By Dipo Olowookere
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and its holding company, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, have retained their AAA national ratings by Fitch Ratings, the global leader in credit ratings, reaffirming their strong fundamentals and stability, especially the ability to meet their financial commitments as they fall due.
In the report issued on Monday, November 27, 2017, the two institutions recorded AAA(nga) national long term rating, which provides a relative measure of credit worthiness for rated institutions in Nigeria. The AAA national rating is assigned to an institution with the lowest relative risk.
In arriving at the rating for Stanbic IBTC, Fitch took account of the strong parental support from Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC belongs, as the group provides support in such areas as staff training, provision of information technology upgrades and best practice processes as well as strong corporate governance practices.
It said in a statement that, “Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC’s (SIBTCH) National Ratings are based on potential support from its parent, South Africa’s Standard Bank Group Limited (SBG/Group; BB+/Stable), if required. Our view of institutional support considers SIBTCH’s strategic importance to SBG, high levels of integration between the parent and the subsidiary, as well as SBG’s majority shareholding in SIBTCH (53.2% through Stanbic Africa Holdings Limited).”
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC and Stanbic IBTC Bank received similar ratings in 2016 and February 2017 after a thorough examination of its credit process and financial results.
The bank’s diversified loan portfolio was reviewed, with its impact on various sectors of the economy taken into account.
“One of SIBTCH’s main strengths is its diversified earnings. Non-interest income generation is high and underpinned by fees and commissions and trading income. Loan impairment charges are high, but manageable in the context of strong earnings. Costs are well controlled. As a result, profitability metrics are healthy,” Fitch added.
In its report, the rating agency also reviewed the capital adequacy of Stanbic IBTC in compliance with regulations and concluded that it was very strong and compare favourably against peers.
“Fitch expects these levels to be maintained,” the statement said, noting that the liquidity position of Stanbic IBTC was reviewed and its ability to meet foreign currency obligations as they fall due.
The Group was certified as having “good funding profile and very good liquidity” as customer deposits grew strongly by 13 percent in the first half of 2017 with the bank rolling out new delivery channels. “Balance sheet liquidity is underpinned by large volumes of government securities. Additionally, SIBTCH’s loans/deposits ratio at 62% is one of the lowest among peers.”
Commenting, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Yinka Sanni, said the ratings were a clear testament of the financial institution’s strength, strong leadership and the unyielding support of its parent company.
He reiterated Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to the Nigerian market and pledged it will continue to provide support to all sectors of the economy in order to keep moving individuals and businesses forward.
“We are elated by this validation of our strength. This will help to boost our drive to build a strong end-to-end financial solutions institution that offers bespoke products and services to our clientele. Our commitment to supporting the attainment of Nigeria’s developmental aspirations remains resolute,” Mr Sanni said.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC is a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management.
Stanbic IBTC belongs to the Standard Bank Group, the largest African financial institution by assets. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent.
Standard Bank is focused on building first-class, on-the-ground financial services institutions in chosen countries in Africa; and connecting selected emerging markets to Africa by applying sector expertise, particularly in natural resources, power and infrastructure.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Aduragbemi Omiyale