Connect with us

News

STRESS TEST: ZENITH, LARGER BANKS MORE RESILIENT, FITCH SAYS

Published

on

The stress test conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed the resilience of large banks to withstand stresses over smaller banks, even as it singled out Zenith Bank Plc for its strength in comparison to others

Citing a Financial Stability Report for December 2016, published recently, rating agency, Fitch, said in its review of the regulatory test highlighted disparities in capital strength in the Nigerian banking industry. The apex bank’s test showed that 3 big banks failed, with their capital adequacy ratio haven significantly fallen below the regulatory requirement.

The rating agency said in its analysis of the CBN report: “… medium and large banks collectively could withstand a 100% increase in non-performing loans (NPLs) but small banks (assets less than NGN500 billion) would struggle to withstand even modest NPL deterioration.

“In our own assessment of the banks we rate, which are mostly large (assets more than NGN1 trillion), capacity to absorb losses through capital varies considerably.

“Zenith Bank Plc is stronger than the rest, while capital weaknesses at First Bank National and Diamond Bank have a significant influence on their ratings,” it added.

“All Nigerian bank ratings are in the highly speculative ‘B’ range, but even so capitalisation is an important differentiator. The scores we assign, based on capitalisation and leverage metrics across the sector, are low, but vary considerably,” the agency explained.

The apex bank’s stress test focused on the ability of banks’ capital adequacy ratios to withstand a number of impairments arising from Non-Performing Loans and Fitch noted in its analysis that small banks were particularly badly hit in the stress tests.

“They already had very weak starting capital positions, with an average capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of just 3.14% at end-2016, following sharp falls in 2016 due to rises in NPLs. Medium and large banks had stronger starting positions, with CARs of 12.75% and 15.47%, respectively, at end-2016,” the agency stated.

The agency also stated: “CBN figures show that NPLs represented 14% of total sector loans at end-2016, a very sharp increase on 5.3% at end-2015. Unreserved NPLs represented a high 38.4% of total end-2016 regulatory capital (end-2015: 5.9%), signaling considerable weakening in the overall capital position of Nigeria’s banking sector.

“Reported NPL ratios do not tell the whole asset quality story. Restructuring, particularly of loans extended to the troubled upstream oil sector, is fairly common practice in Nigeria, and restructured loans at some rated banks account for as much as 20% of total loans,” it added.

It further noted that there was good ground to belief that that capital buffers at banks may be weaker than reported ratios suggest.

The banks, the agency noted, remain profitable, with results boosted by wide margins and currency revaluation gains, large in some cases.

“These are one-off gains but they have been realised and provide a strong boost to capital, which is positive, especially in light of weak asset quality,” it said.

The CAR is the ratio of bank’s assets to its risks. It is placed at 10 per cent for national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international subsidiaries and 16 per cent for Systematically Important Banks (SIBs).

News

Obasa Missing as Lagos Assembly Sits, Lauds President Tinubu

Published

on

By

 

The Lagos State House of Assembly convened for a crucial legislative session yesterday, but an unexpected absence stole the spotlight, the ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was nowhere to be seen. The sitting, which focused on key legislative matters and a commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, went on without Obasa, raising eyebrows among lawmakers and political observers alike.

New Speaker Mojisola Meranda presided over the proceedings, ensuring the session ran smoothly. During deliberations, the lawmakers took turns applauding President Tinubu for his strides in governance, particularly his economic and infrastructural policies aimed at revitalizing Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. However, whispers about Obasa’s absence could not be ignored.

Sources within the Assembly remained tight-lipped on the reason for his nonappearance, fueling speculation.

As lawmakers dispersed after the session, the big question lingered where was  Obasa? For now, the mystery remains, but all eyes will be on the next sitting to see if the seasoned politician resurfaces.

Continue Reading

lifestyle

Meet The New 47-year-old Alaafin Of Oyo, Prince Akeem Owoade

Published

on

By

Prince Akeem Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a  real estate investment and financial services business in Manitoba, Canada.

 

Born 47 years ago to a prominent and royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town, Prince Akeem Owoade is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, the descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, Agure Compound, Oyo town in Oyo State, Nigeria.

Prince Akeem Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria in 1992. His father worked for Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP) helping Oke-Ogun community in boosting agricultural productivity.

aking an early interest in engineering, Prince AkeemOwoade began his engineering studies by completing his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from ‘The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001), Oyo State. Nigeria respectively. He did his NYSC with Nigeria Gas Company as Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller. (2003 to 2004).

Prince Akeem Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom where he attended University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012)

Continue Reading

News

Panic As Governor’s Official Car Got Stolen

Published

on

By

Confusion and fear was the order of the day at one of the Government houses in the Southwest some days ago when one of the official vehicles of the Governor, a bullet-proof jeep allegedly disappeared from the garage.

The SUV which is said to be one of the three bullet-proof vehicles being used for the Governor’s official assignment was discovered missing.

The Governor who was out of the country on a short, rest leave was claimed to have been disturbed when he was alerted.

Sources claimed it wasn’t the first time things would get missing at the Governor’s private residence.

‘There had been series of thefts, ranging from missing cash, phones and other expensive items, it’s usually swept under the carpet. Indiscipline is the order of the day here’, a source confirmed this to papermacheonline.

The State Governor, a quiet individual who is spending his second time in office was said to have been disturbed by the occurrence that he had to cut short his leave and return home. One of his closest aides was also kidnapped recently.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending