FDH Boss Says No Retrenchments After MSB Acquisition

As anxiety continue to grow for possible job cuts at Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) following its acquisition to FDH Financial Holdings Limited on Thursday, the new managers jettison such fears. FDH is into serious banking expansion requiring more workers. 

On Thursday, Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe Malawi Government signed the sale of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) on behalf of Malawi Government while Dr. Thom Mpinganjira signed on behalf of FDH Holdings.

The sale of the bank has been described by many Malawians as unfortunate great loss of national treasure and that Malawians will face more negative repercusions will follow soon.  

Thomson Mpinganjira CEO FDH Financial Holdings has cast out fears that the acquisition of the Malawi Savings Bank will lead to retrenchment of workers and closure of MSB branches.

But FDH CEO says there should be no worries. He says they are plans to expand their presence in the country and not shrink MSB and that ‘no one will be fired’

“Out of K5.4 billion cash that we are going to pay the Government (this week), K300 million of that we are buying shares for the employees of the bank” said Mpinganjira

“We have got vast network and we looked at how we can expand; We can expand by growing slowly 50 years, or acquisition. So we decided to go for acquisition.” He added,  "this acquisition will put us on third position in banking" said Mpinganjira who could not remember their current position in Malawi.

“After this acquisition we are going to become Bank number three. But our plan is to move further beyond number 3 or number 2. And then we will see what happens after 10 years. But for us to realize our plans to grow to even number 1, it means that we cannot start closing down branches or retrenching, because what network are we going to use to grow.” he explained

Speaking of plans for the MSB he said FDH Financial Holdings Limited would like to use MSB penetration to offer insurance services in villages just like all other countries are doing.  

"Our partners Old Mutual are insurance company. Insurance penetration in Malawi is 3% now,  banking is somewhere around 22% to 33% so it is very low. So we would like to utilize the network of Malawi Saving Bank to reach out to the rural masses in insurance” 

“But we think that since the majority of people are in the villages, MSB is not just going to be banking but it also be insurance products that will be taken to the people."

Some protests were
held asking government to
halt the MSB sale process.

MSB was sold told as one way of recapitalising the bank which was failing to meet some regulatory requirements including Basil II due to financial challenge fueled by toxic loans obtained by some businessmen connected to government. 

However malawians proposed that government should have recapitalised the bank with no option of selling it.  

But the FDH CEO has challenged that in a specified period of time the bank will make profits "In three years time the time stipulated in the agreement that which is 24 to 36 month that we must take this bank to the Malawi Stock Exchange to sell Malawi Government portion to Malawians, you will not be surprised because you will be watching developments in the Malawi Savings Bank. But we will make Malawians proud that fellow Malawians were able to do what we were planning to do”

Asked if they plan to rename the bank he said FDH Holdings will be guided by the regulations by Registrar of Financial Institution but now will run the bank side by side. 

FDH Financial Holdings Limited has acquired MSB to a tune of K5.4 billion, with Capital subscription for Basil II of K3.20 billion and Investment in ICT to a tune of K0.90 billion which total the investment of K9.5 billion.

FDH Fincial Holding Limited owns FDH bank, First Discount House, FDH Stockbrokers and FDH Money Bureau.

Chairperson on Agriculture Committee Felix Jumbe Worried Over STECO, Chitakale Tea Factories Takeover By Mulli; Tea Farmers Petition Parliament

The Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development describes the use as collateral the two companies; STECO and Chitakale tea factories by Mulli Brothers and alleged takeover, blow to the farming sector.

Salima Central legislature was reacting to the petition sent to the National Assembly by the concerned Smallholder Tea Farmers from Mulanje and Thyolo districts who wants the House to help them prevent now sold Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) from selling the two tea companies and hand them over back to the farmers. 

MSB announced the sale of the two tea companies in a bid to recover the Billions of Kwacha’s that Mulli Brothers owes the bank. Mulli obtained loan worth Billions from the bank using the two companies as collateral but the concerned Smallholder farmers claims Mulli does not own STECO and Chitakale.

After receiving the petition on Thursday, Hon. Felix Jumbe Hon. Jumbe said as a farmer he is concerned that the problem is deliberate and so many other companies and organizations that should have been owned by farmers themselves were wrongly “taken in such format” citing David White Head and Dairiboard.  He said this is depriving farmers of realizing better income.

