Banking
GCR Affirms Union Bank’s BBB+(NG) Rating
By Dipo Olowookere
The national scale ratings of BBB+(NG) and A2(NG) in the long and short term respectively assigned to Union Bank of Nigeria Plc by Global Credit Ratings (GCR) have been affirmed.
The ratings, placed on Rating Watch, are valid until January 2018, GCR said in a statement issued last week.
Explaining why the ratings were affirmed, GCR said Union Bank maintained a relatively stable market share of 3.6 percent (in terms of total assets), ranking UBN among Nigeria’s mid-tier banks.
After its recapitalisation in 2012, the bank embarked on a transformation journey to become one of the country’s leading mid-sized banks by 2018, a strategy management actively pursued in FY16.
Total shareholders’ funds grew 10.1 percent to N271.7 billion at FY16.
However, the bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) declined to 13.3 percent (FY15: 15.3 percent), falling below the regulatory minimum of 15 percent.
CAR was impacted by an increase in risk weighted assets, caused by naira devaluation during the period.
To strengthen capitalisation, management is in the process of raising additional capital of about N50 billion by way of a Rights Issue. This is expected to be concluded before the end of FY17.
The bank’s gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio remained relatively stable at FY16 (6.9 percent vs. 6.7 percent at FY15), but above Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) tolerable limit of 5 percent.
Specific provision coverage of impaired loans reduced to 40 percent from 44.6 percent at FY15, while total coverage stood at 182 percent at FY16.
Management continue to focus on NPL recoveries, amidst a tightening credit risk granting criteria. Total recoveries as at 1H FY17 stood at N1.7 billion.
UBN’s regulatory liquidity ratio ranged between 33 percent and 44 percent throughout FY16, and averaged 40 percent (FY15: 45 percent) for the period, against a regulatory minimum of 30 percent.
The bank’s liquid asset to short term funding ratio declined to 21.5 percent (FY15: 23.9 percent), albeit comparing favourably with peers. Liquidity across the industry was impacted by increase in banks’ cash reserve ratio during the period.
Profit before tax for the bank, which grew 6.7 percent to N15.7 billion (in line with budget), was underpinned by 7.8 percent and 9.3 percent growth in interest and non-interest income respectively.
However, profitability was constrained by an increase in operating expenses and impairments. Operating expenses grew on the back of higher staff and IT costs, while impairments were largely impacted by foreign currency movement.
As a result, return on average equity and assets stood at 6.1 percent and 1.4 percent in FY16, from 6.2 percent and 1.4 percent in FY15 respectively.
Annualised pre-tax profit as at 1H FY17 is reflected ahead of budget and that of same period in FY16, largely supported by growth in non-interest income.
GCR explained that the Rating Watch reflects UBN’s current CAR position and the planned capital raising for FY17. Global Credit Rating will reassess the ratings immediately after year-end.
The rating may be reviewed upward following a sustained improvement in profitability, liquidity and market share. Also, an improvement in asset quality metrics such that it falls within the tolerable limit may be favourably considered.
A downward review of the rating may result from the bank’s continued inability to meet the regulatory required CAR, and/or further decline in liquidity and/or asset quality metrics.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Technology leaders from across Nigeria’s digital finance ecosystem recently converged on Eko Convention Centre in Lagos to explore pathways for expanding credit access to underserved communities.
It platform for this was the 2025 Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH) Annual Conference themed Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit. Interswitch was a returning gold sponsor.
At a high-impact panel session titled Alternative Credit Scoring for the Underserved, moderated by Wunmi Ogunbiyi of the CeBIH Advisory Council, the Divisional Head of Product Management and Solution Delivery at Verve International, a subsidiary of Interswitch Group, Mr Ademola Adeniran, examined how alternative data and digital intelligence can unlock credit for millions excluded by conventional financial models.
“For us, this conversation goes beyond technology. It is about designing credit systems that truly reflect African realities.
“Millions transact daily outside traditional banking frameworks, and alternative credit scoring enables us to recognise that economic activity and responsibly convert it into access to finance.
“At Verve and Interswitch, we are committed to building the digital infrastructure that makes this inclusion scalable and sustainable,” Mr Adeniran stated.
Also, the Vice President for Sales and Account Management, Digital Infrastructure and Managed Services at Interswitch Systegra, Ms Robinta Aluyi, stressed the importance of African-led solutions in addressing the continent’s financial challenges, noting that sustainable progress must be rooted in local realities.
