A Bank Initiative Resumes Share Sales after Two-Year Hiatus


A Bank Initiative Resumes Share Sales after Two-Year Hiatus

Geez Bank, a private commercial bank under formation, has resumed share sales after a two-year interruption caused by the northern conflict. Initially, the Bank aimed to complete its share sales by July 2021, but the escalating tensions and uncertainties in the country forced a halt to its efforts. Thomas Haile, a member of the bank's founding committee, confirmed that they have now secured a permit from the central bank, allowing them to continue their bid to raise equity from the public. The announcement comes as a positive development, as businesses and investors look to rebuild and strengthen the economy after the turmoil caused by the war. During a press conference held at Geez Bank's office, at Wegagen Bank's headquarters, the founding committee revealed ambitious plans to raise half a billion Birr in paid-up capital within the next month. If successful, this move is expected to solidify the Bank's position in providing a strong foundation for its future growth.


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Electricity Bills Get the VAT Jolt

The new Value Added Tax (VAT) has begun implementation on electricity consumption and various service fees affecting customers who use more than 200 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Based on a directive from the Ministry of Finance, the tax will be applied to the excess amount of electricity consumption above 200 kilowatt hours. The Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) began implementing the VAT on bills starting from November though both prepaid and postpaid customers will have to pay V...


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Gadaa Bank Expands Reach, Faces Lending Constraints

Gadaa Bank closed its first full fiscal year of operations with a net profit of 90.2 million Br. The 18-month-old Bank held its annual general assembly at Millenium Hall on Africa Avenue last week where the board announced that during the year, the Bank opened 15 branches and now has 85 operational branches. “Due to recently enacted policy measures on credit by NBE and unmet resource mobilization during the fiscal year, the Bank was unable to make loan disbursements,” stated Wolde...


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Oromia Bank's Branch Expansion Weighs on Profits

Oromia Bank reported a 47pc decline in net profit to take in 840.9 million Br for the past fiscal year. Interest income grew by 21pc to reach 7.19 billion Br while personnel expense grew by 36pc to hit 3.16 billion Br. The opening of 72 new branches, bringing the total to 575, led to a four percent growth of deposits to 56.4 billion Br. The profits are “unsatisfactory against our ambitious moves,” said Assefa Seme (PhD), board chairperson. “The deviation is primarily attributed to our aggr...