeting for the passing of a special resolution, shall be called
by twenty-one days notice in writing at the least, and a meeting of the company other than an
Annual General Meeting or a meeting for the passing of a special resolution shall be called by at
least fourteen days’ notice in writing. The notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it was given,
and shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting, and in case of special business, the
general nature of the business, and that a member may be represented by not more than one proxy.
The notice shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned, or in such other manner, if any, as
may be prescribed by the Company in general meeting, to such persons as are under the Articles,
entitled to receive such notices from the Company.
52. A meeting of the Company shall, notwithstanding that it is called by a shorter notice than that
specified in clause 51 of these Articles, be deemed to have been duly called if it is so agreed:
a. In the case of a meeting called as the Annual General Meeting, by all the members entitled
to attend and vote thereat and;
b. In the case of any other meeting, by a majority in number of the members having a right to
attend and vote at the meeting, being a majority together holding not less than ninety-five
per cent in nominal value of the shares giving that right.
53. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of a meeting by
any person entitled to receive notice shall not invalidate the proceedings at any meeting.
54. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of members is present at
the time when the meeting proceeds to business, save as herein otherwise provided the quorum
for a meeting of the Company shall be members present in person or by proxy holding not less
than 25% of the issued and paid up share capital.
Page 80
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
55. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the
meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members, shall be dissolved; in any other case, it shall
be held on the same day in the next week as the same time and place, or on such other day and at
such other place as the Directors may determine, and if at all adjourned meeting a quorum is not
present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the meeting shall be
adjourned sine die.
56. The Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors shall preside as Chairman at every general meeting
of the Company or if no such Chairman, or if he is not present within fifteen minutes after the time
appointed for holding the meeting, or is unwilling to act as Chairman, the Directors present shall
choose one of their members to be Chairman of the meeting; and if no Director is present, the
members shall choose any member present to be Chairman of the meeting.
57. The duty of the Chairman shall be to maintain order at the meeting and to regulate the proceedings.
He shall have authority to decide conclusively all incidental questions touching matters or order
and to adjudicate on the matter of the validity of vote.
58. The Chairman may with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so
directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no
business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at
the meeting from which the adjournment tool place. When a meeting is adjourned for thirty days
or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Save
as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjournment or of the business to be
transacted at an adjourned meeting.
59. At any general meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided on a show of
hands unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded:
a. By the Chairman; or
c. By any member or members present in person or by proxy and representing not less than
one-tenth of the total rights of all the members having the rights to vote at the meeting; or
d. By a member or members holding share in the Company conferring a right to vote at the
meeting, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to and not less
than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all shares conferring that right.
60. When a resolution is voted on by a show of hands, the Chairman shall forthwith declare the result
of the voting and the declaration by the Chairman that the resolution has been carried, or carried
unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost, shall not be challenged by any member of the
Company; and an entry in the book containing the minutes if the proceedings of the Company of
the declaration by the Chairman as to be the result of the voting by show of hands shall be
conclusive evidence of the fact that without proof of the number of proportion of the votes recorded
in favour of or against such resolution; but the provisions of this clause shall not apply if a poll is
demanded in the manner specified in clause 59 of these Articles.
Page 81
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
61. A poll demanded on the election of Chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken
forthwith, an a poll demanded or, any other question shall be taken at such time and in such
manner as the Chairman of the meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a
poll has been demanded may be proceeded with, pending the taking of the poll. The result of the
poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll is determined.
62. In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the Chairman of the
meeting as which the show of hands took place or at which the poll is demanded shall be entitled
to a second or casting vote.
Vote of Members
63. Subject to any right or restriction from the time being attached to any class or classes of shares, on
a show of hands every member present in person shall have one vote, and every member shall
have one vote for every share of which he is the holder.
64. No member shall be entitles to vote at any general meeting unless all calls or other sums presently
payable by him to the Company in respect of shares of the Company have been paid.
65. A member of the Company may appoint any one person as his proxy, whether or not such person
is a member of the Company, to attend any general meeting of the Company, but no member shall
be represented by more than one proxy at the same meeting. The proxy shall have the same right
as the member who appointed him to speak at the meeting and to vote on a poll, but shall not be
entitles to vote when the vote is taken by show of hands.
66. The instruction appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his
attorney duly authorised in writing, or if the appointor is a corporation, either under the seal, or
under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised.
67. The instrument appointing a proxy and the power of attorney or other authority, if any, under
which it is signed or a notarized certified copy of that power or authority, shall be deposited at the
registered office of the Company or at of at such other place within Nigeria as is specified for that
purpose in the notice convening the meeting, not less than forty-eight hours before the time for
holding the meeting or adjourned meeting, at which the person names in the instrument proposes
to vote, or in the case of a poll, not less than twenty-four hours before the time appointed for taking
the poll, and in default the instrument of proxy shall not be treated as valid.
68. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be in the following form or a form as near thereto as
circumstances admit or in any other form which the Directors shall approve:-
……………………………………………………..PLC
I/We…..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….of
………...……………………………………………………………………………………………… being a
member/members of the above-names Company hereby appoint
………………………………………… of ……………………………………………………………… or
failing him ………………………………………….. of ………………………………………….. as
my/our proxy to vote for me/us on ………………………………. my/our behalf at the Annual
General /Extraordinary General Meeting of ………………………………….. Company to be held
on the day of …………………. 20………..
69. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to attend or join in
demanding a poll.
Page 82
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
70. Any corporation which is a member of the Company may by resolution of its Directors or other
governing body authorize such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of
the Company, or of any class of members of the Company, and the person so authorised shall be
entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as that
corporation could exercise if it were an individual member of the Company.
71. Subject to the provisions of the Act, a resolution in writing by all the members for the time being
entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or being corporation, by
their duly authorized representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the same had been passed
at a general meeting of the company duly convened and held.
Directors
72. The first Directors of the Company shall be appointed by the subscribers to the Memorandum of
Association.
Unless and until otherwise determined by the Company in general meeting the number of
Directors shall not be less than five not more than twenty.
73. The remuneration of each Director shall from time to time be determined by the Company in
general meeting, such remuneration shall be deemed to accrue from day to day. The Directors may
also be paid all travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending and
returning from meetings of the Directors or any committee of the Directors or general meetings of
the Company or in connection with the business of the Company.
74. The shareholding qualification for Directors may be fixed by the Company in general meeting, and
unless and until so fixed no qualification shall be required.
75. The business of the Company shall be managed by the Directors who may pay all expenses
incurred in promoting and registering the Company, and may exercise all such powers of the
Company as are not, by the Act or by the Articles, required to be exercised by the Company in
general meeting subject nevertheless to any clause of the Articles, to the provisions of the Act and
to such regulations, being not inconsistent with the aforesaid clause or provisions, as may be
prescribed by the Company in general meeting, but no regulation made by the Company in general
meeting shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if that
regulation had not been made.
76. Any Director may also from time to time, appoint any person to be an alternative or substitute
Director, provided that such appointment is approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
The appointee, while he holds office as an alternate or substitute Director, shall be entitled to
receive notices of the meetings of the Directors, and of the committees of the Directors, and to
attend and vote thereat, and to act, to the same extent as the Director appointing him, but he shall
not require any qualification, and shall not be entitled to any remuneration from the Company
otherwise than that of the remuneration of the Director appointing him, as may be agreed between
the said Director and the appointee.
77. Any appointment so made may be revoked at any time by the appointing Director or by a
resolution of the Directors, or by an ordinary resolution of the Company in general meeting. Any
Page 83
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
appointment or revocation thereof by the appointing Director, made under this clause shall be
made in writing, and notice in writing shall be given to the registered office of the Company or to
some other place as the Company may determine from time to time.
78. All acts done by any meeting of the Directors, or of a committee of Directors, or by any person
acting as a Director, shall notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some
defect in the appointment of any such Directors or persons acting as aforesaid, or that they or any
of them were disqualified to be or to act as Directors, be as valid as if every such person had been
duly appointed and was qualified to be a Director.
79. The Directors may from time to time and at any time by power of attorney appoint any company,
firm or person or body or persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be
the attorney or attorneys or the Company for such purposes and with such powers, authorities and
discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under the Articles) and
for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit and any such power of attorney.
81. A Director who is in any way whether directly or indirectly interested in a contract or proposed
contract with the Company shall declare the nature of his interest at a meeting of the Directors.
82. A Director may vote at any meeting of the Directors in respect of any such contract as is referred
to in clause 81 of the Articles or in respect of any arrangement in which he is either directly or
indirectly interested, and if he shall do so his vote shall be counted, and he shall be counted in the
quorum present at the meeting; but either or both of these provisions may at any time be altered
to any extent and either generally or in respect of any particular contract, arrangement on
transaction, by the Company in general meeting so as to prohibit a Director voting or being counted
in a quorum.
87. The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books provided for the purpose:-
b. Of the names of the Directors present at any meeting or the Directors and of any committee
of the Directors; and
c. Of all resolutions and proceedings at all meetings of the Company, and or committee of
Directors.
And every Director present at any meeting of Directors of the Company, and or committee of
Directors, shall sign his name in a book to be kept for that purpose.
Disqualification of Directors
90. The Company may from time to time, by special resolution, increase or reduce the number of
Directors.
Page 84
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
91. The Directors shall have power at any time, and from time to time, to appoint any person to be a
Director whether to fill a casual vacancy, or as an addition to the existing Directors, but so that the
total number of Directors shall not at any time exceed the number fixed in accordance with clause
72 of the Articles. Any Director so appointed shall hold office only until the next following Annual
General Meeting, and shall then be eligible for re-election.
