Actis & CDC group sold 14.79% diamond bank shares to Kunoch holdings

By Etuka Sunday

Two major share holders of diamond bank Actis, and CDC Group firms, have   sold their 14.79% stake in diamond bank Plc to Kunoch holdings.

According to a statement from the bank, Kunoch is now the authentic owners of the shares.The statement read: “Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank” or the “Bank”) is pleased to announce that Kunoch Holdings (“Kunoch”) has successfully completed the purchase of Actis DB Holdings Limited, a company which holds Diamond Bank shares, from Actis LLP and CDC Group Plc. Actis DB Holdings Limited (“Actis DB”) currently holds 14.79% of the issued share capital of Diamond Bank”Funds managed by Actis, a private equity investor specializing in investments in emerging markets, acquired a significant equity stake in the Bank in 2007.

These funds are now coming to the end of their closed end period and, accordingly, Actis is realizing its investment in the Bank.   Over the years, positive contributions by Actis, other institutional investors and the new management team of the Bank have created additional value for all Diamond Bank’s shareholders. Peter Schmid, Actis head of Private Equity commented: “We have worked with Diamond Bank to build a strong franchise over the last seven years. During the period of our investment, Diamond Bank underwent substantial change and is now recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria as one of the systemically important banks in the industry.

The Bank has a strong and capable management team to take it to the  next stage of its development and Actis wishes Alex and his team well in this next phase.”

Dr. Alex Otti, group managing director of Diamond Bank said: “We are pleased to have worked with Actis over the last seven years, and are excited about the next stage of the Bank’s development.

Diamond Bank is one of the leading retail banks in Nigeria, with exciting growth prospects in the retail segment of the Nigerian economy as well as a strong position in the Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and corporate segments of the economy.

Diamond Bank has been described as one of the fastest growing Banks over the past three years in the Tier II category and potentially the next Bank that would move to the Tier I category.

The Bank is currently undertaking a Rights Issue to raise an additional N50.3 billion which is expected to position the Bank to further enable it to execute its strategy going forward.