CFI.co Meets Kayode Falowo

Kayode Falowo – Managing Director/CEO of Greenwich Trust Limited

Greenwich Trust Limited is a boutique Investment Bank focused on creating value for its various stakeholders. The firm was incorporated in 1992 and commenced business in 1994.

Greenwich Trust Limited has various subsidiaries involved in different aspects of the Capital Market. These subsidiaries include:

1. Greenwich Securities Limited
2. Greenwich Asset Management Limited
3. GTL Properties Limited
4. Greenwich Nominees Limited

Greenwich Trust Limited is duly registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria and its subsidiary, Greenwich Securities Limited, is a Dealing Member of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Over the years, the Bank has evolved to become a strong player and market leader in the financial sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

Mr. Kayode Falowo, is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenwich Trust Limited. He attended the Government College Ibadan and proceeded to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. Falowo obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and commenced his career with the Nigerian Agriculture & Cooperative Bank Ltd, then moved to North-South Bank Plc before establishing Greenwich Trust Ltd.

Mr Falowo is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) Nigeria, a Fellow of the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers and a Member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Capital Market Committee on Products and Business Development, Member of the Technical Committee of the National Council on Privatization, and also in the recent past, served as the Chairman of the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN).

“Over the years, the Bank has evolved to become a strong player and market leader in the financial sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.”

In his capacity as the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Greenwich Trust Ltd, Falowo oversees the formulation of policies and implementation of the Board’s decisions, with the main objective of providing leadership and directing the organization towards achieving its mission of creating wealth for its stakeholders.

Following the 2008 Global recession, the Nigerian economy, in particular the Capital market, suffered a major crash which resulted in the collapse of various Capital Market Operators. In spite of the tough operating environment, Greenwich was able to cut its losses and reverse its negative balance sheet position while also ensuring that clients’ portfolio positions were positively reversed.  As a result of the economic downturn, Greenwich also learnt the significance of mitigating risk by adhering to Enterprise Risk Management policy.

Greenwich are very happy and proud to report that they are well on their way to realizing a vision to be the leading financial solutions provider. In their respective business functions, which include Financial Advisory, Issuing House, Securities Dealing and Asset Management, Greenwich has proven over the years, to be a top contender in the Nigerian financial market space.

Greenwich has always been able to provide bespoke financial solutions to clients seeking Advisory and Capital Raising Services. One such milestone includes the Bond Issuance Programme embarked on, to settle the Federal Government of Nigeria Local Contractors Debts. The standard and timely manner with which mandates are executed has led to the retainership of Greenwich by some State Governments and notable organizations as their Financial Advisers.

On the Securities Dealing arm, Greenwich is one of the ten equity and fixed income Market Makers in Nigeria. It is worthy to note that this is the only Investment Bank making market in both equity and fixed income.

At Greenwich, the ability to deliver transactions timely, empathy with clients, business ethics, professional and personal integrity as well as good relationship management has made the Bank distinct from their competitors. Greenwich has a Board that has been able to shape the quality and character of the company through its leadership, caring for its employees and emphasizing the need for a work-life balance. Greenwich has also been very fortunate to have a good, dedicated and focused Management team who are very passionate about the Company.

Greenwich always strives to create value for clients by providing solutions specific to their needs, working closely to identify the best execution route and providing advice from start to finish. Greenwich leverages on its track record as a leading Investment Bank and also its existing relationships with local and foreign investors to ensure clients’ strategic objectives are actualized.

Greenwich takes the view that the Nigerian Capital Market has the propensity to outperform other markets around the world in 2013. The anticipated performance of the Nigerian Capital Market in the coming year is based on the developments and reforms currently taking place in Nigeria. These developments include:

• Equity Market – The demutualization of the NSE, establishment of the NASD trading platform, proposed listing of communication companies and anticipated decrease in transaction cost is expected to increase stockbroking activities.
• Fixed Income – The inclusion of FGN bonds in the Barclays Bank Emerging Markets Bond Index is expected to stabilize the Bond Market as Greenwich expects current FGN bonds to be re-priced leading to increased activities on the fixed income desk.
• Business opportunities are being created for the Financial Advisory division by leveraging on the power sector privatization as the Bank envisages offshore investment appetite in the Energy Sector.

The embrace of Public Private Partnership (PPP) by State governments also envisages more developmental and infrastructural mandates by State Governments and Parastatals.