92. The Company may by special resolution remove any Director before the expiration of his period
of office, notwithstanding any thing in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company
and such Director. Such removal shall be without prejudice to any claim such Director may have
for damages for breach of any contract of service between him and the Company.
Proceedings of Directors
93. The Directors may meet together in Nigeria for the dispatch of business, adjourn and otherwise
regulate their meetings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a
majority of votes. In case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second, or casting vote. A
Director may, and the Secretary on the requisition of the Directors, shall at any time summon a
meeting of the Directors. It shall not be necessary to give notice of a meeting of the Directors to any
Director for the time being absent from Nigeria.
94. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business at a Board Meeting of the Directors shall be
two thirds of the number of Directors on the Board.
95. The continuing Directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as
their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles and regulations
of the Company as the necessary quorum of Directors, the continuing Directors may act for the
purpose of increasing the number of Directors to the number, or of summoning a general meeting
of the Company, but for no other purpose.
96. A resolution in writing, signed by at least two thirds of the Directors for the time being entitled to
receive notice of a Meeting of the Directors shall be as valid and effectual as if it has been passed
as a meeting of the Directors duly convened and held.
97. It shall be permissible for the Directors to hold a meeting by Teleconference and any resolution
arrived thereat shall be valid and effectual as if it has been passed at a meeting of the Directors
duly convened and held.
Borrowing by Directors
98. The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, and to borrow money,
and to mortgage of change its undertakings, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof,
and to issue debentures, debenture stock, and other securities, whether outright or as security for
any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.
Notice
119. A notice may be given by the Company to any Member, either personally, or by sending it by post
to him to his registered address or, if he has no registered address within Nigeria, to the address,
if any, within Nigeria, supplied by him to the Company for the giving of notice to him. Where a
notice is sent by post, service of the notice shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing,
prepaying and posting a letter containing the notice and to have been effected, in the case of a
Page 85
APPENDIX II - FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
notice to a Member, at the time of which the letter containing the notice is posted, and in any other
case at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Indemnity
120. Every Director, Managing Director, Auditor, Secretary, Agent or other Officers for the time being
of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability incurred
by him in defending any proceedings, whether civil or critical, in which judgement is given in his
favour, or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application under the Act in which
relief is granted to him by the Court.
Page 86
APPENDIX II – FURTHER INFORMATION ON DIAMOND BANK PLC
Copies of the following documents may be inspected at the offices of Union Capital Markets Limited, 7 Fatai
Durosinmi Etti Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, during normal business hours on any business day, until the
Effective Date:
Page 87
APPENDIX III - PROFORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Proforma Assumptions
Basis of Preparation
― Information used are partly based on most recent data from Access Bank and Diamond Bank
― Goodwill/Capital reserve has been derived from the difference between fair value of consideration to be
paid by Access Bank and net asset of Diamond Bank on acquisition
― Carrying value of Diamond Bank's assets has been assumed to be at fair value for the sake of Goodwill
computation in this forecast
Political Environment
There will not be adverse changes in the political and economic environments of Nigeria such that will adversely
affect the operations of Access Bank and Diamond Bank and threaten the going concern of the combined entity.
The general elections which will be coming up on 16th February, 2019 would proceed with minimal disruptions to
business thus strengthening the assumptions of political stability during this forecast period.
Management
Regulatory environment
It is assumed that the current CBN monetary policies would be sustained up to the forecast period.
The synergic effect of the combined entities would have significant effect on the earnings capabilities of the
Enlarged Access Bank. In addition, the success of the combination will produce strong signalling effect on the
customers of both banks.
Page 88
APPENDIX III - PROFORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
B. Proforma Statement of Comprehensive Income forecasted for financial year ended December 2019
Page 89
APPENDIX III - PROFORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Assets
Cash and balances with banks 1,425,974,791 660,100,000 (23,160,389) 2,062,914,402
Investment under management 21,320,190 - 21,320,190
Derivative financial assets 126,371,605 - 126,371,605
Loans and advances 2,176,837,675 605,400,000 2,782,237,675
Investment securities 855,040,220 263,100,000 1,118,140,220
Other assets 128,917,819 36,323,740 165,241,559
Property and equipment 104,836,846 72,275,823 177,112,669
Intangible assets 9,513,241 4,124,177 28,381,947 42,019,365
Liabilities
Deposits from financial 546,128,045 25,500,000 571,628,045
institutions
Deposits from customers 2,722,289,175 1,332,200,000 4,054,489,175
Derivative financial liabilities 4,529,238 - 4,529,238
Debt securities issued 276,303,000 54,200,000 330,503,000
Interest-bearing borrowings 564,586,222 120,400,000 684,986,222
Other liabilities 177,884,510 41,770,392 219,654,902
Equity
Share capital and share 212,438,802 146,113,169 47,644,229 260,083,031
premium
Reserves 356,986,006 (70,883,561) 32,806,937 389,792,943
Page 90
APPENDIX III - PROFORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Pre Scheme taking the effect, the shareholding of the Parties are as follows:
Access Bank
Diamond Bank
Upon the Scheme taking effect, in accordance with the terms and conditions stated in the Scheme, the ordinary
shares of the Enlarged Access Bank will be beneficially held as follows:
Page 91
APPENDIX IV - STATUTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
A. RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
The Boards of Access Bank and Diamond Bank have taken all reasonable care to ensure that the facts stated
and opinions expressed in this Scheme Document with regard to Access Bank and Diamond Bank
respectively are both fair and accurate and confirm having made all reasonable enquiries that to the best of
their knowledge and belief, as at the date of this Scheme Document, no material facts concerning their
respective companies have been omitted from this document. The Boards hereby accept responsibility for
the information provided.
