Banking
Moody’s Sees Vulnerabilities in This Tier Two Bank’s Asset Quality
**Says GTBank, Zenith Bank Strong to Withstand Shocks
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Moody’s Investors Service has announced the downward review of the outlook of Sterling Bank Plc to negative from stable following the negative outlook on Nigeria’s government issuer rating.
In a statement issued this month, the rating agency said the lowering of Nigeria’s rating affects the bank’s credit profile as well as resulting in a lower ability to support the b3 BCA, which it said reflects Sterling Bank’s vulnerabilities in asset quality because of high single-name and sector concentration risks.
According to Moody’s, the lender has a large exposure to government debt securities and loans at 275 percent of its tangible common equity as of June 2019, noting that the company will likely be more exposed to negative pressure on its revenue generation capacity and its asset risk than its top-tier local peers due to its relatively small size and client base.
It was further stated that the b3 BCA shows bank’s modest capital levels, especially in light of high asset risks and high foreign-currency loans, stressing that these challenges are balanced against its deposit-based funding profile and stable local-currency liquidity, stating that the “local currency deposit rating is B2 while the local currency national scale rating is A2.ng.”
Also, commenting on other banks, Moody’s said Union Bank of Nigeria, FCMB and Fidelity Bank will likely be more exposed to negative pressure on their revenue generation capacity and asset quality than their top-tier local peers due to its relatively small size and client base.
For Union Bank, it said the b3 BCA reflects its high asset risks and low coverage of NPLs by provisions, which increases the risk of capital erosion in case of loan losses.
It further said this shows weak efficiency and moderate profitability; and still-tight, although improving, foreign-currency funding position, saying these challenges are moderated by the company’s stable deposit-based funding profile, particularly in local currency.
On the part of FCMB, it was stated that the b3 BCA reflects its elevated credit risks stemming from high single-name and sector concentrations; and relatively modest profitability levels compared with those of its top-tier local peers, noting that these challenges are balanced against its robust levels of tangible common equity compared with that of its global peers, stable deposit-based funding structure, and robust local-currency liquidity buffers.
For Fidelity Bank, the rating firm said the b3 BCA shows the lender’s relatively tight funding conditions, as reflected by its high, although improving, loan-to-customer deposit ratio; and high proportion of foreign-currency loans.
It said these challenges are mitigated by the lender’s relatively high provision coverage of NPLs; and solid capital buffers with a tangible common equity-to-risk-weighted asset that is comparable to global peers, although the bank’s capital buffer against the regulatory requirement is small.
But for Guaranty Trust Bank, Moody’s said b2 BCA reflects its resilient earnings generation capacity and robust capital buffers; high liquidity buffers and its predominantly deposit funded balance sheet; and robust franchise, which allows the bank to earn relatively higher margins and relatively low credit costs.
Also, it said Zenith Bank’s BCA of b2 reflects its resilient earnings generating capacity and robust capital buffers, which together provide a buffer to withstand asset-quality deterioration; high liquidity buffers and a predominantly deposit-funded balance sheet; and robust franchise, which allows it to attract inexpensive deposits, relative to other Nigerian banks, adding that “These strengths are moderated by the bank’s high proportion of more confidence-sensitive corporate deposits versus retail deposit.”
For UBA, it stated that the b2 BCA shows moderate asset risk profile, supported by its relatively more diversified loan book than that of its local peers; resilient profitability, which supports its capital buffers; and predominantly deposit-funded balance sheet, which is supported by a solid pan-African franchise, and strong local-currency liquidity buffers.
“These strengths are counterbalanced by UBA’s rising, although still moderate, dependence on confidence-sensitive funding,” the statement from Moody’s said.
Commenting on the b3 BCA of First Bank, the rating agency said it reflects the lender’s still-high stock of NPLs, although reducing, and moderate capital buffers, emphasising that these challenges are moderated by the bank’s resilient pre-provision profitability and stable funding profile, which is supported by a large stock of liquid assets.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading financial services companies in Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has taken its N148.7 billion rights issue to the e-offering platform of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Plc, NGX Invest.
Subscription for the rights issue of the organisation commenced on Wednesday, January 15 and will close on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The exercise allows existing shareholders to subscribe to 2,944,772,083 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N50.50 per share on the basis of five new shares for every 22 ordinary shares held as of October 29, 2024.
To streamline the rights issue and enhance investor participation, Stanbic IBTC has decided to join the others, who have used the NGX Invest for a similar transaction.
Business Post reports that qualified investors can seamlessly take up their rights via the platform at https://invest.ngxgroup.com.
The chief executive of the NGX Limited, Mr Jude Chiemeka, said, “The success of NGX Invest as a capital-raising platform reinforces our commitment to providing innovative solutions for issuers and investors alike. Stanbic IBTC’s confidence in our infrastructure reflects the opportunities we continue to create for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s financial markets.”
On his part, the acting chief executive of Stanbic IBTC, Mr Kunle Adedeji, noted that the platform would enable the company to distribute its rights issues efficiently while meeting regulatory requirements and delivering value to its shareholders.
