Limassol, 2017 — Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has today downgraded to B2 from B1 the long-term local currency deposit and issuer ratings of four Nigerian banks — Access Bank Plc (Access), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and Zenith Bank Plc (Zenith) and the long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings of Bank of Industry, a Nigerian development bank. Moody’s also downgraded to B3 from B2 the long-term foreign currency deposit ratings of Access, GTBank, UBA and Zenith, as well as those of Union Bank of Nigeria plc (Union), First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) and Sterling Bank Plc (Sterling). Concurrently, Moody’s downgraded the baseline credit assessments (BCAs) of Zenith and GTBank to b2 from b1.
A full list of affected ratings is provided towards the end of this press release.
Today’s rating action follows Moody’s downgrade of Nigeria’s government bond ratings to B2, with a stable outlook, from B1, with stable outlook, on 7 November 2017 (see press release: Moody’s downgrades Nigeria’s sovereign issuer ratings to B2 with a stable outlook; https://www.moodys.com/research/–PR_374801) and reflects (1) the government’s reduced capacity to provide support to Nigerian banks in times of stress and (2) the banks’ significant holdings of government securities linking their credit profiles to that of the government. The decision to downgrade banks’ long-term foreign currency deposit ratings follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling for foreign currency deposits to B3 from B2.
RATINGS RATIONALE
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT ON BANKS’ LOCAL CURRENCY DEPOSIT RATINGS
The primary driver of today’s rating action is the weaker capacity of the government to provide support to banks, in case of stress, as reflected in the downgrade of the sovereign issuer rating to B2 from B1. Subsequently, Access’ and UBA’s long-term local currency deposit ratings and Bank of Industry’s long-term issuer ratings no longer benefit from a one-notch uplift from their b2 BCAs (or standalone credit profile, as is the case for Bank of Industry) as these are now at the same level as the government bond rating. The long-term local currency deposit ratings of Sterling, Union and FBN have been affirmed at B2, as their b3 BCAs continue benefiting from one notch of government support uplift.
WEAKER CREDIT PROFILE OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT EXERTS PRESSURE ON BANKS
The secondary driver of today’s rating action is the Nigerian banks’ significant holdings of government securities, which generally exceed 100% of their core capital, linking their credit profile to that of the government. In view of the correlation between sovereign and bank credit risk, the banks’ standalone credit profiles and ratings are constrained by the rating of the government. As a result, the BCAs for Zenith and GTBank have been downgraded to b2 from b1, in line with the downgrade of the government issuer rating, despite the resilient financial performance witnessed by both banks over the last 24 months. The BCAs of the other rated Nigerian banks have been affirmed as they already capture risks emanating from their sovereign exposures.
INDIVIDUAL BANKS’ MAIN RATING DRIVERS
Union Bank of Nigeria plc
Moody’s has today affirmed Union Bank’s BCA and adjusted BCA at b3, long-term local currency deposit rating at B2, local and foreign currency issuer ratings at B2 and global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings at Not-Prime. Concurrently, Moody’s has downgraded Union’s long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, the long-term Counterparty Risk Assessment (CR Assessment) to B2(cr) from B1(cr), long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to A2.ng from Aa3.ng and foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from A1.ng/NG-1. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The affirmations reflect (1) Moody’s expectation of robust levels of tangible common equity over the next 12 to 18 months, following recent completion of a rights issue and (2) a stable deposit-based funding structure and moderate local currency liquidity buffers. These strengths are balanced against (3) elevated credit risks on the back of single-name and sector concentration risks and (4) relatively modest profitability levels versus larger local peers. The local currency deposit and issuer ratings also continue to incorporate one notch uplift from the bank’s b3 BCA based on our assessment of a high probability of government support in case of need.
