Banking
Moody’s Affirms First Bank’s Deposit Ratings, Predicts Drop in NPL Ratio
By Dipo Olowookere
The B2/Not Prime long-term and short-term local currency deposit ratings of First Bank of Nigeria Limited have been affirmed by Moody’s Investors Service.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and obtained by Business Post, the rating agency said it also affirmed the lender’s B3/Not Prime long-term and short-term foreign currency deposit ratings.
At the same time, Moody’s has affirmed the bank’s B2/Not Prime long-term and short-term, local currency and foreign currency Counterparty Risk Ratings (CRR) and its baseline credit assessment (BCA) and adjusted BCA at b3, while changing the outlook on long-term ratings to stable from negative.
Moody’s explained that the affirmation of First Bank’s ratings was driven by the bank’s moderate capital, resilient pre-provision profitability and a stable funding profile. These strengths are counterbalanced by lender’s still high stock of nonperforming loans (NPLs) compared to other large Nigerian banks, reflecting relatively modest progress in reducing its NPLs.
It also noted that the decision to change the outlook to stable from negative reflects Moody’s view that, while NPLs remain elevated, downside risks to asset quality have considerably diminished following remedial steps taken by the bank and should slowly decline going forward.
In particular, Moody’s noted emphasised that First Bank reduced its foreign currency denominated loans and efforts are underway to reduce single-name concentrations, adding that the improving operating environment, especially in relation to oil prices and the bank’s significant exposure to the upstream oil and gas sector, will also help prevent formation of large stocks of new NPLs.
Moody’s said it expects that the bank’s NPL ratio to reduce further, most plausibly at a slow pace over several quarters, as the bank hopes to resolve its current large problematic loans gradually because of the long time it tends to take to foreclose on collateral in Nigeria.
Moody’s said First Bank benefits from its modest capital, with a ratio of tangible common equity to risk weighted assets at 12.2 percent as of December 2017.
The bank’s pre-provision profitability remains resilient at 4.2 percent at year-end 2017, with Moody’s expecting the lender to maintain its solid pre-provision profitability, supported by its high net interest margins and non-interest income that is benefiting from the bank’s growing alternative channels strategy.
In addition, the rating agency assesses the bank’s funding profile as stable, supported by its large stock of liquid assets and moderate reliance on market funding.
However, First Bank’s strengths are moderated by its high NPLs compared to its Nigerian peers (Nigerian large banks). Despite improvements in its NPLs, the gap between the bank’s NPLs at 20.5 percent as of June 2018 and that of its local peers, at an average of 5.6 percent, remains wide.
“The high NPLs reflect the bank’s relatively still large sectoral and single-name concentration risks and its legacy exposure to the oil and gas industry which created high NPLs during the oil price downturn in 2016.
“Also, the bank’s foreign currency loan book remains high at 48 percent of its total loans as of June 2018,” the statement said.
It added that First Bank continues to make progress in improving its asset quality as the NPL ratio reduced to 20.5 percent as of June 2018, from a peak of 24.2 percent at year-end 2016.
Moody’s says it expects the NPL ratio to gradually fall to 12-15 percent range within the next 12-18 months, driven largely by the on-going balance sheet de-risking and a more favourable operating environment, which will help prevent the formation of new impaired loans.
The bank reduced its foreign currency loan book by 36 percent between 2015 and 2017, adjusted for naira devaluation. The better operating environment, including the current high oil prices, will support performance of First Bank’s large exposure to the upstream oil and gas sector because a majority of these exposures have been restructured on assumption of lower oil price.
The rating agency also expects the lender to benefit from its enhanced risk management governance that resulted in tighter controls and better underwriting standards.
“Moody’s expects better risk management processes will improve the quality of FBN’s new loans and reduce concentration risks.
“First Bank’s loan book, which contracted 7 percent between June 2018 and year-end 2017, will also help contain new NPL formation.
