NOTICE OF LATE FILING OF 2016 YEAR END ACCOUNTS

March 31, 2017

STATEMENT ON LATE FILING OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016

We refer to the above.

This is to inform members of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), esteemed shareholders and other stakeholders that Diamond Bank Plc is unable to release its 2016 audited financial statements by March 31, 2017 as required of us by NSE rules.

We have been notified that due to the stage of review of our accounts by the Central Bank of Nigeria, it is unlikely that this will be concluded in time for us to comply with the NSE and other regulatory rules guiding release of annual audited accounts.

We have therefore sought the approval of the NSE and the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) for a delayed release. We are however optimistic that the accounts will be made available before or by April 30, 2017.

Please bear with us.

NKECHI NWOSU

Company Secretary/Legal Adviser 

Ref: CSLA/NN/31/03/17

March 31, 2017

The Director-General

Securities & Exchange Commission

SEC Tower, Plot 272, Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street

Central Business District

Garki,

Abuja.

Dear Sir,

REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO FILE 2016 FULL YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OUTSIDE THE PERIOD SPECIFIED BY THE RULES

We refer to the above and hereby inform the Commission that due to ongoing review of the Bank's Audited Financial Statements for 2016 financial year by the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), the final approval of the Financial Statement may be delayed due to additional internal processes it will be subjected to by the CBN.

Consequently, the Bank will be unable to release the full financial statements to the Commission within 90 days of the end of a fiscal year as stipulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules (SEC Rule). This is because release of financial statements by Banks is usually predicated on getting the approval of the CBN.

We therefore Seek approval to release the 2016 financial statements on or before April 30, 2017, outside the time frame specified by the SEC Rules.

Yours faithfully,

For: DIAMOND BANK PLC

NKECHI NWOSU

Company Secretary/Legal AdviserClick on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document.http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5587B_-2017-4-4.pdf