Access Bank is set to add Diamond Bank’s portfolio to its assets in the next few months, according to information obtained from those involved in the deal.
Discussions on the acquisition are on, according to sources, who said the fusion is set for the first quarter of next year, by both financial institutions have reached an agreement in broad terms on the acquisition, what is left is the valuation of assets, with a view to determining the level of compensation and systems’ integration.
It was learnt that the development leading to the impending acquisition was triggered by Diamond Bank directors who approached Access Bank for intervention in a bid to stave off a possible regulatory intervention that could lead to the withdrawal of the lender’s operating licence in the light of the bank’s depleting capital adequacy ratio on account of a huge Non Performing Loans (NPLs) portfolio put at over N150 billion.
Already, Access Bank directors have examined the proposal and after series of meetings and evaluations, accepted to acquire the entity. However, the agreement so far reached, it was understood, will not alter the name of Access Bank nor its management structure.
“It’s a complete acquisition and not a merger,” a source, who asked not to be identified, but who is familiar with the transaction, said, adding that one of the major considerations that swayed Access Bank’s directors in accepting the offer was the large branch network of the lender.
“It’s burgeoning NPLs, however, was of serious concern to Access Bank and almost becoming a disincentive, but it has been addressed,” the source added.
