The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SKYE BANK

  • Skye Bank’s millionaire reward scheme for Aba

    Skye Bank’s millionaire reward scheme for Aba

    The peaceful town of Aba in Abia State will come alive on Thursday, January 21 as it brings another opportunity for new winners to emerge in the ongoing Skye Bank’s “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme.

    The “Reach for the Skye’’ millionaire reward scheme which started last year and has taken place in  Ibadan,  Onitsha, Benin, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja  and Lagos, will hold at the Ariaria market, Aba.

    A businessman and past winner of the scheme in the 1 million naira category, Kazeem Saheed Owolabi expressed how winning the large sum erased previous doubts he had for the promo. Owolabi explained that since his winning, he has become a stronger ambassador for Skye Bank.

    Narrating his experience, he said that, “My phone rang that afternoon, and I was told I had won a million naira from the Skye Bank “Reach for the Skye” Millionaire Reward Scheme. At first, I did not believe, until I was invited to receive my cheque. I am super excited and I really appreciate Skye Bank for this laudable initiative.”

    According to the Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank, Nkolika Okoli, the Skye Bank Millionaire Reward Scheme would also afford traders and those present at the Ariaria Market during the draw an opportunity to open accounts with the bank or upgrade from other types of accounts to the Save Plus account to qualify for the next month’s draw while winning exciting instant prizes like generators, refrigerators, household appliances and other prizes.

    Okoli added that, “At Skye Bank, we cherish and value our customers and we embarked on this journey as a bank that is committed to continuous reward of customers’ loyalty. This is our seventh edition. We are stepping out of the usual dynamics of rewarding qualified savings customers monthly by also giving instant gifts to customers who open new accounts on the spot.”

  • More millionaires emerge in Skye Bank’s promo

    More millionaires emerge in Skye Bank’s promo

    Skye Bank Plc has produced more millionaires in the on-going “Reach for the Skye Millionaire” reward scheme which  held in Kubwa Market in Abuja.

    While three customers of the bank were rewarded with N1 million each at the monthly draw,   a total of four and 10 others smiled home with N250,000 and N100,000 during the random electronic  selection.

    One of the winners of the N1 million star prize, who lives in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Mr. Masat Solomon, a business man, expressed his deepest gratitude to Skye Bank for the initiative and promised to be a brand evangelist for the bank.

    “Initially, I did not believe that this could be real but coming to Kubwa market I know that there is only one bank that can make it happen and that is Skye Bank”, he said.

    Solomon said “I am indebted to Skye Bank for changing my life with this money. In Nigeria of nowadays, N1million naira is a lot to invest in business and I will ensure that I multiply this money in so many ways because I want to continue to appreciate this gesture all the days of my life.’’

    On the promo, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli, said the reward scheme was in fulfillment of the promise made by the bank at the beginning of the scheme which started last June to reward customers who qualify.

    She informed customers of the Bank and other dignitaries that were present that the scheme is aimed at encouraging savings and financial inclusion through rewards and other benefits. ‘’It is also a way to say a big thank you to our esteemed customers for being invaluable partners in progress,’’ Nkolika added.

    Urging Nigerians to take full opportunity of the reward, she said: “We will continue to encourage our teeming customers to save for the raining days and other Nigerians who desire to live better to join the lucky customers and bank with us because this Skye is big enough for everyone to enjoy its fullness”.

    On the scheme, the Regional Director, Commercial, Abuja/Northcentral, Skye Bank Plc. Osazuwa Igbinoba, said “We are clear with what we want to use this initiative to achieve in that we want to build a people who think first about their nation’s economy and how they can invest in it.

  • Skye Bank trains women entrepreneurs

    Skye Bank trains women entrepreneurs

    Twenty women entrepreneurs have been trained by Skye Bank Plc under the aegis of the Skye Pearl programme to assist them run their businesses efficiently, profitably and professionally.

    The beneficiaries are the first set of entrepreneurs to be trained under the advisory and training support services for female entrepreneurs, a component package of the Skye Pearl programme which is specifically developed to cater to the funding and capacity building needs of female entrepreneurs, stay-at-home mothers, among others.