Solicitor’s opinion on the claims and litigation against Access Bank Plc
Access Bank Plc. is, in its ordinary course of business sued as defendant in Seven Hundred and Thirty-Seven
(737) cases. The total monetary claim against the Bank is N1,848,635,765,053.95 (One Trillion, Eight Hundred
and Forty-Eight Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand,
Fifty-Three Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo)2 .
In the context of the contemplated transaction, Access Bank’s Solicitors have set a materiality threshold at
One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) (the “Materiality Threshold). Thirty-four cases fall within the Materiality
Threshold. The aggregate claims in the cases within the Materiality Threshold represent over Ninety-Five
percent (95%) of the value of all the claims against Access Bank. The total value of claims against Access
Bank in the said Thirty-Four (34) cases is approximately N1,772,240,818,681.45 (One Trillion, Seven Hundred
and Seventy-Two Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Million, Eight Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Six
Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, Forty-Five Kobo) and US$ 91,347,054.00 (Ninety-One Million, Three
Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Fifty-Four United States Dollars) excluding interests and costs, which
may be awarded by the courts after the final resolution of each matter.
Based on the assessment of the information contained in the case files provided for their review, their
experience in litigation matters and understanding of the disposition of the Nigerian courts in the award of
damages and other claims, Access Bank’s Solicitors believe that the contingent liability that would arise
from the cases, where same are diligently defended by Access Bank would not have a material adverse effect
on the proposed Scheme. In arriving at this opinion, Access Bank’s Solicitors have also discountenanced
frivolous and exaggerated claims.
The Boards of Access Bank are also of the opinion that none of the aforementioned cases is likely to have
any material adverse effect on the proposed Scheme, and are not aware of any other pending and/or
threatened claim or litigation involving Access Bank.
Solicitor’s Opinion on the Claims and Litigation against Diamond Bank Plc
Diamond Bank is currently involved as a party in different capacities in numerous court cases. During the
course of the due diligence exercise, out of the 979 (Nine Hundred and Seventy-Nine) cases reviewed, 164
(One Hundred and Sixty-Four) are above the N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) materiality
threshold set for the purpose of our review and this opinion. These actions are at various stages before
various courts and a vast majority of the cases are still at the preliminary stages where the pleadings are yet
to be closed. As at the date of this Opinion, in terms of value, significance, potential and probable merit, and
other factors, Diamond Bank’s ability to meet its obligations in relation the Scheme, in our view, is not
adversely affected.
2 In cases containing monetary claims denominated in United State Dollars, Access Bank converted the claims to
equivalent Naira value at the prevailing exchange rate at the time the action was instituted.
Page 92
APPENDIX IV – STATUTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Concerning corporate banking and commercial matters, majority of the causes of action focus on breach of
credit facility agreements, debt recovery and other contracts between the Bank and its customers. The
aggregate claim (above the materiality threshold) against Diamond Bank for commercial litigation cases
reviewed is approximately N254,898,323,083 (Two Hundred and Fifty Four Billion, Eight Hundred and
Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Eighty-Three Naira) while the
aggregate claim (above the materiality threshold) for the corporate banking matters is N1,055,806,666 (One
Billion, Fifty-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Naira) and
US$86,40,000 (Eighty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand United States Dollars).
Concerning other civil litigation matters, majority of the causes of action in the suits are based
predominantly on negligence, fundamental rights enforcement, possessory claims, and trespass and land
ownership. The aggregate claims (above the materiality threshold) against the bank under this category is
approximately N95,392,422,505.3 (Ninety-Five Billion, Three Hundred and Ninety-Two Million, Four
Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand, Five Hundred and Five Naira, Three Kobo).
The solicitors to Diamond Bank are of the opinion that there is no material litigation pending against the
bank or to the knowledge of its officials, threatened that either adversely affects the bank’s ability to observe
its duties and obligations in relation to the transaction or restrains the bank from undertaking the
transaction.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
The following agreement(s) have been entered into by the Parties and are considered material to the Scheme:
1. Financial Advisory Services Agreement executed between Access Bank Plc and Chapel Hill Denham
Advisory Limited.
