2026-01-02 06:00:00
According to Punch, FirstBank says it has completed a ₦500 billion capital raise, positioning it to meet the CBN’s new minimum capital thresholds and to compete more aggressively in a tighter regulatory environment.
The fundraising is being framed as a resilience move—strengthening buffers and supporting growth—while also sending a signalling effect to investors ahead of the broader recapitalisation race across the sector.
Market watchers say the milestone could influence peers’ timelines and pricing, as more banks line up with rights issues, private placements and other instruments.
Premium Times reports FirstBank “successfully completes ₦500bn capital raise,” noting the wider recapitalisation push and investor attention. The Sun similarly says the bank has “met the ₦500 billion minimum capital base required by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” highlighting the compliance angle.
Echotitbits take: Completing early matters—capital raising gets tougher when several banks are in the market at once. Watch whether FirstBank’s move shifts competitive pressure to mid‑tier lenders, and whether pricing dynamics start to favour banks with stronger retail funding and clearer growth narratives.
Source: The Punch — January 2, 2026 (https://punchng.com/firstbank-completes-n500bn-capital-raise/)
The Punch 2026-01-02
Photo Credit: The Punch
