GTB Clears Air on Alleged Website Hack, Explains Why Site is Not Accessible

GTB Clears Air on Alleged Website Hack, Explains Why Site is Not Accessible

  • GTB has denied reports that hackers gained access to the Guaranty Trust Bank website
  • This happened on Wednesday night after the domain name renewal was extended till 2029
  • The event, according to a top GTBank executive, was caused by a connectivity issue rather than hacking

Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has over 3-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.

Reports that hackers took control of Guaranty Trust Bank's (GTBank) website have been refuted, with the bank characterising the allegations as wholly untrue.

GTB clears air on alleged website hack
A cybersecurity expert speculated that the problem might be related to compromised login credentials. Photo Credit: GTB
Source: Getty Images

This came after the bank's website, gtbank.com, went down on Wednesday night just one day after the domain name was renewed till 2029.

The iOS and Android mobile apps for GTBank carried on as usual in spite of the interruption.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Read also

After freezing 1,146 bank accounts, court gives new order on $37 million in crypto wallet

Although no hacker organisation has taken credit for the incident, there are rumours that a phishing attempt may have been made using a fake version of the website.

According to the Peoples Gazette, a cybersecurity expert speculated that rather than a domain hijack, the problem might be related to compromised login credentials.

Speaking with the Daily Post, a senior GTBank executive stated that the incident was not the result of hacking but rather of a connectivity problem, rejecting the claims of hacking.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the minimum capital required by banks operating in Nigeria has now been reviewed upward according to a directive by the apex bank.

The statement was signed by the director of the financial policy and regulation department, Haruna Mustafa.

The bank allowed 24 months (starting on April 1, 2024, and ending on March 31, 2026) to comply with the new rule in a statement to all commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks and promoters of planned banks.

Read also

“Interest is payable quarterly": FG invites Nigerians to invest in savings Bonds at just N1,000

GTbank sets new banking record

Legit.ng also reported that Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the parent company of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), recorded a profit after tax of N509.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024.

The amount is a 587.4% or six times increase when compared to N74 08 billion reported in the same period of 2023.

The profit recorded by GTBank is also the largest ever pre-tax profits in Nigerian banking history.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Zainab Iwayemi avatar

Zainab Iwayemi (Business Editor) Zainab Iwayemi is a business journalist with over 5 years experience reporting activities in the stock market, tech, insurance, banking, and oil and gas sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in Sociology from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. Before Legit.ng, she worked as a financial analyst at Nairametrics where she was rewarded for outstanding performance. She can be reached via zainab.iwayemi@corp.legit.ng