He expressed deep appreciation for the confidence shown by shareholders, emphasizing the strategic importance of the rights issue.
Mr Adedeji emphasized that the funds raised would drive growth in critical sectors such as oil and gas, with a focus on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and gas infrastructure. The proceeds will also support power sector reforms, including divestments in distribution companies (Discos), and explore opportunities in the debt capital market and sustainable finance to foster economic transformation.
The chief executive of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, stated, “At NGX Group, we are committed to fostering innovation that drives economic growth and empowers issuers to achieve their goals. NGX Invest exemplifies how we continue to position the Exchange as the preferred destination for capital formation in Africa.
By Dipo Olowookere
Ecobank Nigeria Limited has taken a significant step to ensure its customers get cheap personal loans by partnering with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp).
The service is available to civil servants and private-sector employees whose salaries are paid through Ecobank.
New customers can also benefit upon presentation of employer undertaking to pay subsequent salaries through Ecobank.
Starting this January, the initiative provides flexible repayment options and a streamlined loan application process.
These loans can be used to finance a variety of personal needs, including paying school fees, rent, maintenance costs, medical bills, car purchase and repairs, asset purchase, and more.
The loans come with affordable interest rates, a two-year term, and a repayment plan that ensures equal monthly instalments, including principal and interest, do not change throughout the life of the facility, regardless of the economic situation of the country.
According to the Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Adeola Ogunyemi, the loans will provide salary earners, both in the public and private sectors, with better access to financial products.
“This collaboration is an excellent opportunity to serve our customers, and we believe it will improve the quality of life for many Nigerians.
“Eligible customers can use the loans to purchase electronics, solar systems, or CNG vehicle conversions, as well as for other essential expenses like school fees, rent, upkeep, medical bills, and car maintenance.
“We encourage working-class Nigerians to open an account with Ecobank to benefit from this initiative,” Ms Ogunyemi stated.
CrediCorp, a Development Finance Institution (DFI) established by the federal government, is focused on enhancing access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s workforce.
Under the partnership, CrediCorp will provide funds to Ecobank, for on-lending to qualified customers.
The arrangement covers personal loans, as well as asset financing for items like solar systems, home appliances, phones, laptops etc. and vehicle conversions to compressed natural gas (CNG).
Ecobank Nigeria is part of the Ecobank Group, a leading pan-African banking organization. The bank provides a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions through its network of over 240 branches and 35,000 Xpress Point agencies across Nigeria.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 131 customers of Wema Bank Plc will win N11 million in cash prize in the company’s 5 for 5 promo season 4 monthly draw fixed for Friday, January 24, 2025, in Warri, Delta State.
According to a statement from the lender, from the 131 customers, 80 of them will win N25,000 each, 40 will win N100,000 each, eight domiciliary account holders will win N250,000 each and three will get N1 million each, with one to be from Warri, venue of the event.
The 5 for 5 promo selects winners from the bank’s pool of active and transacting customers, via thoroughly regulated electronic live draws.
The first 3 seasons saw the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo disburse over N150 million to 2,378 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, and with the launch of Season 4 on October 1, 2024, Wema Bank raised the bar, setting aside a whopping N135 million for disbursement this season alone.
So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have won cash prizes in daily, weekly and monthly draws, with 540 customers winning in 55 daily draws, 550 customers winning in 11 weekly draws and 262 customers winning in 2 monthly draws; totalling over N27 million disbursed so far.
The third monthly draw of the season, which also happens to be the first monthly draw of 2025, is set to hold this January in Warri, and another 131 winners will emerge from the draw.
“The goal for us with the Wema Bank 5 for 5 promo is giving back, providing support and rewarding our loyal customers, it’s been one of the key means through which we say ‘thank you’ as a Bank, and four years strong so far, it’s only gotten better with each season.
“We made millionaires in December ahead of Christmas and it was heartwarming to hear from our amazing customers how instrumental these rewards were in sorting out some bills. Now, we are even more ready to kickstart 2025 on a millionaire note,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.
“As a tradition, the 5 for 5 Promo continues to tour different locations across the six geopolitical zones, however, our winners are always selected from across the country. So even though one of the millionaires will be from Warri where this draw will hold, there’s still room for two more millionaires and over 120 more winners of cash ranging from N25,000 to N250,000.
“The joy for us is in the smiles that are made, the stories that are positively impacted and the hope that these cash rewards bring to the winners; from students to small business owners, working professionals, and so on.
“We are all too familiar with the running ‘100 days of January’ reality that plagues a lot of us after the heavy spending that comes with December, so this draw is the perfect opportunity to support our customers beyond the daily and weekly draws that we hold every other weekday.
“I congratulate the winners in advance, and I encourage every new and existing Wema Bank customer to seize this opportunity and start transacting today. The 5 for 5 promo is as transparent as can be, so anyone can win, provided they meet the minimum requirements,” he added.
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