Diamondâs Atlas Mara Receives Approaches for Africa Assets May 06 2021, 11:11 AM May 05 2021, 9:46 PM May 06 2021, 11:11 AM (Bloomberg) -- Atlas Mara Ltd., the pan-African banking group started by Bob Diamond, has drawn interest from Nigerian and Middle Eastern lenders for its remaining assets on the continent, according to people familiar with the matter. (Bloomberg) -- Atlas Mara Ltd., the pan-African banking group started by Bob Diamond, has drawn interest from Nigerian and Middle Eastern lenders for its remaining assets on the continent, according to people familiar with the matter. The London-listed group has received a number of approaches for its 49.97% holding in Lagos-based Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, the people said, asking not to be identified as the talks are private. Nigeriaâs Zenith Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc are among suitors that have expressed interest, alongside other African rivals such as Moroccoâs Attijariwafa Bank, the people said.