Fidelity Bank Plc has successfully raised N250–N270 billion through a private placement, boosting its qualifying capital above the N500 billion minimum required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for banks with international authorisation.

The placement, executed on December 31, 2025, saw overwhelming demand, enabling the bank to close the offer in a single day—a rare feat in Nigeria’s capital market, where private placements typically last up to 10 days. With existing share capital and premium of about N306 billion, the new equity injection solidifies Fidelity Bank’s Tier 1 bank status and positions it for post-recapitalisation growth.

Subscriptions were limited to top-rated institutional investors, aligning with the bank’s growth strategy and corporate objectives. Analysts say the recapitalisation, nearly three months ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline, strengthens Fidelity Bank’s capital buffers, governance depth, and competitiveness in a globalising financial landscape.

Fitch Ratings recently affirmed the bank’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at ‘B’ and upgraded its National Long-Term Rating to ‘A+(nga)’, citing strong capital adequacy, improved profitability, and sound operating fundamentals.