The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. Similarly, the downgrade of the bank’s long-term CR Assessment reflects the government’s reduced capacity to provide support in case of need. As a result, the CR Assessment, which is positioned one notch above the adjusted BCA of b3, reflecting Moody’s view that its probability of default is lower than that of deposits, no longer benefits from government support uplift. The downgrade of the local currency deposit national scale rating (NSR) is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited
Moody’s has today affirmed FBN’s BCA and adjusted BCA at b3, long-term local currency deposit rating at B2, local and foreign currency issuer ratings at B2, short-term global scale deposit and issuer ratings at Not-Prime, and local currency national scale ratings at A2.ng/NG-1. Concurrently, Moody’s has downgraded the bank’s long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from A2.ng/NG-1, and long-term CR Assessment to B2(cr) from B1(cr). The outlook on the deposit and issuer ratings remains negative.
The affirmations reflect (1) FBN’s still weak asset risk metrics, with non-performing loans (NPLs) estimated at over 20% of gross loans as of June 2017, albeit on a declining trend, (2) still tight – although improving – foreign currency liquidity, counterbalanced by (3) the bank’s resilient pre-provision profitability — with FBN’s pre-provision profits at 3.9% of average total assets — and an equity-to-assets ratio of 11.7% as of June 2017 and (4) a stable deposit-based funding structure and strong local currency liquidity buffers. The local currency deposit and issuer ratings also continue to incorporate one notch uplift from the bank’s b3 BCA based on our assessment of a high probability of government support in case of need.
The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. Similarly, the downgrade of the bank’s long-term CR Assessment reflects the government’s weakened capacity to provide support in case of need. As a result, the CR Assessment, which is positioned one notch above the adjusted BCA of b3, reflecting Moody’s view that its probability of default is lower than that of deposits, no longer benefits from an additional notch of government support uplift.
Access Bank Plc
Moody’s has today affirmed the BCA and adjusted BCA of Access at b2, long-term CR Assessment at B1(cr) and global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings at Not-Prime. Concurrently, Moody’s has downgraded Access’ long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1, long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to B2 from B1, long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to A1.ng from Aa2.ng and foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from Aa3.ng/NG-1. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The affirmation of the bank’s BCA reflects its strong asset quality metrics and robust loan underwriting standards and risk management processes, large local currency liquidity buffers, and resilient capital buffers. These strengths are balanced against concentration risks in the bank’s loan book, including its exposure to loans denominated in foreign currency.
The downgrades are primarily driven by the rating agency’s view that the government’s capacity to provide support for Nigerian banks in times of stress has weakened as indicated by Moody’s recent downgrade of Nigeria’s government bond ratings to B2 stable from B1 stable. The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. The downgrade of the local currency deposit NSR is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
Moody’s has today downgraded GTBank’s BCA and adjusted BCA to b2 from b1, long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1, long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to B2 from B1, long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to Aa3.ng from Aa1.ng, foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from Aa3.ng/NG-1 and long-term CR Assessment to B1(cr) from Ba3(cr). The Aa3.ng/NG-1 local currency deposit national scale rating (NSR) now represents the highest attainable NSR rating in Nigeria. The global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings were affirmed at Not-Prime. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The downgrades are primarily driven by the bank’s high exposure to government securities that link the bank’s credit profile to that of the government. The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. The downgrade of the local currency deposit NSR is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
GTBank’s ratings reflect (1) the bank’s resilient earnings generation capacity and robust capital buffers, which together provide a relatively thick cushion to withstand asset quality deterioration compared with domestic peers, (2) the bank’s high liquidity buffers and a predominantly deposit funded balance sheet, and (3) the bank’s robust franchise, which allows it to attract inexpensive deposits and to lend to high credit quality borrowers (relative to other Nigerian banks), resulting in relatively strong asset quality metrics and low credit costs.
