A group, Niger Delta Professionals in Banking and Financial Sector (NDPBFC), has alerted customers, critical stakeholders and the general public about an on-going plot by certain persons to use the media, particularly the social media platform, to tarnish at all costs, the reputation of Heritage Bank, regarded as one of the nation’s fastest growing banks.
The group, which boasts of seasoned bankers and financial analysts, says, it has traced the anger of the traducers of Heritage Bank to the outright refusal of the bank’s management team to allow insider or other unwholesome dealings in the bank.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Saturday, NDPBFC, led by Mr. Joshua Amachre, insisted that Heritage Bank remains one of the healthiest banks in Nigeria and that the strength of the bank is firmly rooted in the “tough, disciplined and incorruptible” management team led by Mr. Ifie Sekibo.
According to Amachre, said the bank is contending with some powerful persons and their associates, opposed to the astronomical growth of the bank.
He added that “You also have another category of persons who want the bank to continue to do business as usual,” insisting that the management of the bank has been acting in “the very best interest of the bank and its shareholders by doggedly resisting influences that could undermine the projections and general wellbeing of the bank.”
He said the team has shown resilience and tenacity, insisting that “Heritage Bank is not a place where supposed powerful influences can overwhelm or overawe the Managing Team to access huge unsecured loans.”
Meanwhile, the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communication, Mr Isaac Okorafor has dismissed as malicious, insinuations that Heritage Bank is under financial distress and therefore unable to discharge its obligations to its depositors.