2. Memorandum of Agreement dated December 16, 2018 between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank
Plc.
1. Financial Advisory Services Agreement executed between Diamond Bank Plc and Union Capital
Markets Limited.
2. Memorandum of Agreement dated December 16, 2018 between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank
Plc.
D. CONSENTS
The following have given and have not withdrawn their written consents to the issue of this Scheme
Document with the inclusion of copies of their reports (where applicable) and references to their names in
the form and context in which they appear herein:
Page 93
APPENDIX IV – STATUTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Page 94
APPENDIX IV – STATUTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Page 95
APPENDIX IV – STATUTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION
E. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. There is no agreement, arrangement, or understanding whereby the beneficial ownership of any assets,
liabilities and undertakings of Access Bank or Diamond Bank to be issued pursuant to the Scheme will
be transferred to any other person.
2. Except as disclosed herein, the directors of Access Bank and Diamond Bank have not been informed of
any holding representing 5% or more of the issued share capital of Diamond Bank.
3. Except as otherwise disclosed in this document, there are no founders, management or deferred shares
or any options outstanding in Access Bank and Diamond Bank.
4. Except as otherwise disclosed in this document, there are no material services agreements between
Access Bank and Diamond Bank and any of their Directors and employees other than in the ordinary
course of business.
5. Except as otherwise disclosed in this document, there are no contracts which are or may be material,
entered into Access Bank and Diamond Bank with other parties other than in the course of ordinary
business.
6. The costs, charges and expenses of and incidental to the Scheme are payable by Access Bank and
Diamond Bank respectively.
Page 96
APPENDIX V - NOTICE OF COURT- ORDERED MEETING OF ACCESS BANK PLC
IN THE MATTER OF
THE INVESTMENTS AND SECURITIES ACT NO. 29 2007 AND THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004
AND
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER PART XII OF THE INVESTMENTS SECURITIES ACT
AND
IN RE:
ACCESS BANK PLC (RC 125384) …1ST APPLICANT
MEETING OF THE HOLDERS OF THE FULLY PAID ORDINARY SHARES OF ACCESS BANK PLC
Notice Is Hereby Given that by an Order of the Federal High Court, sitting at Lagos (hereinafter called the Court)
dated the 24th day of January, 2019 made under the hand of the Honourable Justice O.O. Oguntoyinbo in the
above matter, the Court has directed that a meeting of the holders of the fully paid up ordinary shares of Access
Bank Plc (hereinafter called the Company) be convened and held for the purpose of considering and if thought fit,
approving (with or without modification) a Scheme of Merger between the Company and Diamond Bank Plc (the
Scheme) and matters connected therewith. The Scheme is explained in detail in the Explanatory Statement on
Pages 14 to 23 of the Scheme Document.
The Meeting will be held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, 6/8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria
Island, Lagos on the 5th day of March 2019 at 10:00 am, or so soon thereafter, at which place and time all the
aforesaid shareholders are requested to attend. A copy of the Scheme Document is being sent to shareholders.
At the meeting, the following resolutions will be proposed and if thought fit passed as special resolutions of the
Company:
1. “That the Scheme as contained in the Scheme Document, dated the 24th day of January 2019, a printed copy of which
has been submitted to the meeting and, for purposes of identification, endorsed by the Chairman, be and is hereby
approved; and that the Directors be and are hereby authorised to consent to any modification of the Scheme that the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and or the Court shall deem fit to
impose and approve.”
2. “That the Directors be and are hereby authorised to accept the transfer of all the assets and liabilities and undertakings
including real properties and intellectual property rights of Diamond Bank Plc upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in the Scheme Document, without any further act or deed.”
3. “That as consideration for the transfer of all assets, liabilities, and unertakings, including real properties and
intellectual property rights of Diamond Bank Plc, the Directors be and are hereby authorised to”
- “allot the Scheme Shares to Diamond Bank Shareholders upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in
the Scheme Document without any further act or deed.”
- “pay the sum of N1.00 (One Naira) per share for each issued and paid-up Diamond Bank ordinary share held at
the date of the Court-Ordered Meeting.”
Page 97
4. “That the Solicitors of the Company be and are hereby directed to seek orders of the Court sanctioning the Scheme
and the foregoing resolutions, as well as such other incidental, consequential or supplemental orders as are necessary
or required to give full effect to the Scheme.”
5. “That the Directors be and are hereby authorised to take such actions as may be necessary to give effect to the Scheme
including but not limited to the listing of the Scheme Shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.”
By the said Order, the Court has appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mrs. Mosun Belo - Olusoga,
or failing her, Dr. (Mrs) Ajoritsedere Awosika a director of the Company or failing them both, any other director
appointed in their stead by the shareholders present at the meeting to act as Chairman of the said meeting and has
directed the Chairman of the meeting to report the results thereof to the Court.
Voting at the meeting will be by poll. Shareholders may vote in person or they may appoint another person,
whether a shareholder or not to attend and vote in their stead.
In addition to the questions that Shareholders can ask at the Meeting, the Shareholders may submit questions on
the Scheme to the Company prior to the date of the Meeting. All such questions must be submitted to the Company
Secretary on or before 5pm on Monday March 4, 2019.
A proxy form is being sent to each shareholder. In the case of joint shareholders, the vote of the senior holder who
tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
holders, and for this purpose seniority will be determined by the order in which the names appear on the register
of members of the Company.
It is requested that duly executed and stamped proxy forms (together with any power of attorney or other
authority under which the proxy form is signed, or a notarized copy of such power of attorney or other authority)
be lodged at the office of the Registrar, as shown on the proxy form, not less than 24 hours before the time
appointed for the meeting.
Please note that the lodging of a proxy form does not prevent you from attending the meeting and voting in person
should you so wish. However, in such instances, your proxy will not be entitled to attend the meeting or vote
thereat.
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof who has not received a copy of
the Scheme Document within 14 days of the date of this notice can obtain copy of same from the Registrar of Access
Bank Plc, United Securities Limited, Plot 09, Ahmadu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Scheme will be subject to the subsequent approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central
Bank of Nigeria and the sanction of the Federal High Court.
Page 98
APPENDIX VI - NOTICE OF COURT- ORDERED MEETING OF DIAMOND BANK PLC
IN THE MATTER OF
THE INVESTMENTS AND SECURITIES ACT NO. 29 2007 AND THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 2004
AND
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION UNDER PART XII OF THE INVESTMENTS AND SECURITIES ACT
AND
IN RE:
1ST APPLICANT
DIAMOND BANK PLC (RC 161996)
MEETING OF THE HOLDERS OF THE FULLY PAID ORDINARY SHARES OF DIAMOND BANK PLC
Notice Is Hereby Given that by an Order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos (hereinafter called the Court),
dated the 24th day of January 2019 made under the hand of the Honourable Justice O. O. Oguntoyinbo in the above
matter, the Court has directed that a meeting of the holders of the fully paid up ordinary shares of Diamond Bank
Plc (hereinafter called the Company) be convened and held for the purpose of considering and if thought fit,
approving (with or without modification) a Scheme of Merger between the Company and Access Bank Plc (the
Scheme). The Scheme is explained in detail in the Explanatory Statement contained on Pages 14 to 23 of the Scheme
Document.
The meeting will be held at Grand Banquet Hall, Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos
on the 5th day of March, 2019 at 10:00 am, or so soon thereafter, at which place and time all the aforesaid
shareholders are requested to attend. A copy of the Scheme Document is being sent to shareholders.
At the meeting, the following sub-joined resolutions will be proposed and, if thought fit, passed as special
resolutions of the Company:
1. “That the Scheme as contained in the Scheme Document dated the 24th day of January, 2019 a printed copy of which
has been submitted to the meeting and, for purposes of identification, endorsed by the Chairman, be and is hereby
approved; and that the Directors be and are hereby authorised to consent to any modification of the Scheme Document
that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the Court shall deem fit
to impose and approve.”
2. “That the transfer of all the assets, liabilities and undertakings, including real properties and intellectual property
rights of the Company to Access Bank Plc, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Scheme
Document, be and is hereby approved without any further act or deed.”
3. “That all legal proceedings, claims and litigation matters pending or contemplated by or against the Company be
continued by or against Access Bank Plc after the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court.”
4. “That in consideration of (2) above, all shareholders of the Company shall, after the Scheme is sanctioned by the Court,
be allotted 2 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in Access Bank Plc “(credited as fully paid) in exchange for every 7
ordinary shares of the Company of 50 kobo each (‘the Share Consideration’); and be paid N1.00 for every share held
in the Company (‘the Cash Consideration’) within 10 Business Days of the Court sanction of the Scheme.”
5. “That the entire share capital of the Company be cancelled and the Company be dissolved without winding up.”
Page 99
6. “That the Solicitors of the Company be and are hereby directed to seek orders of the Court sanctioning the Scheme
and the foregoing resolutions, as well as such other incidental, consequential or supplemental orders as are
necessary or required to give full effect to the Scheme.”
7. “That the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised to take such other actions and steps as may be
necessary or required to give full effect to the Scheme.”
By the said Order, the Court has appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Dele Babade, or failing
him, Mr. Chris Ubosi , a director of the Company or failing them both, any other director appointed in their stead
by the shareholders present at the meeting to act as Chairman of the said meeting and has directed the Chairman
of the meeting to report the results thereof to the Court.
Voting at the meeting will be by poll. Shareholders may vote in person or they may appoint a proxy (whether a
shareholder or not) to attend the meeting and vote in their stead.
