Reflecting the decline in the nation’s economic activities in the second quarter, the total assets of banks fell by N186 billion while lending to the economy fell by 1.1 percent. This is in sharp contrast to development in the first quarter, when total assets grew by 4.4 per cent and lending to economy increased by 4.38 per cent.

The current financial year looks quite promising for United Bank for Africa [UBA] but can the bank maintain the high growth momentum to full year? The bank’s profit records show a pattern of rise and fall and a big rise may be possible for the bank this year if the second quarter growth rate is sustained in the second half of the year.

The Board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, IOSCO has reinforced its position as a reference point for financial services and markets regulation in the globe. The Board which during the two-day meeting in Toronto early this week, focused on three sets of activities in key priority areas as identified in the IOSCO 2020 Strategic Direction.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has banned banks from converting funds in dormant accounts to income. Consequently, the apex bank directed that banks that in the last five years converted such funds to income should reclassify them as deposits. The ban was contained in the Guidelines on the Management of Dormant Accounts and Other Unclaimed funds by banks and other financial institutions in Nigeria, released on Friday by the CBN.

Bank of Industry ((BoI) has commissioned a N44 million micro-grid solar system in Bisanti, a remote community in Niger State as part of strategic moves to promote small scale enterprises in the country. The 24KW micro-grid solar electrification system, which is billed to be replicated in six communities in a pilot phase across the country, is part of the bank’s Solar Energy Partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

FMDQ OTC Plc has recorded N93.9 trillion market turnover for the eight month period ended August 31, 2015.The figure represents turnover on all products traded on the FMDQ secondary market as well as trade executed between Dealing Members, Dealing Members & Clients, and Dealing Members & the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A former governor of Ogun State and Chairman of Kresta Laurel, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, narrates the elevator company’s success story over the past 25 years.

Mr. Bassey James, an economist, is the Chief Executive Officer, Bascon Nigeria Limited, Telecom Master Limited and the founder, Southern Youths Development Forum. He speaks on the 2016 Budget being a tool for diversifying the economy, pay cut for senators, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) management of the Naira, the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to head the petroleum ministry and what government can do to boost industrial development in Nigeria

CHAIRMAN and Chief Executive Officer of Solid Mines Ltd, Mr. Frank Ekperigin, in this interview, wants Nigeria to see the present economic crisis as an opportunity to harness its potentials in the mining sector. To achieve that, he urges Nigerians to support President Buhari’s efforts at diversifying the economy. He also speaks on how government at all levels can become self sufficient.

The First Empire Group has urged government to partner real estate companies to develop housing schemes in the country to alleviate the suffering of the masses and address the over 17 million housing deficit.