Interswitch’s strength, she said, lies in the fact that it was built on the continent, for the continent, with solutions designed to serve individuals, small businesses, enterprises, and government institutions across every layer of the payment value chain.
She also emphasized the company’s purpose-driven approach to building the infrastructure that powers Africa’s digital economy and enabling secure money movement on a scale.
“Interswitch helps people navigate their daily lives with greater ease. We make transactions flow safely and reliably. We do this by connecting banks, supporting secure and reliable payments, and strengthening the entire value chain of digital finance.
“Today, we hold a significant portion of the market, and that achievement reflects the deep trust our banking and fintech partners place in our platforms. We continue to deliver because the ecosystem has worked with us every step of the way,” Ms Aliyu said.
There were also contributions from Munachimso Duru, Head, Products, Partnership and Innovation, Afrigopay Financial Services Limited; Damola Giwa, Country Manager, Visa West Africa; Nike Kolawole, representing Aisha Abdullahi, Executive Director, Credit and Portfolio Management, CREDICORP; and Ifeanyi Chukuwekem, Head, Corporate Strategy Department, eTranzact, offering a broad industry perspective on the future of responsible credit delivery.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued final operating licences to 82 Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators under its revised regulatory framework.
In a statement released on Monday, signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, the apex bank said the licences took effect from November 27, 2025, under the 2024 Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for BDC Operations in Nigeria.
BDCs are instrumental to the foreign exchange market, as their activity could help regulate demand and cover supply deficits.
The apex lender also cautioned the public against dealing with unlicensed foreign exchange operators.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria, in exercise of its powers under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the 2024 Guidelines, has granted final licences to 82 Bureaux De Change to operate with effect from November 27, 2025,” a part of the statement read.
The central bank stressed that only BDCs listed on its official website are recognised as licensed operators and urged the public to verify the status of any BDC before transacting.
“While the CBN will continue to update the list of Bureaux De Change with valid operating licences for public verification on our website, the Bank advises the general public to avoid dealing with unlicensed Foreign Exchange Operators,” the statement warned.
The bank also noted that operating a BDC without a valid licence is punishable under Section 57(1) of the BOFIA 2020 and promised legal action against illegal operators.
This licensing exercise is part of CBN’s broader efforts to sanitise the foreign exchange market as well as enhance transparency, and ensure that only credible players operate in the sector.
A 2024 guideline, which became effective in June 2024, requires all BDCs to reapply for Tier 1 or Tier 2 licences and meet minimum capital requirements, N2 billion for Tier 1 and N500 million for Tier 2, alongside non-refundable license fees of N5 million and N2 million, respectively.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Stanbic IBTC Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have sealed a strategic partnership to deepen sustainable economic growth.
The deal allows the subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc to provide greater resilience and expand access to finance for businesses that drive job creation and national development.
A statement noted that the Nigerian lender has been given access to funding support to channel long‑term funding into critical areas of the Nigerian economy, including trade, infrastructure, and small and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs).
This collaboration also The underscores Stanbic IBTC’s dedication to environmental and social responsibility, ensuring that all funding is deployed in line with international best practice and the bank’s robust sustainability framework as evidenced by the Independent Project Monitoring Company’s (IPMC) ranking of Stanbic IBTC as one of the leading institutions in its latest sustainability rankings.
This recognition underscores the bank’s continuing commitment to advancing sustainable practices that benefit the environment and society.
“This agreement reflects our forward‑looking strategy to support the sectors that matter most to Nigeria’s future.
“Our focus is on empowering businesses, enabling sustainable growth, and ensuring that our financial system remains strong enough to meet the evolving needs of the economy,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Wole Adeniyi, stated.
Also speaking, the Director General of AFDB Nigeria, Mr Abdul Kamara, said, “Working with Stanbic IBTC aligns with our mission to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation. This collaboration ensures the bank can continue to play a pivotal role in financing infrastructure and sustainable development projects in Nigeria.”
Stanbic IBTC Bank has consistently demonstrated leadership through innovation in structured finance, digital transformation, and the integration of sustainability principles into its operations.
This latest step reaffirms its role as a thought leader in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and highlights its commitment to building a more resilient and prosperous future for the country.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn