Fidelity Bank crosses CBN capital threshold after N259 billion private placement

Fidelity Bank raised N259 billion through a private placement, taking its eligible capital to N564.5 billion and above the Central Bank of Nigeria's N500 billion requirement for commercial banks with international authorisation.

The placement followed N175.85 billion raised through a public offer and rights issue in 2024. Before the latest transaction, the bank reported eligible capital of N305.5 billion and a N194.5 billion gap to the regulatory minimum.

Fresh equity changes the earnings test

The placement was conducted under shareholder authority to issue as many as 20 billion ordinary shares. Regulatory approval is important because only qualifying paid-up capital counts toward the CBN threshold.

Crossing the minimum resolves the immediate licence question, but the larger equity base raises a second challenge: management must deploy the money without weakening underwriting standards or diluting returns. Loan growth, asset quality and return on equity will show whether the capital creates durable value.

Sources

Fidelity Bank, “Update on Bank Recapitalisation” (6 January 2026); Fidelity Bank 2025 audited financial statements; Nigerian Exchange company disclosures.