Rating Release

Agusto & Co. upgrades the rating assigned to TAJBank Limited to ‘Bbb’, with a stable outlook

 The rating expires on 30 June 2023.

Agusto & Co. hereby upgrades the credit rating of TAJBank Limited (“TAJBank” or “the Bank”) to “Bbb”. The credit rating reflects the Bank’s growing and adequate capitalisation backed by strong shareholders’ support as well as improving profitability metrics. Since operations commenced in December 2019, TAJBank has continued to expand its capital base through private placements.

The Bank raised ₦1.3 billion in FY 2020 and followed up with an additional ₦2 billion in October 2021. After the year-end, TAJBank raised a further core capital of ₦4.2 billion in April 2022 that is undergoing regulatory approvals and schedules a Sukuk issuance for H2 2022 to fortify the capital base. Consequently, the Bank’s shareholders’ fund, Basel II capital adequacy ratio and Basel III common equity tier 1 ratio stood comfortably above the regulatory minimum as at 31 December 2021. However, constraining these positive rating factors are the limited operating history of TAJBank and the high operating cost profile amid the prevailing macroeconomic headwind which continues to threaten asset quality.