Union Bank of Nigeria has announced to its shareholders and in extension the general public that its ordinary shares of NGN4.10 is now open for subscription.
The bank in an official statement to the Nigerian Stock Exchange disclosed that the acceptance list opens for the next one month.
The statement reads:
”Union Bank of Nigeria Plc – Rights Issue Dealing Members are hereby notified that the Rights Issue of 12,133,646,995 Ordinary Shares of N0.50 each at N4.10 per share of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has opened for subscription.
Acceptance list opens: Wednesday, 20 September 2017
Acceptance list closes: Monday, 30 October 2017”
Union Bank is a large commercial bank, serving individuals, small and medium-sized companies, as well as large corporations and organizations. In July 2009, it was rated the 556th largest bank in the world and the 14th largest bank in Africa. As of June 2012, the bank’s asset base was estimated at US$6.784 billion (NGN:1.049 trillion). The shareholders’ equity at that time was estimated at US$1.22 billion (NGN:188.4 billion).
The bank was founded in 1917 as Colonial Bank. In 1925, Barclays Bank acquired Colonial Bank, changing the bank’s name to Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas) or Barclays Bank (DCO). In 1969, Barclays Bank DCO was incorporated in Nigeria, as Barclays Bank of Nigeria Limited, to comply with new banking laws enacted in 1968.
In 1971, the shares of the bank stock were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. In the same year, 8.33% of the bank’s shares were offered to Nigerians. The following year, the Federal Government of Nigeria acquired 51.67% ownership of the bank, leaving Barclays Bank Plc. of London with 40% ownership. In 1979, that 40% was sold to Nigerian individuals and businesses to comply with then recently enacted banking and investment laws. The bank changed its name to Union Bank of Nigeria Plc,to reflect its new ownership structure.
In 1993, the Federal Government of Nigeria completely divested its ownership in the bank. Subsequently, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. acquired the former Universal Trust Bank Plc and Broad Bank Limited. It also absorbed its former subsidiary Union Merchant Bank Limited.