“However, Moody’s expects a moderate recovery in loan growth in the next 12-18 months. The bank increased its ratio of provisions to NPLs to 82 percent, which is now in line with global peers,” it said.
The rating agency noted the bank’s improvements in its foreign currency liquidity. By cutting back foreign-currency lending and paying off some its borrowings, saying First Bank will improve the coverage of its foreign currency borrowings by liquid foreign currency assets (cash and bank balances, loans due from banks and securities for trading) to about 2.5x from 1.9x at year-end 2017.
Moody’s stressed that the bank’s ratings could be upgraded if its asset risk metrics continue to improve toward the median of other large Nigerian banks, adding that the ratings could also be upgraded if Nigeria’s sovereign rating is upgraded.
However, it warned that the ratings could be downgraded if there is a deterioration of the bank’s asset quality metrics that would place negative pressure on its earnings and capital buffers.
“A downgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign rating would also exert pressure on the bank’s ratings,” the statement said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new vehicle financing initiative designed to allow funding support of up to 90 per cent of a vehicle’s value and repayment tenures of more than four years has been introduced by Access Bank Plc.
This is part of the lender’s vehicle asset financing programme aimed at expanding access to vehicle ownership and mobility services across the country.
Application for the service is through a digital process, the bank’s Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking Division, Ms Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, disclosed.
Customers can access vehicles from top distributors like CIG Motors, Mikano Motors, Kewalram Motors, Stallion Motors, Elizade JAC, CFAO and other mobility dealers. They can purchase both new and certified pre-owned vehicles through a single process, she added.
“You apply online, and you go home with the keys to your car already in your pocket,” Ms Soji-Okusanya stated, noting that for businesses, the initiative will provide access to vehicles needed for operations while helping dealers improve inventory turnover and unlock capital tied down in unsold stock.
While explaining how the process works, the Group Head of Access Bank Mobility, Mr Ishmael Nwokocha, said the bank spent the last six months engaging dealers and other stakeholders in the automotive value chain before rolling out the programme.
According to him, Nigeria records annual vehicle sales of about 100,000 units, with only about 10 per cent being brand-new vehicles, while the remaining 90 per cent are pre-owned vehicles, adding that rising vehicle prices have significantly reduced affordability for many Nigerians.
“What are we offering today? Come with 10 per cent equity contribution, and we’ll finance the 90 per cent,” Mr Nwokocha said, noting that customers would also have access to insurance, after-sales services, and a digital loan application process that allows applicants, dealers and the bank to monitor progress.
He said the initiative extends beyond individual consumers to corporate organisations, schools, hospitals and other businesses requiring vehicle fleets, revealing plans to expand financing access to operators in the ride-hailing and transport sectors that are currently outside the formal banking system.
On her part, the Group Head of Product and Segment at Access Bank, Ms Chizoba Iheme, said the bank had put measures in place to support customers who encounter financial difficulties during the repayment period, explaining that affected borrowers could seek loan restructuring rather than risk losing their vehicles immediately.
“So long as the vehicle is still valid, it’s still running on the road, we can look at your finance, and then we’ll repackage your loan,” she said, also clarifying that customers are not required to maintain loans for the full approved tenor and can repay outstanding obligations earlier if they choose.
On the scope of the programme, she said financing is available to individuals, corporates and small businesses seeking vehicles for commercial or operational use.
The Managing Director of CIG Motors, Ms Eniola Olutimilehin, whose company is one of the participating dealers, said the partnership would help connect vehicle buyers with financing while supporting mobility and business operations.
She said the collaboration is expected to improve access to vehicles for individuals and entrepreneurs requiring transportation assets for personal and commercial activities.
By Adedapo Adesanya
African payments infrastructure giant, Paystack, has taken an early step into AI-driven commerce with the launch of Paystack Index, a platform that allows users to complete transactions through AI assistants.
