Banking
S&P Affirms UBA’s ‘B/B’ Ratings with Stable Outlook
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Leading rating firm in the world, S&P Global Ratings, has announced affirming its ‘B/B’ and ‘ngBBB/ngA-2’ ratings on United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc.
A statement issued by the rating agency on Monday disclosed that it believes the tier-1 lender in Nigeria will continue to maintain sound earnings and asset quality over the next 12 months, despite the sluggish economy in its operating environment a and the high economic risk in other parts of Africa where the bank operates.
Also in the statement, S&P affirmed its stable outlook on the financial institution, explaining that the “stable outlook reflects that on Nigeria and our expectation that the group’s financial profile will remain broadly stable in the next 12 months.”
In its earnings for third quarter of this year, the lender increased its profit after tax to N61 billion from N49.5 billion in Q3 of 2016, while its gross earnings closed at N334 billion compared with N265.5 billion 12 months ago.
S&P Global Ratings, in its statement yesterday, noted that it affirmed its long- and short-term Nigeria national scale ratings on UBA at ‘ngBBB/ngA-2’.
“The affirmation reflects our view that the group will maintain its top-tier competitive position in the Nigerian banking sector. UBA benefits from a good franchise in the corporate and retail segments in Nigeria and increasing geographic diversification. Overall, we think the group has an adequate business position.
“Furthermore, we believe that the group will display relatively stable asset quality and good earnings generation over the next 12 months.
“We assess the group’s capital and earnings as moderate under our risk-adjusted capital (RAC) framework. We estimate UBA’s RAC ratio (before adjustments for diversification) at 5.2% for year-end 2016. We project that the RAC ratio will remain broadly stable over the next 12 months on the back of the group’s good earning capacity and expected stable cost of risk.
“Our forecast assumptions include loan growth of around 20% (factoring in the expected depreciation of the Nigerian naira), stable interest margins, cost control, and moderate dividend distribution. On June 30, 2017, UBA’s capital adequacy ratio was 19.7%, which is well above the regulatory minimum of 15%, and we believe it will remain stable over the next 12 months.
“We assess UBA’s risk position as adequate, which reflects our expectation that the group will exhibit broadly stable asset quality in the next 12 months. The group’s cost of risk increased to 2.1% in 2016 compared with 0.5% in 2015, before declining to 1.2% at end-June 2017.
“This ratio compares well with the sector average. However, nonperforming loans (NPLs; loans overdue by 90 days or more) ratio increased to 4.2% at end-June from 3.9% at end-2016 (1.7% at year-end 2015) and was hit hard by the foreign currency shortages, which mainly affected the general commerce and oil and gas trading companies.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria allowed banks to write-off fully provisioned NPLs the same year, without prejudice to the prudential guideline that requires banks to retain fully provisioned NPLs for one year before write-off. This was aimed at avoiding accumulation of NPLs, since banks were expected to record additional provisions in the context of the naira devaluation in 2016. As a result, UBA’s NPL coverage by provisions dropped to 60.1% at end-June 2017 from 83.3% at end-2016, after reaching about 100% on Sept. 30, 2016.
“NPLs outside Nigeria accounted for 60% of the group’s total NPLs. We anticipate that credit losses will decline to about 1% in 2017-2018, while the NPL ratio will stabilize at around 4%-5% over the same period. Similar to other Nigerian banking groups, the UBA group extends loans in U.S. dollars (about 35% of total loans at end-2016), but this risk appears to be mitigated by receivables in the same foreign currency.
“We consider the group’s funding to be above average and its liquidity to be adequate, owing to its steady and relatively low-cost, retail-deposit-based funding profile. Similar to its Nigerian peers, UBA exhibits contractual asset-liability mismatches, including in foreign currency.
“Despite tightening monetary policy in Nigeria in 2016, the group maintained a stable cost of funding at about 3.6% as of end-June 2017. The group reported a net stable funding ratio of 143% as of the same date. Broad liquid assets covered short-term wholesale funding at about 4.5x as of the same date. UBA issued a $500 million Eurobond in May 2017. We understand that the group has sufficient U.S. dollar liquidity to meet its financial obligations in 2017.
“The stable outlook on UBA reflects that on Nigeria and our expectation that the group’s financial profile will remain broadly stable in the next 12 months.
“We would lower the ratings on UBA if we lowered the rating on Nigeria or observed a higher-than-expected deterioration in the group’s assets quality indicators over the next 12 months. We would also lower the ratings on UBA in the unlikely scenario of a significant drop in capitalization, leading to a RAC ratio (before adjustments for diversification) below 3%.
“An upgrade is unlikely in the next 12 months because it would hinge on an upgrade of the sovereign and a decline in the economic risks faced by the Nigerian banking sector or a significant strengthening of capitalization, as reflected by a RAC ratio (before adjustments for diversification) sustainably exceeding 7%,” the statement said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About N3.6 trillion has been repaid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since its inception in 2010.
