Fidelity Bank Plc has successfully raised ₦259 billion through a Private Placement of ordinary shares, strengthening its capital base as it moves to comply with new regulatory requirements for commercial banks with international authorization.

The bank, in a statement released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday, confirmed that the Private Placement, approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission, was 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 raised ₦259 billion, boosting the bank’s eligible capital from ₦305.5 billion to ₦564.5 billion, pending 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 stated that the Private Placement was executed under the authority granted by shareholders at its Extraordinary General Meeting on 6 February 2025, which approved the issuance of up to 20 billion 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 recent capital raise is part of the bank’s wider recapitalisation programme to meet the new N500 billion minimum capital requirement set by regulators for commercial banks with international licences.

The bank noted that it had earlier raised ₦175.85 billion through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, which had increased its eligible capital to ₦305.5 billion.

“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 stated that it has exceeded the N500 billion regulatory requirement, creating 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 Private Placement positions Fidelity Bank well ahead of regulatory deadlines and demonstrates sustained investor confidence in the bank’s growth strategy, balance sheet strength, and long-term prospects.