Sterling Bank Plc
Moody’s has today affirmed the BCA and adjusted BCA of Sterling at b3, long-term local currency deposit rating at B2, local and foreign currency issuer ratings at B2 and global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings at Not-Prime. Concurrently, Moody’s has downgraded the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, long-term CR Assessment to B2(cr) from B1(cr), long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to A2.ng from A1.ng and foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from A2.ng/NG-1. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The affirmations reflect (1) Sterling’s resilient deposit funded balance sheet and stable local currency liquidity balanced against, (2) the bank’s low foreign currency liquidity buffers, and (3) vulnerabilities in asset quality on account of high single-name and sector concentration risks. The local currency deposit and issuer ratings also continue to incorporate one notch uplift from the bank’s b3 BCA based on our assessment of a high probability of government support in case of need.
The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. Similarly, the downgrade of the bank’s long-term CR Assessment reflects the government’s reduced capacity to provide support in case of need. As a result, the CR Assessment, which is positioned one notch above the adjusted BCA of b3 reflecting Moody’s view that its probability of default is lower than that of deposits, no longer benefits from government support uplift. The downgrade of the local currency deposit NSR is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA)
Moody’s has today affirmed UBA’s BCA and adjusted BCA at b2, long-term CR Assessment at B1(cr) and global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings at Not-Prime. Concurrently, Moody’s has downgraded UBA’s long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1, long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to B2 from B1, long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to A1.ng from Aa2.ng and foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from Aa3.ng/NG-1. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The affirmations reflect (1) the bank’s resilient asset quality profile, which is more geographically diversified than most of its peers and (2) then bank’s predominantly deposit funded balance sheet, which is supported by a solid pan-African franchise.
The downgrades are primarily driven by Moody’s view that the government’s capacity to provide support for Nigerian banks in times of stress has weakened as indicated by Moody’s recent downgrade of Nigeria’s government bond ratings to B2 stable from B1 stable. The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. The downgrade of the local currency deposit NSR is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
Zenith Bank Plc
Moody’s has today downgraded Zenith’s BCA and adjusted BCA to b2 from b1, long-term local currency deposit rating to B2 from B1, long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 from B2, long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to B2 from B1, long term local currency national scale deposit ratings to Aa3.ng from Aaa.ng, foreign currency national scale deposit ratings to A3.ng/NG-2 from Aa3.ng/NG-1, long-term CR Assessment to B1(cr) from Ba3(cr). The Aa3.ng/NG-1 local currency deposit NSR now represents the highest attainable NSR rating in Nigeria. The global scale short-term deposit and issuer ratings were affirmed at Not-Prime. The outlook on all long-term deposit and issuer ratings remains stable.
The downgrades are primarily driven by the bank’s high exposure to government securities that links the bank’s credit profile to that of the government. The decision to downgrade the long term foreign currency deposit rating to B3 and the foreign currency national scale ratings to A3.ng/NG-2, follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling, which captures foreign currency and convertibility risks. The downgrade of the local currency deposit NSR is a result of the repositioning of our relative ranking of Nigerian banks within our NSR map following the downgrade of the corresponding local currency deposit global scale rating.
Zenith’s ratings reflect (1) the bank’s resilient earnings generating capacity and robust capital buffers, which together provide a cushion to withstand asset quality deterioration, (2) the bank’s high liquidity buffers and a predominantly deposit funded balance sheet, and (3) the bank’s robust franchise, which allows it to attract inexpensive deposits and to lend to high credit quality borrowers (relative to other Nigerian banks), resulting in relatively strong asset quality metrics and low credit costs.
Bank of Industry
Moody’s has today downgraded Bank of Industry’s long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings to B2 from B1 and its long term local and foreign currency national scale issuer ratings to Aa3.ng from Aa1.ng. The Aa3.ng/NG-1 national scale issuer rating now represents the highest attainable national scale rating (NSR) in Nigeria. All global scale short-term issuer ratings were affirmed at Not-Prime. The outlook on all long-term issuer ratings remains stable.
Bank of Industry’s b2 standalone profile remains unchanged and reflects (1) its robust capital buffers, with an equity to assets ratio of 34.0% as of June 2017, (2) a stable liability structure made up of long-term funding at concessional rates and (3) the tangible improvements to the bank’s risk positioning in recent years. These strengths are balanced against (4) our expectation that asset quality will be increasingly pressured given then bank’s higher risk exposure to the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) segment, which exposes it to riskier assets.