He noted that it is sad that Malawi government remains silence as businessmen are taking ignorance of farmers on issues, to enrich themselves saying issue at hand is one of it. 

Hon Jumbe promised that parliament “Will look into the circumstances which led to this situation for Mulli to use collateral of an asset which he was just a shareholder. Even for the change of hands from STECO to Mulli” 

He as well, assured that his committee together with relevant committees including Privatization Committee will investigate and come up with conclusion on circumstances that led to alleged illegal change of ownership of STECO and Chitakale tea factories by Mulli Brothers.

“The two companies were meant for farmers that when they grow their tea they should sell their leaf to the these companies with a view that when they add value, farmers would be benefiting more than just selling the green leaf” he observed

According to the Smallholder Tea Farmers petition, their majority shares were sold to an individual (Mulli) without consulting the will or majority (Smallholder Tea Farmers In Malawi) and as well, wondered why government allowed Mulli to get the two companies.

“We the voiceless farmers were disappointed regardless of pressure against the idea of the sale of the Smallholder facilities and eventually decided to be refugees in our own country and had to look for asylum in the private tea companies” claimed Wilfred Custom who led the petitioner’s

They demand that Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) now sold to FDH Holdings Limited, should exclude STECO and Chitakale in its proposed sale of Mulli Brothers assets since Mulli Brothers is just a partner. 

“Farmers wonder as to why Mulli Brothers used STECO and Chitakale as collateral for obtaining loan from MSB which never benefited the two companies.” He said 

“The proposed STECO and Chitakale remains an issue uncalled for, because the investor (Mulli Brothers) failed to run the two companies in more viable and profitable standard in the sense that he failed to service loans, he failed to pay farmers approximately K70 million for green leaf sales and bonuses” claimed Mr. Custom who added that Mulli has failed to publish audited accounts and implement the dividend policy among others that are in the MOU.

“Government should assist the smallholder farmers to reclaim the two companies and outsource transparent and dynamic management on contract to revamp the operations and finally hand over the companies to the Smallholder Tea Farmers” pleaded the group in the petition

The group has also asked government to revoke the existing Trust Deed of the Smallholder Tea Growers Trust and Smallholder Tea Company and replace with a Trust Deed which will empower growers to manage the company without political interference.   

According to the concerned farmers, there are 15000 smallholders in Malawi with 70% female representation with an average land holding size of 0.4 hectares.

Parliamentary Roles Were Overlooked Says Chakwera As House Adjourn Sine Die

Hon Chakwera

The National Assembly adjourns Sine Die, however The Leader Opposition  says the role of parliament was overlooked in number of issues.

When delivering speech on the moved motion that the house adjourn sine die, the Opposition Leader in Parliament,  Hon.  Lazarus Chakwera said was happy   that the 2015/2016 budget was passed after scrutiny from Opposition and Independent members and  emphasized that equitable distribution of the approved K923 billion be followed and in good time. 

Chakwera however said was not happy with the manner in which some issues had been treated in the house citing the MSB sale and Data analysis report on 92 billion Audit query which now becomes of the K577 billion audit query needing forensic audit.(get it hereWaterhouse Coopers Audit Query)

The Opposition leader added that some have even questioned the usefulness and independence of the house in addressing certain of these problems.

He expressed concern that  implementation of this budget will take place within context of practices that continue to put into question the trustworthiness of those that lead.

And hoped that the next meeting in November, government will bring bills and reforms that require legislations.

Hon Kasaila 

Leader of the House, Francis Lazaro Kasaila before moving a motion that the house adjourn sine die, he thanked the members but noted with concern that their daily attendance for the sitting was worrisome.

He urged all members to improve on this and asked them to stop personal attacks in the house as this will remove the dignity of the house.

