Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited has refuted reports making the round that it gave out gift items to its clients last December in defiance of the directive of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).
Brand Spur Nigeria recalls that in order to stop unhealthy competition in the pension industry in the country, PenCom directed operators to stop luring customers with incentives.
However, it was reported that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, which controls over 1.9 million retirement savings accounts (RSAs) and over N4.5 trillion in assets under management, gave out loyalty gift vouchers in December 2022.
Refuting the allegation, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited via s statement made available to Brand Spur Nigeria described the reports as “unfounded, incorrect, and defamatory,” adding that it is “a fabrication of reckless journalism.”
Statement reads thus, “Our attention has been drawn to publications by some unguarded sections of the media wherein certain unfounded, incorrect, and defamatory assertions are being peddled about Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers.
“The alleged falsehoods stated that Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers continued to offer incentives to Retirement Savings Account holders contrary to the directives issued by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in a bid to retain their accounts and win over accounts from competition.
“The publications specifically stated that gift vouchers worth hundreds of millions of naira were given out to certain public and private sector clients in December 2022, disregarding PenCom’s directive to all Pension Fund Managers with the goal to end “unhealthy competition” within the industry.
“Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers would like to clarify that this news is false and does not represent our ethos and values as an institution. The publication is a fabrication of reckless journalism, and it is our responsibility to clarify any misconception or doubts in the minds of the general public.
“Further to PenCom’s directive in October 2022, our clients were notified of the directive and its subsequent implications leading to the discontinuation of our Loyalty Programme on 05 November 2022 as approved by PenCom.
“To further reinforce our commitment and alignment with PenCom’s directives, we partnered with PenCom’s representatives to sensitise clients on this development at our annual clients’ engagement fora held in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, late 2022.
“As a major stakeholder and the largest pension fund administrator in Nigeria managing over 1.9 million retirement savings accounts and over N4.5 trillion in assets under management, our organisation has a responsibility to uphold the highest operational and ethical standards for operators in the industry.
“Stanbic IBTC remains resolute in its position and would like to reiterate that it conducts its business with integrity in compliance with extant laws of the operating environment and international best practices. We will continue to do business the right way”.
