Access Bank secures B- IDR with stable outlook from Fitch

Rating agency, Fitch, has a rmed Access Bank Plc’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B-‘with a Stable Outlook.

It also a rmed the bank’s National Long-Term Rating at ‘A+(nga)’ and assigned a Stable Outlook.

According to Fitch, Access Bank’s National Long-Term Rating balances its leading franchise against weaker core capitalisation and pro tability than higher-rated peers.

Again, Access Bank’s IDRs, it said, are driven by its standalone creditworthiness, as expressed by its ‘b- ‘Viability Rating (VR).

Leading Franchise

Access Bank is Nigeria’s largest bank group, accounting for 16% of banking system assets at end-2022.

According to Fitch, it has acquired several small banks in other Sub-Saharan African countries in recent years, in line with its

African expansion strategy.

It expects acquisitions to continue, strengthening Access Bank’s franchise and geographical diversi cation.

It has a record of integrating domestic acquisitions but the large number of cross-border acquisitions creates execution risks and may pressure capital.

High Sovereign Exposure

Fitch said the single-obligor credit con- centration is high, with the 20 largest loans representing 193% of Fitch Core Capital (FCC) at end-2022.

Oil and gas exposure (23% of gross loans at end-2022) is material but lower than at other domestic systemically important banks (D-SIB).

Fitch added that Nigeria sovereign exposure through securities and CBN cash reserves is very high relative to FCC (over 600% at end-2022). Challenging operating

Environment

It noted that bankscontinue to contend with US dollar shortages and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) highly burdensome cash reserve requirement. It therefore expects reform progress under the new administration, including elimination of fuel subsidies and gradual liberalization of the naira. However, there is a risk of a sharp depreciation due to the large disparity between the o cial and parallel exchange rates.