    Declaring the training programme open, the Regional Director, Greater Ikeja Region, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Ndubuisi Osakwe, said the training programme was to help build capacity for women in business and equip them with the necessary skills to succeed in business.

    Osakwe said studies have shown that with the necessary basic training in business management, women would excel as well as create value thereby contributing to the development of the nation.

    He further said women in business have low record of credit default, adding that with the necessary training and business advisory, they would not only excel but become employers of labour.

    In her remarks, Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayodele Olojede, said the bank would partner with the female entrepreneurs to improve the business climate and remove obstacles to their success

    Olojede noted that the training programme was in line with the unique value proposition of Skye Pearl initiative to address the knowledge and skill gap among female entrepreneurs and position them for competitive participation in business.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke after the training programme lauded Skye Bank for its strategic partnership with female entrepreneurs in the areas of financial and advisory services.

  • Skye Bank, KIA Motors sign auto finance pact

    Skye Bank, KIA Motors sign auto finance pact

    Skye Bank Plc and Kia Motors have signed a strategic auto finance agreement to enable customers of Skye Bank, who wish to purchase brand new Kia vehicles, do so without difficulty. The arrangement covers Kia models like Picanto, Rio, Cerrato, Optima and Sportage.

    Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc., Nkolika Okoli, said Skye Bank, as a retail focused bank, is always on the lookout for ways to add value to its customers and the partnership is to provide avenue for customers to easily acquire brand new cars.

    Okoli said, Kia brand is one of the fastest growing brands in Nigeria’s automobile industry today and she described Kia cars as very popular to average Nigerians. She also said that Kia spare parts and Kia service centers are readily available across the country, thereby offering convenience to the teeming car owners.

    Speaking on “who is eligible?”, Okoli said, salary earners and business owners can acquire cars under the partnership with down payment as low as 20 per cent of the total cost of the car. So, rather than opt for fairly used cars popularly called ‘Tokunbo’ in local parlance,  customers are encouraged to provide 20% equity contribution for a brand new car while the balance can be repaid over a four year period. Okoli also noted that there is no need for salary domiciliation for salary earners; they can meet monthly repayment using post-dated cheques.

    Also speaking at the event, Kia Motors’ Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Sandeep Malhotra, described the partnership as an important one given Skye Bank’s customer centric orientation. Malhotra said the partnership would make ownership of Kia cars very easy, cheap and affordable for anybody with a regular source of income who ordinarily may not have the required money to pay for the car at once.

    He listed the benefits accruable to customers who buy Kia cars under the special arrangement to include free first three services, discounted prices, free delivery, five year warranty and free vehicle tracker.

  • Skye Bank, KIA Motors sign auto finance pact

    Skye Bank, KIA Motors sign auto finance pact

    Skye Bank Plc and Kia Motors have signed a strategic auto finance agreement to enable customers of Skye Bank who wish to purchase brand new Kia vehicles do so without difficulty. The arrangement covers Kia models like Picanto, Rio, Cerrato, Optima and Sportage.

    Speaking at the agreement signing in Lagos, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc., Nkolika Okoli, said Skye Bank, as a retail focused bank, is always on the lookout for ways to add value to its customers and the partnership is to provide avenue for customers to easily acquire brand new cars.

    Okoli said Kia brand is one of the fastest growing brands in Nigeria’s automobile industry today and she described Kia cars as very popular to average Nigerians. She also said that Kia spare parts and Kia service centres are readily available across the country, thereby offering convenience to the teeming car owners.

    On “who is eligible?”, Okoli said, salary earners and business owners can acquire cars under the partnership with down payment as low as 20 per cent of the total cost of the car. So, rather than opt for fairly used cars popularly called ‘Tokunbo’ in local parlance,  customers are encouraged to provide 20  per cent equity contribution for a brand new car while the balance can be repaid over a four year period. Okoli also noted that there is no need for salary domiciliation for salary earners; they can meet monthly repayment using post-dated cheques.

    Kia Motors’ Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Sandeep Malhotra, described the partnership as an important one given Skye Bank’s customer centric orientation.

