Investment banking handled major transactions that defined the year and requires recognition, President of Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria, ‘Kemi Awodein, has said.
She spoke at the Investment Banking Awards Dinner in Lagos.
According to her, the award celebrates achievements of investment bankers and motivate them to do more.
She said: “This event celebrates investment banking sector, and further celebrates people who have worked hard and executed large ticket transactions. It is an opportunity to appreciate clients who have given us mandates that have led to us receiving and achieving those accolades.”
Awodein said the awards were for 2023 transactions, adding 2024 has been a busy year and is expected to bring about more impactful transactions that could qualify for awards next year.
This year, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited and Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited dominated the winner’s list.
Stanbic IBTC Capital won Best Public Sector Debt Issuance House 2023, Best Commercial Paper House 2023, Best Corporate Bond House 2023, Best DCM House 2023, Best Equity Deal of 2023 and Best Investment Bank 2023.
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Chapel Hill Denham Advisory won Best Equity House 2023, Best M&A Deal of 2023, and Best M&A House 2023.
Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill, Bolaji Balogun, said 2023 wasn’t a bad year in investment banking markets, but relative to the activity that has happened this year, it was a relatively lighter year.
Balogun said his firm “works hard to ensure standard delivered to clients is consistent.”
He said: “The second thing we do is to recognise that it’s not about us, it’s about clients. It’s about helping clients find solutions to challenges.”
Head of Real Estate Finance at Stanbic IBTC Capital, Tola Akinhanmi, said “it’s a difficult environment, but the ethos of the bank is focused on clients. The team always finds solutions, despite the environment, and creating solutions for client needs…” he said.
Akinhanmi said raising minimum capital for investment banks was a bold move, “as it motivated the company.”