Business News
COMMENTARY: Moody’s changes outlook on Nigerian banking sector to negative
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the sharp downturn in crude oil prices have continued to stoke fears of a further devaluation in the Naira.
According to news reports, Moody’s Investors Service had earlier this week changed its outlook for Nigeria’s banking system from stable to negative. Moody’s rating agency highlighted that the change reflects its view that banks will face weakening loan quality and foreign-currency liquidity challenges as depressed oil prices and the global pandemic weigh on Nigeria’s economy.
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the sharp downturn in crude oil prices, which have accelerated capital flow reversals, continue to stoke fears of a further devaluation in the Naira. We say further devaluation because the CBN had in March moved the official exchange rate from N307/US$1 to N360/US$1. At the Investors and Exporters Window (I & E), the CBN also adjusted the NGN peg upwards by 5.7%, as it raised its intervention rate to N380 from N366. Depressed oil prices and subsequent devaluation affect banks in a number of ways.
First is asset quality: A few sectors show more vulnerability to depressed oil prices and devaluation in the local currency and as such bank lending to these sectors will most likely show signs of strain. One of such sectors is the oil and gas upstream/midstream sector. In conversations with banks over the past few weeks, we understand that some banks like Guaranty Trust Bank have hedged their oil and gas exposure over several months while many others believe that it will be possible to restructure these loans – apparently with little effect on asset quality in the short term.
Second is capital erosion: Devaluation, in theory, challenges capital adequacy ratios (CAR) because the Naira-equivalent value of risk-weighted assets (RWA) rises as this includes foreign currency loans. However, the weight of foreign currency loans in RWAs is for the most part moderate (35%-45%), and some banks like FBNH and Guaranty Trust Bank will likely make windfall gains from net long FX positions which in turn boost capital. Some banks also have some of their Tier-2 capital in foreign currencies and will, therefore, see an increase in Tier-2 capital if a devaluation occurs.
(READ MORE: Nigerian banking stocks ignore red flags, boost Nigeria Stock Market)
However, the CBN rule which restricts Tier-2 capital to only 33.3% of Tier-1 capital implies that not all the increase would qualify for the total capital adequacy (Tier-1 plus Tier-2) computation. Overall, we see moderate erosion in CAR for our coverage banks.
Finally, foreign currency liquidity: Borrowings made by banks in US dollars are problematic under a devaluation scenario. As such, banks need to have to perform US dollar assets in order to receive dollars with which to service their own US dollar borrowings. The greater the under performance of US dollar assets in cash terms (for example, re-scheduled US dollar loans to the oil & gas sector, with grace periods during which banks do not receive cash) the higher the likelihood that banks will have to find other sources of US dollars to service their own USD denominated borrowings. An extreme case is when a bank decides to purchase US dollars with Naira at unfavorable rates in order to service a US dollar obligation. We assume however that many banks have access to the supranational lenders, and to development banks for refinancing, which should limit the possibility of occurrence of the extreme scenario.
CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Lagos (CSLS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc and is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Coronavirus
COVID-19: Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown – Buhari
President Buhari has called on Nigerians to do all they can to avert a second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari said that the Nigerian economy is too fragile to go into another lockdown, as the second wave of coronavirus forces some European countries – Germany and France, to enter another phase of lockdown.
The President disclosed this in a social media statement on Thursday afternoon via his official Twitter handle.
Looking at the trends in the other countries, we must do all we can to avert a second wave of Covid-19 in Nigeria. We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again. Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) October 29, 2020
Buhari said Nigeria will work hard to control its local spread, as the country can’t afford a lockdown.
“Looking at the trends in other countries, we must do all we can to avert a second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria. We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again. Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown,” President Buhari said.
(READ MORE:#EndSARS: Hoodlums loot Yakubu Dogara’s house in Jos)
What you should know
According to a Bloomberg report, the rising cases of COVID-19 in Europe have led to another phase of lockdowns, with the Eurozone’s 2 biggest economies, Germany and France announcing new lockdowns restrictions.
“The measures we’ve taken have turned out to be insufficient to counter a wave that’s affecting all Europe,” said French President Emmanuel Macron
In August, Nairametrics reported that President Buhari approved the extension of the second phase of eased lockdown by another 4 weeks.
Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in real terms declined by 6.10% (year-on-year) in Q2 2020, ending the 3-year trend of low but positive real growth rates recorded since the 2016/17 recession.
Business News
FG to invest in the deployment of Mini-grid systems to power 5 million homes in 2021
The Minister said the government will invest in Mini-grid systems that will provide power for 5 million homes in 2021.
In a bid to provide remote communities with clean and affordable energy, the Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman has disclosed that the Government is set to invest heavily in the deployment of Mini-grid systems that will provide power for 5 million homes in 2021.
This disclosure was made by Engr. Sale Mamman in a statement released into the mainstream media via his official Twitter handle.
READ: Electricity: Nigeria now has an installed generation capacity of 13,000MW – Minister of Power
It is virtually impossible to have the National grid covering every geographical point within Nigeria, that is why Government is investing heavily in the deployment of Mini-grid systems which can easily get to the most remote communities and provide clean, affordable energy.
— Engr. Sale Mamman (@EngrSMamman) October 29, 2020
The Minister explained that it is virtually impossible for the National grid to cover every geographical point within Nigeria. He emphasized that this reality prompted the present administration to sort out alternatives, and as a result, the Government is set to invest heavily in the deployment of Mini-grid systems, which can easily get to the most remote communities and provide clean, and affordable energy in 2021.
