Central Bank Okays Zenith Bank’s Holdco Status

The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved in principle for Zenith Bank to operate as a financial holding company.

In a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Michael Otu, on Friday, the bank revealed plans to change its organisational structure.

With this change, the organisation will have a banking subsidiary along with other subsidiaries in the financial services sector.

Part of the statement read, “The CBN has granted approval-in-principle for Zenith Bank to operate a non-operating financial holding company structure.

“Furthermore, the CBN approved Mr Jim Ovia as the Chairman of Zenith Holdco Plc (in-formation and for Mr Jim Ovia to also continue as the Chairman of Zenith Bank until the commencement of Zenith Holdco.”

This move will increase the number of banks operating as financial holding companies in the country.