The downgrades are primarily driven by Moody’s view that the government’s capacity to provide support for Nigerian banks in times of stress has weakened as indicated by Moody’s recent downgrade of Nigeria’s government bond ratings to B2 stable from B1 stable. The downgrade of the NSR is a result of the repositioning of the bank’s rating within our NSR map following the aforementioned downgrades of the corresponding global scale ratings.
WHAT COULD MOVE RATINGS UP OR DOWN
A demonstrated ability to contain non-performing loans while maintaining solid core profitability and capital generation could put upward pressure on the banks’ BCAs or lead to a stabilisation in the outlook in the case of FBN. An upgrade of the banks’ global scale deposit and issuer ratings would be contingent on an improvement in the operating environment that translates to an upgrade of Nigeria’s sovereign rating.
The ratings could be downgraded in the event of a further downgrade of the sovereign and/or if we assess that the government’s willingness to provide support in the future will decline below our current assumptions. The ratings could also be downgraded if we anticipate that a deterioration in the macro environment poses downside risks for asset quality and/or the capital generation capacity of the banks beyond what is already assumed in the ratings.
LIST OF AFFECTED RATINGS
Issuer: Access Bank Plc
Downgrades:
….LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to A1.ng from Aa2.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from Aa3.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
Affirmations:
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed B1(cr)
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: Bank of Industry
Downgrades:
….LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to Aa3.ng from Aa1.ng
Affirmations:
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NG-1
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: First Bank of Nigeria Limited
Downgrades:
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from A2.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B2(cr) from B1(cr)
Affirmations:
….LT Issuer Rating, Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Negative
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Negative
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed A2.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Negative
Issuer: Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
Downgrades:
….LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to Aa3.ng from Aa1.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from Aa3.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B1(cr) from Ba3(cr)
Affirmations:
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: Sterling Bank Plc
Downgrades:
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to A2.ng from A1.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from A2.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B2(cr) from B1(cr)
Affirmations:
….LT Issuer Rating, Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: Union Bank of Nigeria plc
Downgrades:
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to A2.ng from Aa3.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from A1.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B2(cr) from B1(cr)
Affirmations:
….LT Issuer Rating, Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b3
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: United Bank for Africa Plc
Downgrades:
….LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to A1.ng from Aa2.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from Aa3.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
Affirmations:
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Affirmed b2
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed B1(cr)
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
Issuer: Zenith Bank Plc
Downgrades:
….LT Issuer Rating, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to B3 from B2, Outlook Remains Stable
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Downgraded to Aa3.ng from Aaa.ng
….NSR LT Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to A3.ng from Aa3.ng
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Foreign Currency), Downgraded to NG-2 from NG-1
….Senior Unsecured Regular Bond/Debenture, Downgraded to B2 from B1, Outlook Remains Stable
….Senior Unsecured MTN Program, Downgraded to (P)B2 from (P)B1
….Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1
….Baseline Credit Assessment, Downgraded to b2 from b1
….LT Counterparty Risk Assessment, Downgraded to B1(cr) from Ba3(cr)
Affirmations:
….ST Issuer Rating, Affirmed NP
….ST Bank Deposits, Affirmed NP
….NSR ST Bank Deposits (Local Currency), Affirmed NG-1
….ST Counterparty Risk Assessment, Affirmed NP(cr)
Outlook Actions:
….Outlook, Remains Stable
PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGIES
The principal methodology used in Access Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc ratings was Banks published in September 2017.
The principal methodologies used in Bank of Industry ratings were Finance Companies published in December 2016, and Government-Related Issuers published in August 2017. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.
