Banking
Fitch Upgrades UBA to ‘B+’ with Stable Outlook
By Dipo Olowookere
Fitch Ratings has upgraded United Bank for Africa Plc’s (UBA) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B+’ from ‘B’ with a stable outlook, a statement from the firm has said.
It was stated that UBA’s Viability Rating (VR) has also been upgraded to ‘b+’ from ‘b’, reflecting an improvement in the bank’s performance metrics and funding and liquidity profile, which the rating agency considers to be sustainable.
According to the statement, UBA’s strong capital ratios, increasingly diversified funding base and well managed liquidity mean that its risk profile is now more closely aligned with those of Zenith Bank and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), both rated ‘B+’.
Fitch said UBA’s IDRs are driven by its intrinsic creditworthiness, as defined by its VR and like all Nigerian banks, UBA’s VR is constrained by the operating environment in Nigeria (B+/Stable) where the fragile economic recovery restrains banks’ growth prospects and asset quality.
The VR reflects UBA’s position as one of Nigeria’s largest banks, as well as its sound financial metrics and reasonable capital buffers. It controls an overall market share in Nigeria of approximately 10% and its well-established franchise is a rating strength, it said.
Fitch noted that operating conditions are still difficult for banks and despite stronger oil prices in 2H18 supporting economic growth, credit demand is weak and banks face pressure on margins and capital.
UBA is also Nigeria’s most international bank, operating in 20 other sub-Saharan African countries. Its objective is to operate as a pan-African commercial bank.
“Our assessment is that geographic diversification is credit positive because it provides growth opportunities and can reduce exposure to Nigeria’s cyclical economic growth trends but it also adds complexity, especially considering the high risk environment associated with many sub-Saharan African countries. This also constrains the VR.
“International subsidiaries contributed 40% of group earnings in 1H18, but Nigerian assets dominate the group, representing around 70% of consolidated assets,” Fitch said.
Corporate lending dominates the loan book and large borrower concentrations are high, as is common in Nigeria. This exposes the group to potentially high losses in the event of default. The top 20 loans represented approximately 42% of total end-1H18 loans. Positively, exposure to the oil sector represented 20% of total loans, below the 30% sector average. Retail lending, representing 7% of total loans at end-1H18, is developing steadily. Impaired loans represented 7.2% of gross loans at end-1H18, slightly higher than the 5% average for its closest peers. Loan loss cover at approximately 95% is reasonable, but not outstanding, the statement said.
Fitch said UBA’s local currency funding profile is a rating strength. Its loans/deposits ratio (57% at end-1H18) is low compared with peers (69%). The deposit base is well diversified by single customer and retail deposits represent approximately one-third of customer deposits, which is higher than the average for rated peers.
UBA’s digital offerings continue to attract deposit inflows. Local currency liquidity ratios are comfortable and the issue of a $500 million senior medium-term bond on the international capital markets in June 2017 eased pressure on the group’s overall foreign currency liquidity position.
“UBA’s Fitch Core Capital/weighted risks ratio (24.9% at end-1H18) is among the highest in the sector. However, capital and leverage are not considered to be outstanding compared with Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank because UBA’s risk-weight density is lower and concentrations at UBA can be high, especially at the subsidiaries. This could lead to potential unexpected losses.
“UBA’s earnings and profitability trends show signs of improvement and have been stable for many years, which we view positively. Our expectation is that performance trends will continue to strengthen, based on growing contributions from international subsidiaries and increased stability in Nigeria.
“UBA’s National Ratings reflect its creditworthiness relative to Nigeria’s best credit and relative to peers operating in Nigeria,” the statement said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, has said lower interest rates and the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise would significantly boost the bank’s credit expansion in 2026.
He noted that Nigeria was entering 2026 with stronger economic momentum as reforms begin to stabilise markets, lift investor confidence and unlock new growth opportunities.
Mr Alebiosu made this disclosure while speaking at the lender’s Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, a hybrid forum in Lagos.
He said the outlook reflected a gradual but clear economic recalibration, driven by policy discipline, financial sector reforms and renewed momentum in productive sectors.
According to him, in spite of inflationary pressures, currency realignments and external shocks, Nigeria had demonstrated resilience through innovation and structural reforms. This, he added, had positioned the economy for sustained recovery.
Mr Alebiosu said the annual forum had evolved into a strategic platform for shaping ideas, sharing insights and identifying pathways for inclusive and sustainable growth amid global uncertainty.
He reaffirmed the bank’s commitment, noting that the institution’s 131-year legacy remained anchored on supporting national development through strong capital buffers, digital transformation and effective financial intermediation.