     

  • More millionaires in Skye Bank’s promo

    More millionaires in Skye Bank’s promo

    Skye Bank Plc has produced more millionaires in the on-going “Reach for the Skye Millionaire” reward scheme, which held its draw in Kubwa Market in Abuja last week.

    While three customers of the bank were rewarded with the sum of N1 million each at the monthly draw,   a total of four and 10 others smiled home with N250,000 and N100,000 respectively during the random electronic  selection  process.

    One of the lucky winners of the N1 million star prize, who lives in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Mr. Masat Solomon, a business man, expressed his deepest gratitude to Skye Bank for the initiative and promised to be a brand evangelist for the bank.

    “Initially, I did not believe that this could be real, but coming to Kubwa market I know that there is only one bank that can make it happen and that is Skye Bank,” he said.

    Solomon said: “I am indebted to Skye Bank for changing my life with this money. In Nigeria of nowadays, N1million naira is a lot to invest in business and I will ensure that I multiply this money in so many ways because I want to continue to appreciate this gesture all the days of my life.”

    Speaking on the promo, Head, Retail Banking Group, Skye Bank Plc, Nkolika Okoli, said the reward scheme was in fulfillment of the promise made by the Bank at the beginning of the scheme, which started in June to reward customers, who qualify to participate.

    She informed customers of the Bank and other dignitaries  present that the scheme is aimed at encouraging savings and financial inclusion through rewards and other benefits. ‘’It is also a way to say a big thank you to our esteemed customers for being invaluable partners in progress,’’ Nkolika added.

    Encouraging Nigerians to take full opportunity of the reward, she said: “We will continue to encourage our teeming customers to save for the raining days and other Nigerians, who desire to live better to join the lucky customers and bank with us because this Skye is big enough for everyone to enjoy its fullness.”

    Speaking further on the scheme, the Regional Director, Commercial, Abuja/North Central, Skye Bank Plc. Osazuwa Igbinoba said: “We are clear with what we want to use this initiative to achieve in that we want to build a people, who think first about their nation’s economy and how they can invest in it.”

  • Skye Bank launches online shop, YesMall

    Skye Bank launches online shop, YesMall

    Skye Bank Plc has unveiled an online store for the sale of mainly made in Nigeria products and services. The new online store, called YesMall, offers a unique experience for the bank’s current and prospective SME and retail customers, who can now buy and sell their products and services from the comfort of their homes.

    The transactions are done using electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops, or desktops. They can also do their transactions by using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nearest to them.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the new online mall in Lagos at the 8th Skye Bank SME seminar series, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Timothy Oguntayo, said the lender came up with the platform after noticing that some SME operators find it difficult to sell their goods as most of the finished goods end up as items of inventory in the warehouses.

    Noting that e-commerce had gained recognition in both national and global trade, Oguntayo said the bank planned to facilitate the participation of Nigerian SME operators in the global e-commerce sales, which is currently estimated at $1.5 trillion.

    The Skye Bank boss described the YesMall as an e-commerce platform, which offers Nigerians cost-effective opportunities to buy and sell online from the comfort of their homes. The Mall will also provide opportunities for many indigenous entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a borderless market.

    “The introduction of YesMall is, therefore, a deliberate strategy to live the spirit of our mission statement, which is using technology to drive innovation and enable consumer lifestyle,”he said.

    Executive Director, Technology and Service Delivery Channels, Mrs. Markie Idowu, described the Yesmall as an electronic market for showcasing locally made products and services of Nigerian small and medium scale enterprises.

  • Skye Bank, travel agencies partner on travel finance

    Skye Bank, travel agencies partner on travel finance

    Skye Bank Plc has partnered with travel agencies to provide travel financing for customers.

    At the unveiling of the partnership in Lagos at the weekend, the bank’s Head of Retail Banking Group, Nkolika Okoli, said the lender would provide financing for the customers to be able to buy their tickets and/or travel packages in good time to enjoy reduced fares.

    According to her, the bank would provide 80 per cent of the travel cost while the intending traveller will provide just 20 per cent of the total travel cost at a minimal interest rate. The customer can repay the loan over a maximum period of 12 months.

