Ghana Stock Exchange suspends listing status of UT Bank

The revocation of UT Bank’s license may not be the end of its woes as the Ghana Stock Exchange has following BoG’s action, suspended its listing status.

The Ghana stock Exchange, in a press release indicated that the revocation is resultant of the bank’s inability and or failure to publish its financial results since the end of its financial year December 31, 2015.

The suspension according to the release has become necessary due to the revocation of UT Bank’s license.

The Bank of Ghana has approved a Purchase and Assumption transaction with GCB Bank Ltd that transfers all deposits and selected assets of UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd to GCB Bank Ltd.

The Bank of Ghana has revoked the Licences of UT Bank Ltd and Capital Bank Ltd.

This action has become necessary due to severe impairment of their capital. The remaining assets and liabilities will be realised and settled respectively through a receivership process to be undertaken by Messers Vish Ashiagbor and Eric Nana Nipah of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The main offices and branches of UT Bank and Capital Bank will be under the control of GCB bank and will be opened at 1pm today for normal business transactions. Customers of UT Bank and Capital Bank are now customers of GCB bank. All deposit customers will continue to have access to their funds.

UT Bank and Capital Bank branches and ATMs will continue to operate as normal as GCB bank branches and ATMs. All staff in the interim will become staff of GCB bank and GCB Bank will negotiate the terms of their contract.

Below is the press statement from the Ghana Stock Exchange:

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has with effect from Monday, August 14, 2017 suspended the listing status of UT Bank Limited indefinitely.

UT Bank has failed to publish its financial results since the end of its financial year December 31, 2015. The non-publication is in breach of the continuing listing obligations under the GSE Listing Rules. The GSE has collaborated closely with Bank of Ghana (BoG), the regulator for banks on this matter.

The suspension has also become necessary due to the revocation of the licence of UT Bank by BoG effective Monday, August 14, 2017 in a letter to the Exchange dated August 11, 2017. In the said BoG letter, the BoG has approved a purchase and assumption agreement by GCB Bank Limited to acquire the total deposit liabilities and some selected good assets of UT Bank.

The GSE will continue to collaborate closely with BoG and the Securities and Exchange Commission to ensure that the interest of shareholders of UT Bank are protected in accordance with the GSE Rules and any guidelines or notices that may be issued by BoG.

Further information through Press Releases will be published as appropriate.

Issued in Accra, this 14th day of August, 2017.