Sahel Sahara merges with Omni Bank

• Posted on August 14, 2018
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

Sahel Sahara Bank and Omni Bank have agreed to consolidate their operations into one entity in a merger deal that could be the first of a few in the banking sector between now and December.

It follows Sahel Sahara Bank’s decision to exit an earlier merger deal with GN and Premium banks into the waiting arms Omni Bank, which specialises in servicing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

A merger deal between the Omni Bank, a member of the Jospong Group, and the Sahel Sahara Bank, which is owned by 13 Sahelian. countries, has since received the blessing of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), paving the way for a formal announcement later this month.

The consolidation of the two banks is to create a stronger bank that can meet the BoG’s new minimum capital demand of GH¢400 million by December this year.

When successfully consummated, the deal could create a larger bank with almost 1,000 employees on its payroll and 46 branches, servicing customers in seven regions nationwide.

Its total assets could also be in excess of GH¢1.3 billion, while stated capital would be around GH¢213 million – still below the central bank’s new minimum capital of GH¢400 million.

While the Omni Bank’s stated capital was reported at GH¢141.6 million, that of the Sahel Sahara Bank closed the year at GH¢71.6 million.

Why approve?

In an interview, a retired Deputy Governor of the BoG, Mr Emmanuel Asiedu-Mante, said it was surprising that the central bank approved the merger although it would not resolve the recapitalisation hurdle.

“Why will two banks merge and still not meet the minimum capital?” he asked in an interview on August 13.

“If they cannot meet, then they must as well go their separate ways because the idea is to make a stronger bank out of the two. But if you are going to merge and still not meet some key requirements, then there is absolutely no justification for a merger,” he said.

However, another source told the paper in confidence that the two sides had agreed to use a third party investor through preference shares to help increase the capital to the required amount before December this year.

The plan for capital restoration was part of the strategies presented to the BoG, the source said.

Opportunity for leverage

An investment banker, Mr Mahama Iddrisu, told the paper in a separate interview that a successful merger could mean that the Sahel Sahara Bank would lose its name in Ghana.

He added that the bank’s footprints in the 12 other Sahelian countries will, however, give the new entity a stronger platform on which to leverage for growth.

Given that Omni Bank is currently strong on funding to SMEs, Mr Iddrisu, who was part of the team that integrated the erstwhile The Trust Bank (TTB) into Ecobank Ghana, said it represented a good partnership that when properly leveraged, could help propel growth in the new bank.

New name

The GRAPHIC BUSINESS understands that discussions on a merger between the two banks started in July this year but firmed up towards the end of that month.

Consequently, a presentation on the merger was made to some staff of the Banking Supervision Department in the week ending August 10.

One source said the central bank gave a ‘no objection’ response to the merger presentation.

Although all parties are respecting confidential clauses, the paper further understands that BoG’s approval will be communicated to the management of Omni Bank and Sahel Sahara Bank in writing this week.

This will set in motion the actual process of integrating the operations of the two banks into one, ostensibly to meet the BoG’s new minimum capital demand of GH¢400 million by December this year.

Transaction advisors

The deal is being overseen by Bora Advisory Services, an indigenous financial service advisory firm.

It is understood that a new name for the merged entity is still being discussed.

In spite of their differences in ownership, both the Sahel Sahara and Omni banks are relatively small, with their 2017 financial accounts showing that they have virtually the same balance sheets. This makes them a perfect match in a merger deal.

Fate of GN, Premium banks

Although good news for Omni Bank and Sahel Sahara, the merger deal between the two banks now places the previously anticipated consolidation of the GN, Premium and Sahel Sahara banks in the balance.

When contacted, the Managing Director of GN Bank, Mr Issah Adam, said “talks are still ongoing and I will not want to give any details at this time”.

When pressed further on Sahel Sahara’s exit, Mr Adam said, “I am not aware of that.”

In July, GN Bank alerted its staff that a merger deal among it and the two other banks was almost concluding to allow for the new entity to scale over the central bank’s capital requirement, which had already led to the collapse of five indigenous banks.

Although it was successfully submitted to BoG for review and approval, Sahel Sahara later exited into the waiting arms of Omni Bank.

Omni Bank, previously known as Union Savings and Loans, began full banking operations in November 2016 after receiving a licence from the BoG in July that year.

Last year, the bank halved its 2016 net loss of GH¢28.7 million to GH¢14.7 million.

Sahel Sahara Bank, on the other hand, has been operating in the country since March 2008.

It is part of the BSIC Group, headquartered in Sirte, Libya. The group was created in 1999 by 28 countries under the Community of the Sahel Sahara States, also called CEN-SAD.

Although a majority foreign-owned bank, the agreement establishing the bank grants it indigenous status, including exempting it from paying taxes. — GB