THE National Pension Commission (PenCom) has requested for N113.0 billion for Federal Government retirees in 2017. This figure indicates a huge shortfall of N62.8 billion, or 55.6 per cent gap, in allocation provided by the Federal Government in the 2017 budget estimates.

The statistics though still high shows a reduction in ATM withdrawals from 2015, the truth is that this initiative will not change consumer behaviour overnight. It is a process. 15 years ago, ATMs or debit cards were not even in use but today they have become a way of life. We project a steady growth in the migration to alternative channels as they become more stable and reliable with new technology.

INVESTORS may be bracing up for another scorch-earth returns terrain in equities as companies begin to sound another round of profit warnings for full year 2016 results more of which are expected to be coming out from this week.

There are reasons that will make investors to invest. They are looking for certain things; may be dividend, capital appreciation or just prestige that ‘yes, I owe shares in this company’. Now, they are not seeing dividend. There is no motivating factor compelling them to invest in these shares and the companies themselves are not even telling the investing public what is happening to them.

I HAVE an issue with the bank relating to being defrauded by the purported sale of a spurious property in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

It is better for you to be checking your workers regularly. They have to respect customers. Sorry I’ll not mention names but please keep eyes on workers in Jimeta branch. They have to be disciplined. But not all of them, there is a woman in customer care, fair, tall. She listens to all kinds of people in a polite way and solves their problem. Please you can take a good care of that woman she knows her job.

Globally the soft market has been on for over a decade largely driven by the lack of significantly impactful catastrophes and increased capital flowing into the market. This trend has not helped margins in the industry and underwriters are therefore considering ways to firm up premium rates.

WITH the global cyber insurance market expected to reach $14 billion by 2022, according to Allied Market Research, Nigerian insurers appear not yet ready to take on the market though they desire its development.

FOR the second consecutive week, Nigeria’s Eurobonds traded on the London Stock Exchange appreciated in value as foreign investors intensified demand for the nation’s debt instrument.

SHAREHOLDERS of International Energy Insurance, IEI, Plc have petitioned the House of Representatives over the failure of the interim Board and management team appointed by the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, in 2015 to audit the company’s 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 accounts to publish and implement the audit report before conducting an Annual General Meeting, AGM.

WORLD’S leading accounting and management firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, has revealed that the Nigerian retail banking and payments sectors will be the most disrupted by a group of new companies building Financial Technology (FinTech) solutions.

Is very easy for you as a journalist who is writing history in a hurry, to miss some important things happening in the industry and which are building blocks for better things for the future of the industry. Let me give you examples, we have witnessed recently improvements in the regulatory environment and because of that the poor perception of the industry is changing. Insurance companies are better managed today than they were just few years ago. Also technology is improving service delivery across board.

THE World Bank Group’s Global Index Insurance Facility (GIIF) and African Reinsurance Corporation (Africa Re) have entered into an agreement to carry out a risk-sharing facility to subsidize premium for over 80million farmers in Africa.

Yes, I am in support of the move by the Commission to stop physical share certificates. Elimination of share certificate will go a long way to hasten transactions on the stock market. I am happy to hear that the Central Securities Clearing System, CSCS, has reached 100 per cent of dematerialisation of share certificates in the Nigerian capital market. It has been a journey that started over 10 years ago, so SEC and the CSCS should be commended for the achievement.

I BELIEVE it is part of the duties of regulators to ensure a free and fair market. Transparency and fair play are essential ingredients for any market. Market operators are also in a position of trust. They must be seen to be above board to retain and sustain the confidence of all stakeholders. But then, our system is still evolving; it is not yet perfect and so is our regulatory environment. I think we should all regulate the regulators but we should still give them benefit of the doubt.