Banking

Fitch Sees Improvement in Ecobank Nigeria’s Profitability

Published

4 years ago

26/01/2022

By Dipo Olowookere

Ecobank Nigeria is expected to record a moderate improvement in profitability, a notable rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has submitted.

The rating firm made this submission based on the receding asset-quality pressures and lower loan impairment charges (LICs) of the financial institution.

In a statement to announce affirming the lender’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B-‘ with a stable outlook, Fitch said Ecobank’s loans have declined in recent years and it does not see a high risk of the largest Stage 2 loans, which are concentrated within the oil and gas sector, of becoming impaired.

It noted that its asset-quality assessment is positively influenced by a substantial amount of non-loan assets, largely comprising government securities and cash reserves at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Also, the rating company simultaneously upgraded the bank’s National Short-Term Rating to ‘F2(nga)’ from ‘F3(nga)’, noting that the IDRs of Ecobank Nigeria are driven by its standalone creditworthiness, as expressed by its Viability Rating (VR) of ‘b-‘.

It stated that the bank has a moderate market share of Nigeria’s banking-sector assets but its franchise benefits from being a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a large pan-African banking group with operations spanning 33 countries across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

In the statement, Fitch said it observed that Ecobank’s total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 19.6 per cent at the end of the first quarter of 2021 maintains a comfortable buffer above the 10 per cent regulatory requirement for a bank with a national licence and the bank’s tangible leverage ratio of 10.7 per cent at the end of the first quarter of 2021 which compares favourably with that of peers.

Impaired loans net of specific loan loss allowances represented a significant 46 per cent of Fitch Core Capital at end of the first quarter of last year but risks to capital are mitigated by strong collateral coverage and recovery expectations of the two large upstream impaired loans.

The bank’s low gross loans/customer deposits ratio of 67 per cent at the end of 2021 largely reflects a small loan book.

“Large cash reserves at the CBN, net interbank placements and unpledged central-government securities represented 33 per cent of total assets and 50 per cent of customer deposits at the end the first quarter of 2021 providing healthy liquidity coverage.

“Our funding and liquidity assessment also considers the benefits of ordinary liquidity support from ETI,” the statement said.

Fitch’s view of support for Ecobank Nigeria considered the high propensity of ETI to provide support, given the former’s importance to the parent’s pan-African strategy as its largest subsidiary and it is operating in sub–Saharan Africa’s largest economy.

It also considers the material reputational damage to ETI that would accompany Ecobank’s default, the 100 per cent ownership, a high degree of management and operational integration and a record of capital support.

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Dipo Olowookere

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Banking

See Nigerian Banks That Have Secured Their Licences

Published

6 hours ago

19/01/2026

Business Post Contributor

Nigeria’s banking sector is in the midst of one of its most transformative periods in decades. In March 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced a new minimum capital requirement for banks, prompting them to raise additional capital by 31 March 2026. The goal? Create larger, more resilient banks that can support big projects, strengthen the financial system, and help drive Nigeria toward a $1 trillion economy.

It is important for everyday customers, investors, and businesses to understand that the new capital requirement is at different levels: International, National, and Regional.

Banks That Have Secured International Licences

An international banking licence allows banks to operate beyond Nigeria’s borders and engage in cross-border transactions. To qualify, banks must meet a higher capital threshold — ₦500 billion in paid-up capital.

As of early 2026, the following banks met this requirement and secured their international licences:

Access Bank Plc
Fidelity Bank Plc
First Bank of Nigeria Ltd
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)
United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Zenith Bank Plc

Banks That Have Secured National Licences

A national banking licence allows operations across Nigeria but restricts international expansion. Banks need ₦200 billion in paid-up capital to secure this licence.

FCMB (First City Monument Bank) – currently pushing to raise additional capital to secure its international licence.
Wema Bank
Standard Chartered Bank (Nigeria)
Citibank Nigeria
Stanbic IBTC Bank
Sterling Bank
Globus Bank
Premium Trust Bank

Banking

VAT on USSD, Mobile Transfer Fees Not Introduced by Nigeria Tax Act—NRS

Published

4 days ago

15/01/2026

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has denied reports that customers performing financial transactions would pay a Value Added Tax (VAT) of 7.5 per cent from January 19, 2026.

Information about this emanated from messages sent out to customers of a financial institution, informing them of the new development in compliance of Nigeria’s new tax laws, especially the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.

It was claimed that Nigerians, as part of efforts of the government to generate more funds from taxes, would begin to pay VAT for the use of banking services like USSD and others.

But reacting in a statement signed by its management on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the tax collecting agency emphasised that the VAT collection for such services was not new.

It stressed that customers have always paid taxes for electronic money transfers and others, as this is charged on the fee, not from the main amount of the transaction.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service wishes to address and correct misleading narratives circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Value Added Tax (VAT has been newly introduced on banking services, fees, commissions, or electronic money transfers. This claim is categorically incorrect.

“VAT has always applied to fees, commissions, and charges for services rendered by banks and other financial institutions under Nigeria’s long-established VAT regime. The Nigeria Tax Act did not introduce VAT on banking charges, nor (sic) did it impose new tax obligation on customers in this regard.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service urges members of the public and all stakeholders to disregard misinformation and to rely exclusively on official communications for accurate, authoritative, and up-to-date tax information,” the statement read.

Business Post reports that what this basically means is that if a customer sends N10,000 and the bank charges N50 for the service, a 7.5 per cent VAT on the N50, which is N3.75, would be paid by the sender, not N750, which is 7.5 per cent of N10,000.

VAT on banking fees

Banking

Paystack Enters Banking Space With Ladder Microfinance Bank Acquisition

Published

5 days ago

14/01/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian-born payments company, Paystack, has announced its entry into the banking sector with the launch of Paystack Microfinance Bank (Paystack MFB) after the acquisition of Ladder Microfinance Bank.

The bank continues Paystack’s push into consumer products and adds a banking layer to its business-focused payment product, coming ten years after the company was founded with the goal of simplifying payments for businesses using modern technology.

In Nigeria alone, the company says its systems process trillions of Naira every month, supporting more than 300,000 businesses and millions of customers. According to Paystack, this growth highlighted a broader need beyond payments, prompting the decision to build a more comprehensive financial offering.

Paystack MFB will begin lending to businesses before expanding to consumers. It will also offer banking-as-a-service (BaaS) products to companies building financial products and treasury management products.

The company explained that while payments are a critical part of the financial journey, businesses and individuals increasingly require a full financial operating system. This includes the ability to store money securely, move funds easily, gain clarity from financial data, and access tools that support long-term growth. Developers, Paystack added, also need reliable, secure, and compliant infrastructure to build new financial solutions efficiently.

To address these needs, Paystack said it has established Paystack Microfinance Bank as a separate and independent entity from Paystack Payments Limited.

The new microfinance bank operates with its own license, governance structure, and product roadmap, although it will work closely with its sister company.

“By adding Paystack MFB to our family of brands, we’re finding the right balance through combining the rapid innovation of a tech-first platform with the stability of traditional banking,” said Ms Amandine Lobelle, Paystack’s chief operating officer.

Last year, it launched its controversial consumer payments app Zap, and now it is taking a step further with the company securing regulatory backing to become a deposit-taking institution. According to a statement, the bank will be guided by the same principles that shaped Paystack’s early success, including reliability, simplicity, transparency, and trust.

Paystack MFB has begun operations with a small group of early members and plans a gradual rollout to more businesses and individuals. The company also announced the opening of a waitlist for interested users and confirmed it is recruiting a dedicated team to help build its long-term banking infrastructure.