Banking
S&P Affirms Ecobank’s Ratings, Says Bank Will Sustain Growth
By Dipo Olowookere
The ‘B-/B’ long- and short-term issuer credit ratings on Togo-based Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) have been affirmed by S&P Global Ratings.
Also, the firm its ‘B/B’ long- and short-term issuer credit ratings on Ecobank Nigeria Ltd with both outlooks stable.
A statement issued by S&P explained that the affirmation reflected its expectation that Ecobank group’s financial performance will improve gradually over the next 12-24 months, with lower problematic assets and slightly higher profitability on the back of more stable macroeconomic conditions in key operating markets.
In 2017, the group returned to profitability as a result of a significant decline in cost of risk and reduced operating costs.
“We expect the group’s asset quality indicators to continue improving over the next 12-24 months, including nonperforming loans (NPLs; loans overdue by more than 90 days) falling to around 7%-8% of total loans and coverage of NPLs by provisions increasing above 90%.
“To that end, the group is strengthening its credit risk management framework and monitoring processes,” the rating agency said.
It noted that under its base-case scenario, Ecobank will also maintain relatively elevated credit provisions at around 2.6% of total loans as it strengthens its NPL coverage ratio and transitions to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9.
According to S&P, coverage of NPLs by provisions improved to 81% in the first half of 2018 from 52% at year-end 2017, incorporating $299 million of IFRS 9 provisions.
“We still view the group’s weak loss experience and exposure to moderate coverage of NPLs compared with peers as negative for its credit profile.
“We expect the group’s return on equity will average 15% over the next 12-24 months, which would somewhat support a stabilization of the group’s risk-adjusted capital (RAC) ratio around 3.3%-3.6% over the same period, assuming no dividend distribution. We see capitalization as a weakness for the group’s overall credit profile,” the statement said.
S&P noted Ecobank’s strong footprint in Africa and the new management team’s efforts to address its asset quality issues, stabilising its financial profile, and shift its strategy toward a targeted country-by-country approach rather than geographic expansion as a priority over earnings.
The rating agency pointed out that the funding base of Ecobank and its subsidiaries were in line with peers’, maintaining a reasonable level of liquidity.
“All of the group’s subsidiaries are largely funded by short-term customer deposits (total deposits accounted for 90% of the funding base and 173% of total loans on June 30, 2018), with a preference for retail and nonfinancial corporate current and savings accounts to lower the cost of funds. There is fungibility of liquidity within the group.
“Furthermore, at 134% as of June 30, 2018, the group’s stable funding ratio compares well with peers’. The group’s broad liquid assets-to-short-term wholesale funding ratio was at 7.7x at end-June
2018, while its net broad liquid assets covered 46% of short-term deposits at the same date.
“Overall, we assess the group credit profile at ‘b’. Our rating on ETI, the non-operating holding company, is only one notch below the group credit profile (rather than the standard two notches), since we do not see ETI as currently vulnerable to non-payment, or dependent upon favourable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial obligations in the next 12 months.
“In addition, the group’s double leverage has stabilized around 100%, which we consider as moderately high. We understand that the group targets a double leverage ratio close to 100% over the next 12-24 months. We also consider Ecobank Nigeria a core subsidiary of the Ecobank Group.
“Ecobank Nigeria accounted for approximately 30% oftotal group assets at year-end 2017. Therefore, our ratings on Ecobank Nigeria reflect thewider group credit profile,” the statement said.
However, S&P warned that it would lower the rating on Ecobank Nigeria if the group’s RAC ratio fell below 3% or if the group exhibited a higher cost of risk than currently expected.
“We would also lower the rating on Ecobank Nigeria if we took a similar rating action on Nigeria.
“Finally, we would lower the ratings on ETI if we were to notice a significant increase in double leverage above 120%.
“An upgrade of Ecobank Nigeria or ETI appears unlikely over the next 12 months and would require a significant strengthening of capitalization or asset quality,” S&P disclosed.
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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