Templars Appointed Diamond Bank’s Counsels In Merger Talks With Access Bank

Diamond Bank Plc has appointed leading Lagos-based commercial
law firm, Templars, as its counsels and representatives in its
merger talks with Access Bank Plc.

The merger of the two banks is expected to create Africa’s
largest retail bank in terms of customer base and one of the
largest financial institutions in Nigeria.

This indication was given by the law firm in a statement on
Tuesday and obtained by Daily Independent.

According to the firm, “Templars is pleased to have played a
central role as legal counsel to Diamond Bank in the strategic
review exercise that created the competitive process from which
Access Bank emerged as preferred bidder.

“In its continuing role as transaction counsel, Templars are
advising Diamond Bank on all relevant corporate and regulatory
approvals as well as the implementation of the merger.

“The Templars team on the transaction is led by Oghogho Akpata,
Managing Partner; Chike Obianwu, Banking and Finance Practice Head;
and Banking and Zelda Akindele, Finance Partner.”

The statement added, “The Board of Diamond Bank Plc on 17
December 2018 announced that the bank had entered into an agreement
for a merger with Access Bank Plc which is expected to be completed
in the first half of 2019 subject to shareholder and regulatory
approvals.

“Upon completion, the merger of the two banks would create
Africa’s largest retail bank by customers and one of the largest
financial institutions in Nigeria.

“Diamond Bank is widely recognized as Nigeria’s fastest growing
retail bank, and a leader in financial inclusion, gender diversity,
SME financing and promotion.

“The bank has over 17 million customers across Nigeria, with
over 90 percent of its transactions conducted on digital
channels.

“Access Bank, on the other hand, has 10 million customers, and
is widely recognized as a leader in corporate banking and one of
the five largest banks in Nigeria.”

Speaking at the signing of the merger agreement between the
banks, Uzoma Dozie, Diamond Bank CEO, and Herbert Wigwe, AccessBank
CEO, stressed the potential benefits to both institutions of a
combination of Diamond Bank’s formidable digital and mobile-led
retail franchise and Access Bank’s corporate banking strengths.

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