- Equity Bank (Kenya) Limited (EBKL), has completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of teachers-owned Spire Bank Limited following regulatory approvals.
- With completion of the transaction, customers holding deposits in Spire Bank, other than the remaining deposits from Spire Bank’s controlling shareholder, and specified loan customers will now transition to become EBKL customers, having new Equity Bank accounts.
- The decision to acquire Spire Bank’s certain assets and liabilities was inspired largely by the banks’ history with teachers who have continued to support the Bank over the years.
Equity Bank Kenya Limited (EBKL) has completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Kenyan teachers’ owned Spire Bank Limited following receipt of regulatory approvals.
The bank had to get approvals from the Cabinet Secretary Treasury and Planning under Section 9 (1) of the Banking Act, the Central Bank of Kenya under Section 9, ( 5) of the Banking Act, the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority, the Competition Authority of Kenya, and corporate approvals from the board and shareholders of EBKL, Mwalimu National Savings & Credit Co-operative Society Limited (Mwalimu Sacco) and Spire Bank.
The completion of the acquisition follows an announcement that was made in September 2022 indicating that EBKL had entered into a transaction with Spire Bank for the proposed acquisition of approximately 20,000 deposit customers holding deposits of Sh1.322 billion and 3,700 loan customers that have outstanding loan balances reported at a net carrying value after statutory loan loss provisions of Sh945 million, as per Spire Bank’s un-audited 2022 half year financial statements.
With completion of the transaction, customers holding deposits in Spire Bank, other than the remaining deposits from Spire Bank’s controlling shareholder, and specified loan customers will now transition to become EBKL customers, having new Equity Bank accounts.
Speaking during the announcement ceremony, James Mwangi, Equity Group Managing Director and CEO said the decision to acquire Spire Bank’s certain assets and liabilities was inspired largely by the banks’ history with teachers who have continued to support the Bank over the years.
“This long-standing partnership extends to other collaborative initiatives including the Wings to Fly scholarship program that has benefited over 60,000 scholars. We have also partnered with our schools to support them transition to clean energy for lighting and cooking. Today, we celebrate the completion of the transaction and are happy to report we have started serving former Spire Bank customers,” Mwangi said.
Mwangi also added that the new customers from Spire Bank, will enjoy the same relationship and empathetic approach in the provision of banking services. They will be able to access their money anytime and without restrictions.
“Equity remains committed to playing a part in resolving the challenges of our people as we have continuously done in the past. The Bank supported the health sector with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and its customers by rescheduling their loans so that their businesses could survive, re-purpose and thrive post COVID-19. This time, we are using our strength, the availability of capital, to assist the customers of Spire Bank to access financial services,” he added.
According to the deal, Mwalimu Sacco will pay Equity Group up to Sh510 million for taking over the bank. The sacco will lay off all its workers.
Also speaking at the announcement, Spire Bank Board Chairman, William Rahedi said, “Equity Bank has stepped in to support Spire Bank to finish well. We are grateful that the Bank opened its doors for us and that moving forward, we shall be part of this great institution. We appreciate all stakeholders involved in this journey and express gratitude for the dignity and respect accorded to our customers and staff during this transition process. This transaction truly sets pace for similar initiatives within the financial services sector.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Mwalimu National Sacco, Joel Gachari said the transaction is unique and structured as an asset and liabilities purchase agreement.
“Equity will be acquiring part of our subsidiary’s assets and liabilities in the form of customer loans and deposit; and is expected to strengthen both organizations by leveraging their well-established domestic and regional client base. A move that provides confidence for consolidation in the banking sector in order to create larger and more resilient institutions that are stable and can weather shocks in this business environment.”
EBKL is a subsidiary of Equity Group Holdings Plc (EGH) which is the largest financial services institution in the region with assets of USD 12 billion. It is also the biggest bank in deposits, market capitalization of USD 1.4 Billion and with a customer base of over 18 million customers.
The Group has a footprint of 354 branches across 6 countries, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, DRC and Rwanda, 61,434 Agents, over 705,000 Pay With Equity (PWE) Merchants, 43,845 POS Merchants, 764 ATMs and an extensive adoption of digital and mobile banking channels.
The Banker Top 1000 World Banks 2022 index ranked Equity Bank 22nd in Africa and 761 overall in its global ranking, 149th in soundness (Capital Assets to Assets ratio), 71st in terms of Profits on Capital and 39th in terms of Return on Assets. Brand Finance 2022 ranked Equity Group the 5th strongest banking brand in the world and 338th overall among the top 500 banking brands, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) of 90.8 and a brand ranking score of AAA+, the highest rating that a brand can attain.
The move to acquire Spire Bank customers by East and Central Africa’s largest lender is in line with Equity Group’s concerted efforts to champion the post COVID-19 economic recovery and resilience of individuals, communities and the continent at large.
