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 Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some entrepreneurs across diverse sectors recently completed a three‑week intensive capacity‑building programme organised by Ecobank Nigeria, in partnership with DHL.
The event was put together to equip Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with the skills, tools, and insights required to scale beyond local markets and compete globally.
The focus was on critical growth enablers such as cross‑border trade, e‑commerce opportunities, logistics, customs procedures, and international shipping—key pillars for sustainable expansion in today’s increasingly connected global marketplace.
In one of the sessions, titled Trade and Grow Beyond Borders: Welcome to E‑commerce, the Relationship Channel Manager for DHL Customers/Global Express, Mr Charles Eke, underscored logistics as a critical success factor for SMEs, identifying key challenges such as access to finance, markets, and efficient logistics.
He also provided practical guidance on customs processes, international shipping, documentation, and shipment tracking, while emphasising the immense opportunities e‑commerce presents for cross‑border expansion.
According to him, international markets often offer greater growth potential than domestic markets for well‑positioned SMEs.
The Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs Omoboye Odu, described the programme as a catalyst for meaningful growth and mindset change.
“Over the past three weeks, something truly powerful has taken place. This programme has gone far beyond knowledge sharing—it has inspired new thinking and unlocked fresh possibilities for our SMEs. The message is clear: no business should be limited by geography,” she said.
Mrs Odu reiterated Ecobank’s deliberate focus on SMEs as key drivers of Africa’s economic development, saying, “Beyond building capacity, we are intentionally opening doors by connecting businesses to new markets and opportunities. With our presence in over 30 African countries, coupled with integrated payment, trade finance, and e‑commerce solutions, Ecobank is uniquely positioned as the Pan‑African bank enabling seamless cross‑border trade.”
One of the participants, Ms Dolapo Fatoki of Debsfray, a Lagos-based fashion brand, described the initiative as impactful, practical, and transformative.
“The sessions were highly informative. I gained a deeper understanding of documentation and pricing, two areas that previously posed major challenges for me. The collaboration between DHL and Ecobank has been exceptional and truly beneficial,” she noted.
Similarly, the Creative Director of FC Accessories, Mr Tosin Olukuade, described the programme as “an eye‑opener,” adding that it reshaped his approach to business growth.
“The insights I gained will help me scale my business exponentially. I am grateful to Ecobank and DHL for creating this opportunity,” he said.
Reflecting on the programme’s digital focus, the chief executive of Needle Point, Mrs Theresa Onwuka, highlighted how the sessions broadened her outlook on growth and innovation.
“The class was so good—it got my mind thinking of possibilities. My main takeaway is clear: digitalisation is the way forward,” she remarked.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and other financial institutions to submit monthly reports on failed electronic transactions across digital channels, as part of new compliance measures introduced in its revised Guide to Charges.
The directive was contained in a circular titled Exposure Draft of the Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria, 2026 (The Guide) and signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mrs Rita Sike.
According to the apex bank, Chief Compliance Officers and Heads of Information Technology in financial institutions are required to jointly render electronic reports of all failed transactions conducted via Automated Teller Machines, Point of Sale terminals, mobile channels, web platforms, and other electronic systems.
The circular read, “The Chief Compliance Officer and Head Information Technology shall jointly render monthly reports electronically, of all failed electronic transactions via various e-channels (ATM, PoS, mobile, web/internet and related channels) that originate or terminate in the institution.”
The reports are to be submitted to designated CBN email addresses, reinforcing the regulator’s push for stricter monitoring of service failures across the banking system.
Beyond the reporting requirement, the CBN also introduced broader accountability measures, placing responsibility on top management of financial institutions to ensure strict adherence to the new guide.
Executive Compliance Officers or Managing Directors are mandated to cascade compliance expectations across all business units and ensure that banking systems are configured to apply only approved charges.
Specifically, the regulator directed that Heads of Information Technology must ensure that “all systems configurations only capture and allow posting of charges as permitted and described in this Guide,” while Chief Compliance Officers are to monitor strict compliance with the framework.
The revised guide, effective May 1, 2026, replaces the 2020 version and provides a comprehensive framework for charges across banking and other financial services.
The CBN explained that the review was aimed at promoting a safe and sound financial system, encouraging innovation, and expanding financial inclusion through lower tariffs on micropayments and transactions.
It added that the revised framework would strengthen oversight and accountability, encourage the adoption of electronic payment channels, and accommodate new industry participants.
Business Post also reported that the regulator has raised ATM card fees by 50 per cent to N1,500 and scrapped the monthly maintenance charge.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has proposed that financial institutions operating in the country should charge N150 for the e-dividend mandate processing fee from May 1, 2026.
This was contained in the latest Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria, signed by the Director of the Financial Policy and Regulation Department of the CBN, Ms Rita Sikе.
The move is to promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria, accelerate the adoption of innovative financial services, financial inclusion and micropayments/transactions.
The reviewed guide, according to the central bank, provides for an increased range of financial services, encourages development of innovative products, strengthens responsibility for oversight and accountability and promotes financial inclusion through lower tariffs for micropayments/transactions.
It also reviewed some charges for banking services to encourage increased adoption of electronic channels and accommodate new industry participants since the issuance of the 2020 guide.
“In view of the above, the draft guide is hereby exposed to members of the public for their comments/input on the proposed fees contained therein. Comments are to be sent to [email protected] on or before May 08, 2026,” a part of the note stated.
In the draft, the banking sector regulator is suggesting the payment of N1,500 for local debit card issuance and replacement by customers and a $10 annual fee for foreign currency-denominated debit/credit cards.
For on-site ATM transactions, a charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal was proposed and N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 per N20,000 withdrawal. It emphasised that the surcharge, which is an income of the ATM deployer/acquirer, shall be disclosed at the point of withdrawal to the consumer.
The bank also said that for electronic fund transfers below N5,000, no fee would be collected, but from N5,000 to N50,000, customers would part with N10, and for transfers above N50,000, the fee of N50 would be paid, while for microfinance banks, there would be the settlement bank’s charge plus 10 per cent of the charge.
The CBN noted that this guide applies to commercial banks, merchant banks, Payment Service Banks (PSBs), non-interest banks, microfinance banks, finance companies, Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), credit guarantee companies, Mobile Money Operators (MMOs), and any other institution as may be designated by it.
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