In addition to the questions that Shareholders can ask at the Meeting, the Shareholders may submit questions on
the Scheme to the Company prior to the date of the Meeting. All such questions must be submitted to the Company
Secretary on or before 5pm on Monday, 4th March, 2019.
A proxy form is being sent to each shareholder. In the case of joint shareholders, the vote of the senior holder who
tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint
shareholders, and for this purpose, seniority will be determined by the order in which the names of the joint
shareholders appear in the register of members of the Company, in respect of the joint shareholding.
It is requested that duly executed and stamped proxy forms (together with any power of attorney or other authority
under which the proxy form is signed, or a notarized copy of such power of attorney or other authority) be lodged
at the office of the Registrar, as shown on the Proxy Form, not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the
meeting. Please note that the lodging of a proxy form does not prevent you from attending the meeting and voting
in person should you so wish. However, in such instances, your proxy will not be entitled to attend the meeting or
vote thereat.
A member entitled to attend and vote at the meeting who has not received a copy of the Scheme Document within
14 days of the date of this notice can obtain copy of same from the Registrar of Diamond Bank Plc, Centurion
Registrars Limited at 33B/C, Cameron Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Closure of Register of Members
The Register of Members will be closed on February 19, 2019 for the purpose of determining attendance at the
Court-ordered Meeting. Accordingly, changes to - and entries in – the Register of Members of the Company after
that date shall be disregarded for purposes of the meeting
The Scheme will be subject to the subsequent approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central
Bank of Nigeria and the sanction of the Federal High Court.
Templars
The Octagon (5th Floor)
13 A A.J. Marinho Drive
Victoria Island, Lagos
Page 100
APPENDIX VII - PROXY FORM – ACCESS BANK PLC
PROXY FORM
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
Access Bank Plc 1. “That the Scheme as contained in the Scheme Document, dated the 24th day of January 2019,
Court-Ordered Meeting to be held at Balmoral Convention Centre,
a printed copy of which has been submitted to the meeting and, for purposes of identification,
Federal Palace Hotel, 6/8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos on
endorsed by the Chairman, be and is hereby approved; and that the Directors be and are hereby
March 5, 2019 at 10:00am.
authorised to consent to any modification of the Scheme that the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the Court shall deem fit to impose
I/We (Block capitals please)
and approve.”
…………………………………………………………………………
2. "That the Directors be and are hereby authorised to accept the transfer of all the assets and
being a member / members of Access Bank Plc hereby appoint (Block
liabilities and undertakings including real properties and intellectual property rights of
capitals please)
Diamond Bank Plc upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Scheme
………………...………………………………………………………
Document, without any further act or deed."
3. "That as consideration for the transfer of all assets, liabilities, and unertakings, including real
or failing him, the Chairman of the Meeting as my/our proxy to act and
properties and intellectual property rights of Diamond Bank Plc, the Directors be and are
vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Court-Ordered Meeting of
hereby authorised to"
Access Bank Plc to be held at 10:00 am on March 5, 2019 or at any
- "allot the Scheme Shares to Diamond Bank Shareholders upon the terms and subject to
adjournment thereof.
the conditions set out in the Scheme Document without any further act or deed."
- “pay the sum of N1.00 (One Naira) per share for each issued and paid-up Diamond Bank
Dated this ….............…..day of…………………………2019
ordinary share held at the date of the Court-Ordered Meeting.”
4. "That the Solicitors of the Company be and are hereby directed to seek orders of the Court
Shareholder’s
sanctioning the Scheme and the foregoing resolutions, as well as such other incidental,
Signature……………………………..……………….......………
consequential or supplemental orders as are necessary or required to give full effect to the
Scheme."
5. "That the Directors be and are hereby authorised to take such actions as may be necessary to
give effect to the Scheme including but not limited to the listing of the Scheme Shares on the
Nigerian Stock Exchange."
Please indicate how you wish your votes to be cast on the resolution set out above
by indicating “x” in the appropriate space. Unless, otherwise instructed the proxy
will vote or abstain from voting at his discretion
NOTE:
1 A member (shareholder) who is unable to attend the Court-Ordered Meeting is allowed by law to vote by proxy and the above proxy form has been prepared
to enable you to exercise your right to vote in case you cannot personally attend the meeting.
2 Following the normal practice, the Chairman of the meeting has been entered on the form to ensure that someone will be at the meeting to act as your proxy,
but if you wish, you may insert in the blank space (marked **) the name of any person, whether a member of Access Bank Plc or not, who will attend the
meeting and vote on your behalf.
3 Voting at the meeting will be by poll.
4 Please sign and post the proxy form so as to reach “The Company Secretary, Access Bank Plc, Plot 999c, Danmole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos” not less than
24 hours before the time appointed for the meeting and ensure that the proxy form is dated, signed and stamped by the Commissioner for Stamp Duties. If
executed by a corporate body, the proxy form should be sealed with the Common Seal.
