Withdrawal of COVID-19 Forbearance pushes banks’ bad loans above CBN limit
By Elizabeth Adegbesan The withdrawal of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) COVID-19 regulatory forbearance given to banks has pushed banks’ Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) ratio to 9.94 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26), significantly above the apex bank’s prudential benchmark of 5.0 per cent. The development was disclosed in the CBN’s first quarter […]
CBN to reduce interest rate on N220bn MSMSE Fund
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will soon review downward the interest rate for borrowing through the N220 billion Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSME) fund.
Brent rebounds above $71 in turbulent oil market
Brent rose to $71 a barrel yesterday, recovering some of its losses from the previous session as a turbulent market searched for a price floor after a nearly 40 percent fall since June. Oil has seen choppy trade since the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said last week it would not lower output despite an oversupplied market.
NSE to commence trading on Derivatives in 2016
The Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, has disclosed plan to commence trading in financial derivative in 2016.
Oil steadies below $73 after hitting five-year low
Brent crude oil steadied below $73 a barrel yesterday, although Russian and Nigerian currencies remained under pressure on persistent doubts over their central banks’ ability to provide support. With Brent crude trading at about $72, breaking a five-day losing streak, the rouble staged a brief rally but headed lower again, losing 1.4 percent against the dollar.
Operators advocate overhaul of privatisation laws
Some capital market operators have called on the Federal Government to intensify effort towards amending the existing privatization laws that would transform the Nigerian economy.