This was 45th Session of 4th Meeting opened by President Mutharika on 5th May 2015 with State of the National Address. The house met for 9 weeks and on 15th May 2015 the house agreed to the President Statement

The House has among others approved Chief Justice on 20th May 2015

Presented with Budget Estimates on 22nd May 2015 where each vote and allocations were considered by committees and through general debate. And passed the budget on 26th June with appropriation bill (get all votes here Budget Votes and budget scrutiny report here By Budget and Finance Committee 2015-2016 Committees Report)

The house has passed nine bills and very few referred to relevant committees for further consideration and will be brought back in the house during the next meeting

Out of 205 question posed to various government ministries for oral reply responses, 184 were answered representing 75% achievement.

Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly has however thanked the president and the executive for not interfere with the parliament.

Kamlepo Call For Peter Mutharika Resignation Over MSB Sale

There was a heated debate in the National Assembly after learning that the Malawi Savings Bank sale has been reached and the government has signed the deal with FDH Bank on Thursday morning.

The information reached the house in the afternoon and resulted into the early lunch break as members began to demand for more explanations from the government over the decision.

Immediately the house resumed sitting in the afternoon a lot of members of parliament including Uladi Mussa, member for Salima South asked why the Minister had decided to sell the bank yet the house had on Wednesday passed a motion which restricts sale of MSB instead, provide enough resources.

He even asked why the sale was done yet the president announced the suspension of the sale.

However Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe said “Before we took this action president announced his decision that we can now go on with the sale.”

The national assembly passed resolution to halt to sale the bank when the committee on Budget and Finance on Wednesday brought in the house, a report which recommended government to use other avenues except sale of the bank

Rumphi East legislature, Hon. Kamlepo Kalua while wonder to whose interest did the President had announced the decision to sale the bank made a strong call that “Am therefore calling the resignation of the president of the Republic of Malawi Professor Peter Mutharika!

Chakwera

But Leader for the house in the National Assembly Francis Kasaila tried to rescue the president invain by saying “This is an executive decision on behalf of all Malawians” and added that the decision was legal

Leader of Opposition Hon. Lazarus Chakwera said, the decision to sale the bank was lack of transparency from beginning to end

He said the minds of the executive were made up to go for the decision and set aside loads of calls from the public.

He said people should expect more problems in future and the poor Malawian will pay the price.

He also bemoaned that the relevance of National Assembly on the matter was overlooked

There were emotions as the motion was being debated to the extent that the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Esther Chilenje pleaded for debate of the matter with “sober mind”

Chairperson for Agriculture in the National Assembly Hon. Felix Jumbe registerd his concern in the house saying the sale of MSB is a loss to Malawi’s strategic asset.

He even suggested that Malawi would have recapitalized the bank by asking people to contribute K20, 000 per person which would have raised over K50 billion.

“You are causing poverty to people of Malawi by selling the Malawi’s strategic assets” and pleaded for rescind of the decision 

Hon. Juliana Lunguzi

Dedza East Parliamentarian Juliana Lunguzi described the sale as one of the worst decision ever made and worried if the laws of the land are any important regarding that by requirement of the law the house had presented report which the whole house adopted and restricted the sale of the Bank. She then questioned the relevance of the existing laws.

MSB Sold to FDH as Inde Bank Bought By National Bank

The Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) has finally been sold to First Discount House (FDH) Holdings Limited, Malawi government’s preferred bidder committing to invest K9.5 billion including K5.4 billion for the existing shares.

Government has justified the sale saying the unanimous support to sale the bank was made by the Academia, Economics Association of Malawi, Banker’s Association of Malawi among others through various debates it conducted.

“It was, however, appreciated that any attempt to abort the transaction would deeply harm the financial sector and the would aggravate the country’s risk ratings.” Said Finance Minister Hon. Goodall Gondwe at the signing of the bank’s sale Thursday morning

FDH Holdings offered K5.4 billion in respect of 80% of the shares of MSB and claims the offer is far in excess of the bank’s net assets which the independent valuation done by ECAMA and Professor Ben Kalua, had placed at no more than K4.5 billion after excluding toxic assets.

Of the 80% shares to be acquired by FDH, 5% shall be sold to the staff and the 20% Government shares shall full ultimately be listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange for Public participation.