Moody’s National Scale Credit Ratings (NSRs) are intended as relative measures of creditworthiness among debt issues and issuers within a country, enabling market participants to better differentiate relative risks. NSRs differ from Moody’s global scale credit ratings in that they are not globally comparable with the full universe of Moody’s rated entities, but only with NSRs for other rated debt issues and issuers within the same country. NSRs are designated by a “.nn” country modifier signifying the relevant country, as in “.za” for South Africa. For further information on Moody’s approach to national scale credit ratings, please refer to Moody’s Credit rating Methodology published in May 2016 entitled “Mapping National Scale Ratings from Global Scale Ratings”. While NSRs have no inherent absolute meaning in terms of default risk or expected loss, a historical probability of default consistent with a given NSR can be inferred from the GSR to which it maps back at that particular point in time. For information on the historical default rates associated with different global scale rating categories over different investment horizons, please see https://www.moodys.com/researchdocumentcontentpage.aspx?docid=PBC_1060333.
REGULATORY DISCLOSURES
For ratings issued on a program, series or category/class of debt, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to each rating of a subsequently issued bond or note of the same series or category/class of debt or pursuant to a program for which the ratings are derived exclusively from existing ratings in accordance with Moody’s rating practices. For ratings issued on a support provider, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the credit rating action on the support provider and in relation to each particular credit rating action for securities that derive their credit ratings from the support provider’s credit rating. For provisional ratings, this announcement provides certain regulatory disclosures in relation to the provisional rating assigned, and in relation to a definitive rating that may be assigned subsequent to the final issuance of the debt, in each case where the transaction structure and terms have not changed prior to the assignment of the definitive rating in a manner that would have affected the rating. For further information please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page for the respective issuer on www.moodys.com.
For any affected securities or rated entities receiving direct credit support from the primary entity(ies) of this credit rating action, and whose ratings may change as a result of this credit rating action, the associated regulatory disclosures will be those of the guarantor entity. Exceptions to this approach exist for the following disclosures, if applicable to jurisdiction: Ancillary Services, Disclosure to rated entity, Disclosure from rated entity.
Regulatory disclosures contained in this press release apply to the credit rating and, if applicable, the related rating outlook or rating review.
Items color coded in purple in this Press Release relate to unsolicited ratings for a rated entity which is non-participating.
The below contact information is provided for information purposes only. Please see the ratings tab of the issuer page at www.moodys.com, for each of the ratings covered, Moody’s disclosures on the lead rating analyst and the Moody’s legal entity that has issued the ratings.
The relevant office for each credit rating is identified in “Debt/deal box” on the Ratings tab in the Debt/Deal List section of each issuer/entity page of the website.
Please see www.moodys.com for any updates on changes to the lead rating analyst and to the Moody’s legal entity that has issued the rating.
Please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for additional regulatory disclosures for each credit rating.
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CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. AND ITS RATINGS AFFILIATES (“MIS”) ARE MOODY’S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS MAY INCLUDE MOODY’S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES. MOODY’S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY’S OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY’S ANALYTICS, INC. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. NEITHER CREDIT RATINGS NOR MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY’S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS AND PUBLISHES MOODY’S PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE.
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To the extent permitted by law, MOODY’S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY’S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY’S.
To the extent permitted by law, MOODY’S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY’S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information.
NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH RATING OR OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY’S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation (“MCO”), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,500 to approximately $2,500,000. MCO and MIS also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of MIS’s ratings and rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold ratings from MIS and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading “Investor Relations — Corporate Governance — Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy.”
Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY’S affiliate, Moody’s Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody’s Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to “wholesale clients” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY’S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a “wholesale client” and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to “retail clients” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY’S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors. It would be reckless and inappropriate for retail investors to use MOODY’S credit ratings or publications when making an investment decision. If in doubt you should contact your financial or other professional adviser.
Additional terms for Japan only: Moody’s Japan K.K. (“MJKK”) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody’s Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody’s Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody’s SF Japan K.K. (“MSFJ”) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively.
MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY200,000 to approximately JPY350,000,000.
MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements.