The move signals the company’s ambition to power payments in an emerging era where chatbots could become a primary channel for shopping and financial services. It makes Paystack among the first African fintechs attempting to integrate payments directly into AI workflows.
In a statement on Thursday, the payments giant announced the experimental product developed by Paystack with product support from TSG Labs, the venture studio and emerging technology arm of The Stack Group.
Paystack Index builds on existing Paystack products, such as Paystack Checkout, by giving Zap users in Nigeria a new way to check out with supported Paystack merchants via AI agents.
The product is launching in early access as Paystack learns how people want to use AI agents to get things done, starting with familiar tasks like buying airtime and mobile data, funding wallets, sending money, and paying for food.
Paystack Index is live in Nigeria and currently works with supported AI clients, including Claude, ChatGPT, and OpenClaw. At launch, it supports airtime and mobile data purchases across major Nigerian networks, transfers via Zap, and food ordering through Chowdeck.
With Paystack Index, users can ask a supported AI agent to complete a task. Index interprets the request, routes it to the right provider or supported Paystack merchant, processes the transaction through Zap and Paystack’s payment infrastructure, and helps the user complete checkout securely within the AI experience.
Users remain in control of what they authorise. Index only acts on requests that users send through their chosen AI agent and within the permissions and limits they set. Index does not store card numbers, CVVs, PINs, or bank account credentials, and transactions are processed through Paystack’s secure payment infrastructure.
“Paystack has always focused on helping businesses get paid safely and reliably, wherever their customers are,” said Mr Shola Akinlade, CEO of Paystack. “As AI agents become a more common way for people to search, decide, and take action, we think checkout has to evolve too. Paystack Index is an early experiment in extending Paystack’s checkout infrastructure into AI experiences, starting with users in Nigeria and a few supported merchants and services.”
“The goal is simple: help users complete everyday transactions more easily, while keeping authorisation, permissions, and payment processing on trusted Paystack rails,” he added.
Paystack said since the product is not fully due for general rollout, it will continue to test how users interact with AI agents for commerce, how merchants can safely participate in AI-led checkout experiences, and what infrastructure will be needed as this behaviour evolves.
Paystack Index is now live in Nigeria in early access, with more features, supported merchants, billers, and African markets coming soon. Users in Nigeria can get started with Paystack Index at paystack.com/index.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To deepen financial inclusion and bring financial services to underserved persons in the country, Zenith Bank Plc has opened a new branch in Osubi in the Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.
This has made Zenith Bank the first commercial bank to establish a presence in the Osubi community. The branch is the 19th of Zenith Bank in the Niger Delta state.
The chief executive of Zenith Bank, Ms Adaora Umeoji, during the commissioning of the branch on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for supporting business operators.
She described the Osubi branch as a milestone in Zenith Bank’s enduring relationship with the state, reiterating the company’s commitment to serving underserved communities and to empowering individuals, businesses, women entrepreneurs, and SMEs through innovative banking solutions, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives.
The banker expressed optimism that the new branch would serve as a catalyst for economic activity in Osubi and its surrounding communities, supporting the broader development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his unwavering support and partnership, and for finding time to personally commission the branch today.
“His generous donation of the land on which this branch is built is a testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering private sector investment and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“Since assuming office, the Governor has driven significant infrastructure and socio-economic development across the state, and Zenith Bank is proud to contribute to that progress through this new branch in Osubi,” Ms Umeoji stated.
In his remarks, Mr Oborevwori described the new branch as “a clear vote of confidence in the economic potential of our state, pointing out that it shows that the investments we have made in infrastructure, economic development, and ease of doing business are producing tangible results.
“When a leading financial institution such as Zenith Bank expands its presence in Delta State, it sends a powerful message that Delta State is open for business and ready for greater investment.”
He also underscored the branch’s significance to the host community, noting that “this branch is the only bank in the whole of Okpe Local Government as it is today. The significance of this bank to our people cannot be overemphasised, because of the impact it will have on the economy of this local government.”
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