Fidelity Bank Plc has raised N259bn through a Private Placement of ordinary shares, significantly boosting its capital base as the lender intensifies efforts to meet the new regulatory capital requirements for commercial banks with international authorisation.
In a statement issued on the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday, the bank said the Private Placement was conducted following approvals from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission and was successfully opened and closed on 31 December 2025.
“Fidelity Bank Plc is pleased to inform the general public that, following approvals granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission, it successfully opened and closed a Private Placement of ordinary shares on 31 December 2025,” the bank said.
According to the statement, the exercise resulted in the bank raising N259bn, which increased its eligible capital from N305.5bn to N564.5bn, subject to final regulatory approvals.
“This exercise resulted in the bank raising N259bn, increasing its eligible capital from N305.5bn to N564.5bn, awaiting regulatory approvals,” the statement added.
The bank explained that the Private Placement was carried out pursuant to the authority granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting held on 6 February 2025, where approval was given for the issuance of up to 20bn ordinary shares.
“The Private Placement was conducted pursuant to the authorisation received from the Bank’s shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting of 6 February 2025, to issue up to 20bn Ordinary Shares by way of Private Placement,” Fidelity Bank stated.
The latest capital raise forms part of the lender’s broader recapitalisation programme aimed at meeting the new minimum capital threshold of N500bn set by regulators for commercial banks with international licences.
The bank recalled that it had previously raised N175.85bn through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, which lifted its eligible capital to N305.5bn at the time.
“The Bank had previously raised N175.85bn through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, bringing its eligible capital to N305.5bn,” the statement added.
Following the completion of the Private Placement, Fidelity Bank said it has now surpassed the N500bn regulatory requirement, with a buffer above the minimum threshold.
“This left a margin of N194.5bn to meet the new regulatory capital requirement of N500bn for commercial banks with international authorisation,” the bank added.
Industry analysts say the successful completion of the Private Placement positions Fidelity Bank strongly ahead of regulatory deadlines and reflects sustained investor confidence in the lender’s growth strategy, balance sheet strength and long-term outlook.
With eligible capital now standing at N564.5bn, Fidelity Bank joins the growing list of Nigerian lenders that have made significant progress in the ongoing banking sector recapitalisation exercise, as regulators push for stronger, more resilient financial institutions capable of supporting economic growth.
