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Stock Analysis: Access Bank: FX Trading Income Masks OPEX Pressure

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By Vetiva Research

Access Bank released its H1’17 result reporting a strong 42 percent y/y growth in Gross Earnings (N247 billion) – 12 percent ahead of our N220 billion estimate.

In line with the trend observed in Q1’17, the impressive top line performance was supported by strong growth in both Interest and Non-Interest Income lines, up 43 percent y/y and 47 percent y/y respectively, with both beating Q1’17 run rates.

Notably, we highlight that whilst e-business income moderated significantly to N2.7 billion (H1’16: N18.8 billion), FX trading income rose to N59.0 billion vs. the loss of N11.1 billion recorded in H1’16.

Similarly, Interest Expense rose markedly (a trend consistent across all other banks that have released so far), up 80 percent y/y and 21 percent ahead of our estimate.

Nevertheless, Net Interest Income rose 21% y/y with NIM up 40bps to 6.7 percent. With NPL ratio contained at 2.5 percent and cost of risk at 1.0 percent, loan loss provision was flat y/y at N10.4 billion (Vetiva: N10.9 billion).

The key pressure point was however from Operating Expense – racing 38 percent y/y to N105.1 billion (Vetiva: N91.2 billion) following a 34 percent q/q rise.

We highlight that the biggest rise came from Admin Expense which almost doubled over the period.

Despite this, PBT rose 18 percent y/y to N52.0 billion – just in line with our estimate.

However, with an effective tax rate of 24 percent vs. our estimate of 22 percent, PAT marginally missed our estimate, albeit up 17 percent y/y to N39.5 billion.

Estimates revised, TP revised higher to N9.66 (Previous: N9.60) We revise our model to reflect the mild deviations across a few line items.

Particularly, we cut our loan growth forecast to flat for FY’17 (Previous: 5 percent) as the bank continues to take a conservative stance.

Also, we cut our deposit growth forecast to a 3 percent y/y decline (Previous: 5 percent growth) to reflect the H1’17 trend.

Whilst we raise our Interest and Non-Interest forecast for the strong interest rate environment and the extraordinary FX gains respectively, we also revise our Interest Expense and Operating Expense in line with H1’17 run rates.

However, we maintain our loan loss expense estimate at N20.9 billion – translating to a CoR of 1.2 percent.

Overall, our Target Price is little changed at N9.66 (Previous: N9.60). Access Bank trades at FY’17 P/E and P/B ratios of 3.6x and 0.6x respectively.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

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Banking

131 Wema Bank Customers to Win N11m January 24

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wema bank Maraba branch

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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Banking

UBA Completes Routine System Maintenance on Card Service

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UBA Naira Cards

By Dipo Olowookere

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has completed its scheduled routine system maintenance on its card service.

The financial institution over the weekend informed its customers of a scheduled maintenance on its card service from 12 am to 5 am of Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Customers were told that the action could make them experience service disruption while using the UBA cards for financial transactions.

The lender said it was carrying out the maintenance for better service delivery, apologising for any issue they may encounter during the period.

“In line with our commitment to provide you with exceptional experience and to enable us to serve you better, we will be carrying out a scheduled routine maintenance on our card services.

“During this period, you may not be able to use your Debit & Credit Card. Please use our alternative channels, LEO, *919#, Mobile App or Internet Banking for transactions

“An update will be provided as soon as the maintenance is completed.

“We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that we are committed to providing you with excellent banking services,” the notice earlier sent to customers said.

After the completion of the process, UBA mailed another statement to customers, informing them they could use their cards without any issue.

“We are pleased to inform you that our scheduled routine system maintenance has been completed.

“You can now enjoy safer and quicker transactions on our card service.

“We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced, and assure you of our commitment to continuously provide you with excellent service,” the statement sighted by Business Post read.

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Banking

First Bank Directors to Meet Amid Boardroom Crisis

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FBN Holdings busiest stock

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

On Thursday, January 30, 2025, the board of directors of FBN Holdings Plc will gathered for a meeting, a statement signed by the company secretary, Mr Adewale Arogundade, has disclosed.

This is coming amid the boardroom crisis rocking the financial institution over the leadership of the board headed by popular businessman, Mr Femi Otedola.

Mr Otedela, who sold his stake in Forte Oil, now known as Ardova Plc (AP), a few years ago to invest in the power generating sub-sector through Geregu Power Plc, acquired some shares in FBN Holdings.

Soon after his acquisition was announced, a leadership tussle erupted between him and Mr Tunde Hassan-Odukale, extending to Mr Oba Otudeko.

Some days ago, some shareholders of the company called for the removal of Mr Otedola as chairman of FBN Holdings through an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM).

The leadership crisis triggered the firm to assure its customers that its operations will not be affected by happenings in the boardroom.

“This matter does not in any way impact the operations of the company, and all the businesses within the Group continue to provide uninterrupted services to its customers.

“We assure our valued customers, shareholders, investors, other stakeholders and the general public that we are taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of the company and its subsidiaries.

“The Group’s performance continues to improve, resulting in a higher market capitalisation even as we work towards surpassing the regulatory minimum capital well ahead of the deadline,” parts of the statement read.

As the company makes efforts to manage the situation, members of the board will meet by the end of this month to “consider its unaudited accounts for the year ending December 31, 2024, on Thursday, January 30, 2025.”

In the notice signed by Mr Arogundade, FBN Holdings said its closed period, which commenced on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, “will continue until 24 hours after the company’s unaudited accounts and 2024 audited financial statements are filed via the issuer’s portal of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, in line with Rule 17.18(a) Closed Period Rules, Rulebook of the Exchange, 2015 (as amended).”

A closed period is a timeframe when those who have privileged information about the financial statements of a firm within the organisation are prohibited from trading securities of the company at the exchange.

This is put in place to prevent them from having an undue advantage over shareholders not having any business dealings with the organisation.

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