5 The member (shareholder) or his/her duly appointed proxy must detach and produce the Admission Card to obtain entrance to the meeting.
6 The completion and despatch of the proxy form does not prevent the attendance of the member should he/she become free to attend in person.
7 The details in the Scheme of Merger provide information on the material features of the proposed Scheme and the general effect thereof upon the rights of
existing shareholders of Access Bank Plc whilst also providing information essential to a shareholder’s appraisal of the action to be taken with regards to the
Scheme.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before posting the above form, please tear off this part and retain it for admission to the meeting
Account number
Signature ………………………………………………………………......……......……................................
THIS CARD IS TO BE SIGNED AT THE VENUE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COMPANY SECRETARY.
Page 101
APPENDIX VIII - PROXY FORM – DIAMOND BANK PLC
PROXY FORM
SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
Diamond Bank Plc 1. "That the Scheme as contained in the Scheme Document dated the 24th day of January, 2019, a
Court-Ordered Meeting to be held at Grand Banquet Hall, Civic
printed copy of which has been submitted to the meeting and, for purposes of identification,
Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos on March
endorsed by the Chairman, be and is hereby approved; and that the Directors be and are hereby
5, 2019 at 10:00am.
authorised to consent to any modification of the Scheme Document that the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and/or the Court shall deem fit to
I/We (Block capitals please)
impose and approve."
………………………………………………………………………
2. "That the transfer of all the assets, liabilities and undertakings, including real properties and
being a member / members of Diamond Bank Plc hereby appoint
intellectual property rights of the Company to Access Bank Plc, upon the terms and subject to
(Block capitals please)
the conditions set out in the Scheme Document, be and is hereby approved without any further
………………...……………………………………………………… act or deed."
3. "That all legal proceedings, claims and litigation matters pending or contemplated by or against
or failing him, the Chairman of the Meeting as my/our proxy to act and the Company be continued by or against Access Bank Plc after the Scheme is sanctioned by the
vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Court-Ordered Meeting of Court."
Diamond Bank Plc to be held at 10:00 am on March 5, 2019 or at any 4. "That in consideration of (2) above, all shareholders of the Company shall, after the Scheme is
adjournment thereof. sanctioned by the Court, be allotted 2 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each in Access Bank Plc (credited
as fully paid) in exchange for every 7 ordinary shares of the Company of 50 kobo each ('the Share
Dated this ….............…..day of…………………………2019 Consideration'); and be paid N1.00 for every share held in the Company ('the Cash
Consideration') within 10 Business Days of the Court sanction of the Scheme."
Shareholder’s 5. "That the entire share capital of the Company be cancelled and the Company be dissolved without
Signature……………………………..……………….......……… winding up."
6. "That the Solicitors of the Company be and are hereby directed to seek orders of the Court
sanctioning the Scheme and the foregoing resolutions, as well as such other incidental,
consequential or supplemental orders as are necessary or required to give full effect to the
Scheme."
7. "That the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised to take such other actions and
steps as may be necessary or required to give full effect to the Scheme."
Please indicate how you wish your votes to be cast on the resolution set out above
by indicating “x” in the appropriate space. Unless, otherwise instructed the proxy
will vote or abstain from voting at his discretion
NOTE:
1 A member (shareholder) who is unable to attend the Court-Ordered Meeting is allowed by law to vote by proxy and the above proxy form has been prepared
to enable you to exercise your right to vote in case you cannot personally attend the meeting.
2 Following the normal practice, the Chairman of the meeting has been entered on the form to ensure that someone will be at the meeting to act as your proxy,
but if you wish, you may insert in the blank space (marked **) the name of any person, whether a member of Diamond Bank Plc or not, who will attend the
meeting and vote on your behalf.
3 Voting at the meeting will be by poll.
4 Please sign and post the proxy form so as to reach “The Company Secretary, Diamond Bank Plc, PGD’s Place, Plot 4, Block V, BIS Way, Oniru Estate, Victoria
Island, Lagos” not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the meeting and ensure that the proxy form is dated, signed and stamped by the
Commissioner for Stamp Duties. If executed by a corporate body, the proxy form should be sealed with the Common Seal.
5 The member (shareholder) or his/her duly appointed proxy must detach and produce the Admission Card to obtain entrance to the meeting.
6 The completion and despatch of the proxy form does not prevent the attendance of the member should he/she become free to attend in person.
7 The details in the Scheme of Merger provide information on the material features of the proposed Scheme and the general effect thereof upon the rights of
existing shareholders of Diamond Bank Plc whilst also providing information essential to a shareholder’s appraisal of the action to be taken with regards to
the Scheme.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before posting the above form, please tear off this part and retain it for admission to the meeting
Account number
Signature ………………………………………………………………......……......……................................
THIS CARD IS TO BE SIGNED AT THE VENUE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE COMPANY SECRETARY.
Page 102