Banking
S&P Highlights Key Risks For Nigerian Banks in 2024
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the major global credit rating organisations, S&P Global Ratings, has said despite the tough operating environment and policies, Nigerian banks can remain strong and absorb the shocks.
In a note made available to Business Post on Monday, the agency, however, emphasised that there is the “possibility of individual small banks breaching their minimum regulatory requirements,” especially those in the tier-2 and tier-3 categories.
But it stressed that the tier-1 lenders, despite the macroeconomic pressures, “including a weakening Nigerian naira,” have positive net open position and strong earnings that will help them to “mitigate the negative impact of currency movements on [their] capital adequacy ratios.”
In the report, the firm noted that the capital requirements of Nigerian banks will change, especially because the currency depreciation will result in higher risk-weighted assets, leading to a breach of the single obligor limit for some of them, which will reduce their capital adequacy ratios.
Recall that last year, the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, hinted that the capital base of the banking sector would be raised amid the weakening of the Naira.
For S&P, “We think that banks’ regulatory capitalization is less at risk today than in 2016, but we do not exclude pressure on individual banks’ capitalization in the case of a prolonged weakening of the naira.”
“Naira depreciation has led to a strengthening of capitalisation for most top-tier banks. Capital buffers averaged 9 per cent for top-tier banks, compared with about 6.8 per cent prior to the devaluation,” it added.
However, it warned that Nigerian banks face some risks in the year, especially further increases in financing costs due to the prolonged stay of Nigeria on the global anti-money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog’s grey list.
It also said the country’s financial institutions could experience weaker asset quality this year as “higher interest rates and inflation will likely affect small businesses and households.”
“We expect impairment charges to rise to about 3.5 per cent in 2023 and to moderate in 2024 to about 2.0 per cent.
“This reflects currency movements and tight macroeconomic conditions, with negative implications for capitalisation,” it further said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In recognition of its strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has been honoured by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON).
The lender was rewarded by the group for its suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.
At the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, held recently in Lagos, Union Bank was given the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025.
The ceremony was organised by ASBON in partnership with the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment.
The event convened stakeholders from the public and private sectors to recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.
Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, its Head of SME Segment, Mr Ayokunnumi Abraham, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the organisation’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible.
“Through enhancements to our specialised platforms such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting.
“These improvements have shortened onboarding, increased digital adoption among our SME customers, and supported the acquisition of new business clients. Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive,” he stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The stellar contributions of Polaris Bank Limited to youth employment, talent development, and workforce empowerment across Nigeria have not gone unnoticed, as the company was recently recognised at an event in Lagos.
At the 2026 Jobberman Partners’ Convening, the financial institution was bestowed with the Private Sector Champion Award.
The award recognises private sector organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in advancing youth employability through impactful recruitment initiatives, graduate trainee programmes, executive hiring support, candidate assessment programmes, and strategic partnerships that create sustainable career opportunities for young Nigerians.
Themed From Impact to Action: Collectively Designing the Future of Youth Employment in Nigeria, the convening focused on fostering collaboration between the private sector and other stakeholders to expand access to meaningful employment opportunities and equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities required to succeed in an evolving economy.
On the recognition, Jobberman commended Polaris Bank for consistently going beyond transactional partnerships to deliver measurable impact within Nigeria’s employment ecosystem. The renowned recruitment firm described Polaris Bank as a credible and purpose-driven institution committed to advancing youth employability and supporting the future of work in Nigeria.
The Head of Talent Management at Polaris Bank, Ms Cynthia Sanyaolu, reaffirmed the lender’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians and strengthening the nation’s workforce through strategic people-focused initiatives designed to create long-term economic and social impact.
“This recognition reflects Polaris Bank’s unwavering belief in the potential of the Nigerian youths and our commitment to building platforms that enable them to thrive professionally and economically.
“At Polaris Bank, we see talent development and youth empowerment as critical drivers of national growth and sustainable development,” she stated.
Over the years, Polaris Bank has continued to invest in initiatives that promote learning, career growth, workforce inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Through strategic Graduate Trainee recruitment programmes via its flagship Polaris Graduate Intensive Training (PGIT) and Polaris Tech Ignite Training (TechIGNITE), among other talent development initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, the bank remains committed to supporting the next generation of Nigerian professionals while contributing to national development.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Plans are underway by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) to approach the international debt market for a capital raise.
The parent company of the Ecobank Group intends to use proceeds from the proposed exercise to refinance “the concurrent any-and-all tender offer of the ETI $350 million 8.750 per cent tier 2 notes due June 2031.”
However, the issuance of the notes is subject to prevailing market conditions and the conclusion of the necessary transaction documentation, a statement signed by the organisation’s chief financial officer, Mr Ayo Adepoju, stressed.
After issuance, the debt instrument may be listed on the London Stock Exchange, with the expectation that the bonds will be traded on its regulated market.
Ecobank noted that it would allocate an amount equivalent to the full net proceeds of the issue of the notes to finance or refinance, in part or in full, new and/or existing eligible assets as described in its Green Bond Framework (Ecobank-Sustainability), as amended and supplemented from time to time.
Ecobank, which has banking operations in 34 countries in Africa, is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the Ghana Stock Exchange and the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (Stock Exchanges).
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