    Explaining the rationale for the special partnership, Okoli said because most people who travel in Nigeria are salary earners and small business owners in the middle income segment, they want to save up for their journey over a long period of time so end up buying their tickets two or three weeks to the date of travel.

    “What this means is that they buy their tickets at a high price. But if you buy your ticket three or four months before your travel date, you may probably save 50 or 60 per cent of what the person who buys two weeks to his travel pays”, she said.

    Managing Director of Dees Travels and Tours Limited, one of the partners, Daisi Olotu, praised Skye Bank for the innovative arrangement which has taken away from the agencies the risk of customer indebtedness over ticket.

    Olotu said while the travel agencies must remit the ticket fares to the airlines within 14 days, travellers often buy ticket on credit and may not pay immediately, noting that Skye Bank has solved the agencies’ major problem.

    Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Ajala.ng, Omolua Nwoke said the bank had taken away their major burden by making it possible for travellers to be able to travel and pay with convenience.

     

  • Skye Bank workers donate N20m to displaced people

    Skye Bank workers donate N20m to displaced people

    Employees of Skye Bank Plc have donated relief materials worth N20 million to the displaced people in Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The employees under the aegis of the of its ‘Employees Volunteerism Initiative’, distributed relief materials to over 120 families consisting of about 800 individuals in New Karshi, Nasarawa State, in addition to reaching out to another 100 families of Chibok people at their camp in Kuje, Federaal Capital Territory.

    The relief materials include 2000 bags of rice, 2000 bags of Indomie noodles, beverages, blankets, tooth paste, pampers, semovita, sanitary pads, among others. Skye Bank partnered with two non governmental organisations that have been working with the displaced people, Likeminds Initiative and Ombus Organisation, to achieve the feat.

    Speaking during the distribution of the items to the beneficiaries, the Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Directorate of Skye Bank Plc,  Idris Yakubu, said the bank  staff took the noble initiative to positively affect the lives of the displaced people who have gone through tough times and trauma.

    Yakubu said the employees’ compassionate gesture demonstrated their love and empathy for the less privileged in society and urged other associations and organisations to emulate the gesture.

    He urged the workers not to end their philanthropic gesture but to continue to give until there are no more distressed people.

    In his remarks, Skye Bank’s Head of Human Capital Management, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka, explained that the employees embarked on the ‘giving’ initiative in order to help the needy in the society and put smiles on their faces.

    According to him, the harrowing experiences which the displaced people have passed through over the years called for public support, emphasizing that the ‘Employee Volunteerism Initiative’, in its fifth year, had supported various causes ranging from public education, youth empowerment.

  • Skye Bank records strong growths in Q3

    Skye Bank records strong growths in Q3

    Skye Bank Plc recorded considerable growths in the top-line and the bottom-line in the third quarter as gross earnings rode on the back of improvements in interest and non-interest incomes to close the quarter with a total increase of 33.1 per cent.

    Interim report and accounts of the bank for the nine-month report released yesterday at the Nigerian  Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that gross earnings rose by 33.1 per cent to N129.24 billion in third quarter 2015 as against N97.13 billion recorded in comparable period of 2014. Interest income had grown by 25 per cent from N79.51 billion to N99.50 billion while non-interest income rose sharply by 69 per cent from N17.62 billion to N29.74 billion.

    Profit before tax rose by 21.5 per cent from N12.33 billion to N14.98 billion while profit after tax also rose correspondingly by 21.5 per cent from N9.87 billion to N11.98 billion. Earnings per share for the nine-month period stood at 86 kobo in 2015 as against 75 kobo recorded in comparable period of 2014.

    Group Managing Director, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the bank would sustain the upward growth pattern through the last quarter of the year, assuring that the bank has steadied on a positive growth trajectory.

    According to him, having successfully executed one of the biggest acquisitions in the nation’s banking industry, the bank was poised to deliver superior value and returns to its various stakeholders.

    It would be recalled that Skye Bank acquired erstwhile Mainstreet Bank Limited in December 2014, and concluded the integration of both banks in June 2015. It has also successfully re-engineered its operations, people, and processes for seamless customer experience at all its service points and channels.