Fidelity Bank CEO’s Share Acquisition Signals Strong Confidence in Tier-One Lender
In a bold move that screams, “I believe in you,” Fidelity Bank Plc’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has scooped up an extra 18 million shares of the bank, worth around ₦366 million. This power move is all about showing unwavering faith in the bank’s ability to weather any storm.
The regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) Disclosures portal spilled the tea on this savvy investment, which went down on May 19, 2025, at ₦20.35 per share. Interestingly, this was the same day some online gossip site blabbed about a Supreme Court ruling involving a ancient case inherited from the defunct FSB International Bank back in 2005.
But hold up, this isn’t the first time Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe has put her money where her mouth is. Back in November 2024, she snapped up 15 million shares for ₦239.4 million, followed by another 10 million shares valued at ₦157.9 million a few days later. These buy-ins show a solid commitment to the bank’s long-term success.
The Big Picture: CEO’s Personal Investments Speak Volumes
By beefing up her stake when things are getting hairy, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe is basically shouting from the rooftops, “I’m in this for the long haul.” Her personal investments are a glowing endorsement of Fidelity Bank’s game plan and financial stability.
But wait, there’s more good news. Fidelity Bank’s financial results are looking pretty sweet. In the first quarter of 2025, the bank raked in a Profit Before Tax of ₦105.8 billion, a whopping 167.8% jump from the same period last year. Gross earnings shot up by 64.2% year-on-year to ₦315.4 billion, thanks to some serious growth in interest income and non-interest revenue.
The bank’s balance sheet is rock solid, with total deposits climbing 11.1% to ₦6.6 trillion year-to-date, and net loans and advances notching up a 5.0% increase to ₦4.6 trillion. These numbers are a testament to Fidelity Bank’s ability to handle big projects and ride out financial storms.
Despite all the trash talk in the media (which the Central Bank of Nigeria has already shut down), Fidelity Bank’s share price has held steady. Sure, it took a tiny dip from ₦21.00 on May 13, 2025, to ₦20.00 recently, but it’s still going strong. Investors are clearly feeling good about the bank’s leadership and fundamentals.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe’s ongoing investment in Fidelity Bank is all about leading by example and staying true to her word. Her actions speak volumes about the bank’s resilience and strength. As the legal drama plays out, stakeholders can take comfort in knowing that Fidelity Bank is in good hands.
