Wema Bank Plc was incorporated in May 1945 as a private limited liability company and commenced business operations as a commercial bank in the same year. The Bank was converted to a public limited liability company in April 1987 and was subsequently listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in January 1990. On February 5, 2001, the Central Bank of Nigeria granted a Universal Banking Licence to the Bank, and following the banking consolidation, Wema acquired National Bank plc.