“Nigeria’s competitiveness will depend on disciplined reforms, investment in human capital, scalable infrastructure and strong public-private collaboration,” he said.
He added that effective partnerships between government and the private sector would be critical to unlocking growth opportunities, while the forum’s sessions would offer practical guidance on managing volatility and identifying growth-driving sectors.
He said Nigeria was entering a new phase of macroeconomic stability.
The First Bank MD said this is supported by easing inflation, stronger manufacturing output and renewed investor confidence, adding that lower interest rates and the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise would significantly boost credit expansion in 2026.
“Banks now have more liquidity and the environment is improving. Lending will naturally increase, provided we avoid reckless credit decisions,” he said.
Mr Alebiosu urged Nigerians in the diaspora to reconsider holding savings in foreign currencies, noting that returns on naira-denominated assets were increasingly outperforming foreign holdings.
“With an appreciating naira, keeping money abroad is a waste of time,” he said.
He also cited rising industrial activity and the decentralisation of power generation as key catalysts for real-sector growth, adding that falling food and fuel prices indicated easing market distortions.
According to him, stronger external reserves and rising foreign inflows have improved Nigeria’s buffers against volatile capital movements.
“If $10 billion in hot money leaves today, we can pay and not blink,” Mr Alebiosu said.
He projected economic growth of between seven and 10 per cent in 2026, including during the election period, which will buffer the sector against any crisis.
“There will be no crisis. The economy is racing, and after the election you will see accelerated growth far higher than we have ever seen,” he added.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The digital banking arm of Wema Bank Plc, ALAT, is scheduled for an upgrade this month, a statement from the lender has revealed.
Tagged ALAT: The Evolution, Wema Bank said it is adding more features to the platform to once again redefine the future of banking and set the standard on the next chapter in the industry.
With ALAT: The Evolution, the company is pushing the envelope even further, saying it represents a thoughtful evolution of everything users already love about ALAT; redesigned to feel more intuitive, more responsive, and more personal.
From faster interactions, to a smarter understanding of user behavior, to the introduction of SAW (Smart ALAT by Wema, an AI assistant on the ALAT App), the upgraded ALAT will show how far digital banking has come, and how much further it can go when innovation is intentional.
When ALAT by Wema first launched in 2017, it made history as Africa’s first fully digital bank, changing how millions of people viewed and experienced banking.
With the upgraded version of ALAT, Wema Bank is again reaffirming its position as the most innovative bank in the banking industry.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Congo has appointed Mr Adeboye Ayewamide as its new chief executive, following regulatory approval from the Central Bank of the Congo.
Mr Ayewamide succeeds Mr Arinze Osuachala, who led the bank for eight years.
In a press release, Access Bank said Mr Osuachala’s tenure marked a shift for the institution, transforming it from a small franchise into a profitable and well-capitalised bank. During this period, the bank recorded steady balance sheet growth, strengthened its revenue base, and maintained capital levels above regulatory requirements.
Mr Ayewamide brings over 18 years of banking experience across commercial banking, operations, risk management, customer experience, and technology transformation. He has held several leadership roles within the Access Bank Group, with a track record focused on execution and institutional growth.
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Wharton, IMD, and Lagos Business School, and holds a Chartered MBA from Bangor University as well as an MBA in Finance from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Under the outgoing leadership, Access Bank Congo expanded its network from 2 to 22 locations nationwide and upgraded its core systems to improve operations and service delivery.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr Aubin N’semy Mabanza, stated, “We are pleased to welcome Mr Adeboye Ayewamide as the new Managing Director of Access Bank DRC SA. His leadership experience, strategic depth and human-centric approach ideally position him to lead the Bank into its next phase of growth.
The Board also expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr Osuachala for his exemplary leadership and the remarkable progress made during his tenure, which has significantly strengthened the Bank’s financial strength and strategic relevance.
Mr Ayewamide expresses enthusiasm, stating, “It is an honour to lead Access Bank RDC SA at this crucial time. I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to build on the strong foundation already in place, accelerate innovation, deepen financial inclusion, and deliver sustainable value to our customers and communities.”
“Leading Access Bank DRC SA has been a privilege. I am proud of the transformation we have accomplished together and grateful for the commitment of our teams, the support of our regulators and the trust of our customers. I am confident that the Bank will continue to prosper under Mr Ayewamide’s leadership,” Mr Osuachala reflected.
Access Bank RDC SA is entering a new stage of strategic execution and expansion with this leadership change as it aims to become the most reputable African bank in the world.
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