According to Nairametrics reporting, Sterling Financial Holdings Company has confirmed the full recapitalization of its two flagship subsidiaries, Sterling Bank and AltBank. This move aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing drive to strengthen the capital base of the country’s financial institutions. The successful capital injection is expected to enhance the group’s lending capacity and improve its resilience against macroeconomic shocks.
The recapitalization was achieved through a mix of internal capital generation and strategic investment, positioning the bank as a major player in the evolving “Alternative Banking” sector. Executives at Sterling HoldCo noted that the move ensures the bank is well-capitalized to support the government’s N1 trillion economy goal. This development has already triggered a positive response in the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
The Champion Newspaper validates the claim, stating “Sterling HoldCo confirms full recapitalisation of the Alternative” banking arms. ThisDay also reflects on this trend, noting that “foreign investor confidence in Nigeria hits five-year high” as banks successfully navigate the new capital requirements.
Echotitbits take: Sterling is the first of the mid-tier banks to announce a “done deal” on the new capital requirements. This puts pressure on competitors to speed up their own fundraising rounds. For customers, this usually means more aggressive marketing of loan products as the bank looks to deploy its new capital.
Source: Nairametrics – https://nairametrics.com/2026/02/17/sterling-holdco-confirms-full-recapitalisation-of-sterling-bank-altbank/, February 17, 2026
Photo credit: Sterling Bank