READ: Nigeria to fix irregular power supply in 40 years- Senate
What they are saying
The Minister, in his statement, said, “It is virtually impossible to have the National grid covering every geographical point within Nigeria, that is why the Government is investing heavily in the deployment of Mini-grid systems, which can easily get to the most remote communities and provide clean, affordable energy.
“In 2021, part of our priorities at the Ministry and two of its implementing agencies will be on providing these Mini-grid systems for communities and stand-alone home solar systems. We have a target of 5 million homes. Clean, affordable, and accessible energy for all.”
(READ MORE:FG set to create at least 5 million jobs for youths in the power sector – Minister of Power)
What you should know
The Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman, at the 2021 budget defense before the House of Representatives Committee on Power in Abuja, yesterday disclosed that Nigeria’s installed grid power generation capacity has grown from 8,000MW to 13,000MW under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.
READ: UPDATED: FG appoints Eweluka as NBET MD, as finance, power ministers wrestle
The Minister also pointed out that the distribution system had the capacity to evacuate 5,500MW of power, which is a significant improvement from 4,500MW in 2015.
ENDSARS
Post-#EndSARS: A time of reckoning for the Insurance companies in Nigeria
As the dust from the #EndSARS protests settles down, it is a time of reckoning for insurance companies in Nigeria.
A time of unforeseen circumstances causing huge damages to insured objects is a time to gauge the preparedness and evaluate the financial capacities of the insurers in managing the risk events vis-à-vis indemnifying for losses suffered by their clients. As the dust from the #EndSARS protests settles down, it is a time of reckoning for insurance companies in Nigeria.
The hijacked #EndSARS protests have come and gone, but the smoke raised by the trailing losses/damages are still with the insured and are quite humongous to sink the boat of the entire insurance industry put together, if not properly managed.
READ: AIICO Insurance reports an 86% increase in profit after tax for Q4 2019
From the emerging reports, Lagos state alone requires a whopping sum of N1 trillion to resuscitate the vandalized infrastructures. The concern expressed by many stakeholders is the total costs accruable if all the vandalized infrastructures were fully insured – as the resultant claims could swallow up the insurance industry.
It is not yet clear how much of these assets were appropriately insured but considering that our insurance culture is quite low amongst both the private and public sectors, there is a strong likelihood that some of the vandalized assets might not have been appropriately insured or insured at all.
READ: Ratings firm explains why bank non-performing loans could be worse than expected
Nairametrics recently profiled and reviewed the capital base of some frontline insurance companies in Nigeria and are persuaded to believe that they have the capacity to withstand the vagaries of the emerging losses and still stand strong, considering their excellent past claims settlement history to date.
Leadway Assurance
It is a privately-owned insurance company, whose financial capacity grew over time and can now underwrite risks of very high costs, as regards heavy industries like Oil and gas and big manufacturing concerns.
- It has a capital base in excess of N45 billion, according to its 2019 financial statements and a gross premium was about N89billion.
- In 2019, it settled claims amounted to about N38.5billion.
READ: Cornerstone Insurance to issue bonus shares in view of recapitalisation
Axa Mansard Insurance
It was formerly known as Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc, following the acquisition of its majority shareholding by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
- Results for the period ended 31st December 2019 reveal that the company has shareholders’ funds of N30billion and a gross premium income of about N41.6billion.
- About N17.5billion was settled as claims within the period.
READ: Guinea Insurance Plc gives optimistic Q3 earnings forecast in spite of COVID-19
AIICO Insurance Plc
This is one of the largest Life Insurance companies in Nigeria and a primary underwriter for general insurance businesses, as well as a key player in the Oil and Gas industry.
- As of 2019 year-end, the capital base of the company was N27.9billion, with a gross premium income of N50billion.
- N25.4billion was settled as claims.
Explore some Advanced Financial Calculators on Nairametrics
Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc
- As of December 31, 2019, the company was capitalized to about N19billion, with a gross premium income of N25.2billion.
- It settled the sum of N2.3billion as claims from clients within the period.
READ: NSE closes in the red as MPC leaves rates unchanged
Linkage Assurance Plc
The company is a product of a merger of two major insurance companies – Central Insurance Company Limited and Linkage Assurance Plc, to form a new and bigger Linkage Assurance Plc.
- Results for the period ended 31st December 2019 indicates that the company has shareholders’ funds of about N19billion and a gross premium income of about N6.3billion.
- About N1.7billion was settled as claims within the period.
Bottom line
There is no doubt that the amount of damages is quite huge but the industry has the capacity to absorb the financial shock that could arise from the legitimate resultant claims connected with the hijacked #EndSARS crisis, as the frontline insurance companies are reasonably capitalized with excellent claims settlement histories.
COVID-19: Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown – Buhari
6 Cryptos rich investors are buying
FG to invest in the deployment of Mini-grid systems to power 5 million homes in 2021
Lagos sets up Graduate Internship Programme with a monthly stipend of N40,000 for youth beneficiaries
Daily Parallel Market Exchange Rate – ₦460/$1
COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
Daily Parallel Market Exchange Rate – ₦460/$1
CBN discloses eligible businesses, those ineligible to apply for N75 billion Youth Investment Fund
CBN reveals framework for the N75 billion Youth Investment Fund
Paystack partners Google to empower SMEs in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa
