Access Bank Plc (ACCESS), a Nigerian lender, headed for the strongest close in a week after saying its plans to buy Intercontinental Bank Plc (INTERCON) will be completed next year.

The stock gained 17 kobo, or 3 percent, to 5.80 naira by 11:54 a.m. in Lagos. A close at this price will be its highest since Aug. 26.

The two banks will become one entity in October 2012, Access Chief Executive Officer Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said yesterday. Intercontinental is one of the eight lenders bailed out in 2009 by the Central Bank of Nigeria following a debt crisis.

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