Africa-Press – Eswatini. The 100 per cent listing of FNB Eswatini on the Eswatini Stock Exchange (ESE) has improved the market capitalisation by 42.24 per cent to E6.7 billion from E4.7 billion overnight.
This was disclosed by ESE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joyce Dlamini as she shared the massive impact on the stock exchange that has been brought about following the 100 per cent listing of FNB Eswatini, which has successfully been completed through effective collaboration with directors, regulators and other strategic stakeholders.
The bank has not only listed on the local stock exchange but also issued 24.99 per cent shares. Out of the 24.99 per cent issued shares, 20 per cent were availed to Emaswati and 4.99 per cent to FNB personnel through an Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP).
The 20 per cent shares were acquired by Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) for E145.96 million (7.4 per cent), Swazi Empowerment Limited (SEL) for E97.04 million (4.92 per cent), Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF) for E88.03 million (4.46 per cent), Old Mutual Eswatini for E23.7 million (1.2 per cent), Sibaya Umbrella Provident Fund for E20 million (1.01 per cent) and Swaziland National Association of Teachers Co-operative for E19.7 million (one per cent).
“We are proud and happy that FNB has found it prudent to list on the Eswatini Stock Exchange due to the immense benefits that the transaction brings,” said Dlamini, much to the applause from captains of industry who joined the bank in celebrating the milestone during a posh function convened at the bank’s newly-opened headquarters in Ezulwini yesterday.
appreciation
FNB CEO Dennis Mbingo expressed deep appreciation to the FirstRand Group for considering the collective of FNB Eswatini employees as beneficiaries of the transaction through the shareholding of the FNB Eswatini Employee Share Trust.
“FirstRand has allocated 4.99 per cent of the issued capital of FNB Eswatini, which amounts to 6 636 700 shares valued at E98.422 261. On behalf of our employees, thank you to FirstRand. Each time dividends are approved for payment employees shall share in the dividends due to the trust equally, regardless of seniority or years in employment,” said Mbingo.
He said the successful transaction would not have come to fruition without the robust oversight of their regulators.
He said they had been on a long journey, especially with the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) over many years, and their feedback had helped them build a very disciplined business that respects its compliance obligations.
“I recently mentioned to the Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg that good regulation not only protects depositors and borrowers, but also adds value to balance sheets and the greater economy. To our colleagues at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and ESE, we have seen how hard you have worked to evaluate, review and advise FNB Eswatini. Through your collaborative efforts, thousands of working-class and retired Emaswati will now become major stakeholders of a major financial institution and significant player in the economy,” said Mbingo.
FirstRand Broader Africa Executive Group Samantha Balsdon said they support the local management team’s view that localisation was important for their business but more importantly that it was critical to give the local market, and in particular savers, access to this attractive and sustainable growth business.
Balsdon said it was for this reason that they had decided to sell 24.99 per cent their holding in FNB Eswatini. She said they had selected investors in the local market from the largest institutions, who represent the savers of the country through the pension funds and other saving vehicles they manage.
“We wanted the shareholding to be broad based and wanted to make sure that savers and pensions are the beneficiaries of this good ongoing investment story,” said Balsdon.
Minister Rijkenberg said the 24.99 per cent localisation of FNB’s shareholding not only unlocked E493 million in value payable to FirstRand, but it made a bold statement about the confidence FirstRand Limited and FNB have in the economy and its prospects of growth.
“You have trusted the country with your investment, and in the process have become one of the largest taxpayers and the largest financial services taxpayer. On behalf of the government of Eswatini, we value your confidence and contribution,” said Rijkenberg.
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