The total investment by FDH Holdings will consequently be; Purchase price for the shares- K5.4 billion, Capital subscription for Basil II-K3.20, Investment in ICT-K0.90 billion and the total investment is K9.50

“It is important to note that all the bids were prepared on the basis that the Government would hive off the off the toxic assets. Had the toxic assets remained in the bank, the offer price would have been significantly depressed.” Said Gondwe

Goodall Gondwe further said government has established a special purpose vehicle in order to optimize efforts of recovering the toxic debts owed to the MSB and that professionals have been appointed to recover the debts. He said those who may fail will have their assets confiscated and within six to one year the experts will have finished the the job.

Gondwe has further assured that MSB sale will “benefit from a more dynamic and innovative management through private sector participation and added that any further delays in implementing the sale may precipitate into untold arm on the economy, and may greatly undermine the integrity of Malawi’s system.”

Meanwhile, Inde Bank, has been sold to National Bank of Malawi (NBM)

The bank has been sold to a tune of K4.7 billion which is 67% of shares where by K1.6 billion is for the regulatory requirement for the recapitalization. And this sums to K6.3 billion.

MSB Sale Unstoppable Says Goodall As Parliamentary Committee Halts The Sale

Chiphiko listening to Petition on halting MSB sale

Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) sale will not be stopped confirms Finance Minister Hon Goodall Gondwe, amid adoption of the Budget and Finance Parliamentary Committee’s report  in the National Assembly which calls halting the sale of the Bank.

The Report was adopted on Wednesday evening by the house which asks recapitalization of the bank and sale it later if necessary.

Chairperson for the Committee Hon. Rhino Chiphiko when presenting the report noted that the sale of the bank is motivated by interest of very few business individuals connected to the ruling party including one major FDH shareholder Mr. Thom Mpinganjira.

He said the determination of the real value of the bank was a guess work as such the bank is going away on a giveaway price. Ina addition he said having one bidder which is FDH bank for such a big asset “Has heavily compromised on transparency and fairness of the process”

The committee said it was informed that the FDH bank had offered K4.9 billion for purchase of 75% shares in MSB.

After presenting the report which has been noted by the whole house on Wednesday, Chiphiko in an interview likened selling of the bank to FDH, to “Goat eating a Cow” as the bank is too small to buy the biggest bank in Malawi with number of branches across the country.

Chiphiko noted that since the house has adopted the report any process of selling the bank would be challenged in court by the house.

“The process of selling the bank should be floated on the Malawi stock exchange” said “I’ve been told that the stakeholders who would like to buy the bank are at the Capital Hotel to sign the papers, they can go on and sign the papers. But we’ve got the case here. Parliament will go to court because the report has been adopted by the whole house. And the house is the representative of all Malawians so the sale will be challenged if it continues” said Chiphiko

He said the committee also fear that the sale of the bank will lead to lay off of about 630 employees just like how previous privatized companies had done.

Chiphiko said the committee emphasized the need to recapitalize the bank with K4.5 billion that is required to make it stand on its feet so that it can meet Basel II requirements and possibly sale it after 3 to 4 years when it is in good shape and not at its weakest as it is now.

Meanwhile Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Hon. Goodall Gondwe while describing reports that the bank has been secretly sold as of Wednesday ‘hearsay’, he said the sale of MSB is unstoppable what remains is when and how.

He said though government will go for analysis of what has been said both by experts and parliament but said selling the bank is the best recapitalization as alluded to the report and other calls being made since government will be free of any obligations of controlling the bank.

“The House did not stop the government from selling the bank, they noted the report and there was no vote passed.” Said Gondwe

“We are selling the bank because we are being forced by the Basel II requirement where we are considering the recapitalization of the bank. I expect that it will no longer be the responsibility of the government to constitute and meet the requirement of Basil II it will be the new management responsibility” he said

“All experts recommended that we should sell the bank and the only difference was when and how that should it be done and that was left for us to decide.” Added Gondwe

“In our case we have to decide when and how to sell the bank. If we don’t sell the bank the depositors will lose all their money is that what we want? Because the bank will find it difficult to find the money to pay the depositors when they want their money out if we don’t sale it. But we have an obligation to ensure that depositors do not lose their money”

Asked if he is afraid of the warning that the house will challenge the decision in court, Hon Gondwe said “No!, no, no, the courts are there for all of us to appear there, we will go to court and follow them, that is not a problem”