This information was revealed by the chief executive of AMCON, Mr Gbenga Alade, during a media parley to update the press on the activities of the agency.
Mr Alade said at the moment, the organisation still owes the central bank about N3 trillion for toxic assets of banks in the country.
He praised the organisation for its asset recovery drive, stressing that when compared with others across the world, Nigeria has done well.
“It is important to stress that the corporation has done tremendously well, especially when compared to other notable government-owned Asset Management Corporations around the world.
“Based on the balance at purchase, AMCON outperformed other Asset Management Corporations all over the world by achieving over 87 per cent in recoveries despite the unique challenges associated with debt recovery in Nigeria.
“The Malaysian Danaharta, which is adjudged one of the best performing Asset Management Corporation’s, only achieved 58 per cent. The Chinese Asset Management Corporation, despite its stricter laws, achieved just 33 per cent.
“Only the Korean Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO), South Korea, has achieved more recoveries than AMCON, with about 100 per cent. This was due to their brute force with which they chased the obligors.
“Despite KAMCO’s recovery records, the agency is still operational to date with slight realignments in its mandate.
“Other noted Asset Management Corporations that have transitioned into a perpetual institution of the various governments include, China Asset Management Company, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) USA, and KFW Germany.
“So, gentlemen, without sounding immodest, AMCON has done well, and we will not relent until all the outstanding debts are fully realized,” Mr Alade stated.
On the financial performance of AMCON, he said last year, the firm posted a revenue of N156.25 billion and operating expenses of N29.04 billion, while for the 2025 fiscal year should be a revenue of N215.15 billion and operating expenses of N29.06 billion.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the non-interest banks in Nigeria, The Alternative Bank (AltBank), has opened a new branch in Effurun, Delta State.
The new office will serve the Edo-Delta region and provide purposeful banking and real financial empowerment for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, a statement from the firm stated.
The lender disclosed that the Effurun branch is a bold move in its mission to reshape banking in Nigeria.
The launch was graced by key dignitaries, including the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe I; the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Anthony O. Ofoni, represented his vice, Andrew Agagbo; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Community Development, Mr Ernest Airoboyi; amongst others.
The Divisional Head for South at The Alternative Bank, Mr Chukwuemeka Agada, emphasised the institution’s commitment to Warri and its surrounding communities.
“By establishing a presence here, we are initiating a transformation in the way banking serves the people of Delta. Our purpose-driven approach ensures that customers’ financial goals are not just met but exceeded,” he stated.
“This branch represents our pledge to empower Warri’s dynamic businesses and families, providing them with the tools to grow without compromise,” Mr Agada added.
“We understand the heartbeat of this community, and we are excited to integrate our bank into the fabric of this dynamic region,” he stated further.
On his part, the representative of the Ovie, Mr Samuel Eshenake, challenged the bank to facilitate development and employment within the Effurun community.
The Regional Head for Edo/Delta at The Alternative Bank, Mr Akanni Owolabi, embraced this challenge, pledging that the bank will work sustainably to drive local commerce.
“At The Alternative Bank, we are committed to being an active partner in the development of Effurun. We see this branch as a catalyst for creating opportunities, driving employment, and supporting the growth of local businesses.
“Our mission is to empower this community, ensuring that every step forward is one of progress, prosperity, and shared success.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A partnership aimed to enable seamless, real-time and secure transactions for cardholders across Africa and the rest of the world has been entered into by Payattitude and PAPSSCARD, the card scheme initiative of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS).
The collaboration will allow Payattitude cards issued by banks and other deposit-taking institutions to be co-branded with PAPSSCARD, Discover, Diners and Pulse for acceptance across their networks in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.
As an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and a key financial infrastructure supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the PAPSSCARD scheme will facilitate instant cross-border payments in local currencies.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to cross-enterprise alliances and enabling inclusive, efficient, and borderless payments across Africa and the world
“With Payattitude, Nigerian cardholders and financial institutions can now enjoy the benefits of a Nigerian card that can be used worldwide,” a director at Payattitude, Dr Agada Apochi, said.
The acting chief executive of PAPSSCARD, Mr John Bosco Sebabi, said the aim is “to connect African payment ecosystems, reduce the cost and inefficiencies of cross-border payments, and strengthen African sovereignty over payments infrastructure.
“Collaborating with Payattitude, a key innovator in Nigeria’s payment space, represents a significant step towards a more unified African payment landscape.”
The chief executive of PAPSS, Mr Mike Ogbalu, said, “By bringing together PAPSSCARD’s robust cross-border payment capabilities with Payattitude’s leadership in the Nigerian digital payments, we are taking tangible steps toward building a single African market where individuals and businesses can transact easily and securely, both within and beyond Africa.”
Payattitude is the first-in-kind Nigerian Payment Scheme to pioneer multibank App and USSD Code *569#.
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