PremiumTrust’s capital adequacy doubles to 40.8% as Agusto, DataPro upgrade bank

PremiumTrust Bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) has nearly doubled to 40.8 percent, strengthening its financial buffer as Agusto & Co. and DataPro Limited upgraded the bank’s credit ratings.

Agusto & Co. upgraded the bank’s long-term rating from BBB+ to A- and its short-term rating from A2 to A1, while DataPro raised its long-term rating from A- to A and affirmed its short-term rating at A1.

The upgrades by the two rating agencies underscore the bank’s stronger capital position, sound risk management and consistent growth trajectory, coming against the backdrop of improved financial performance.

According to the agencies, PremiumTrust’s capital adequacy ratio rose from 20.8 percent to 40.8 percent, while its liquidity ratio stood at 71.1 percent. The bank also recorded a net interest margin of 83.3 percent, indicating strong earnings from its interest-generating assets.

Asset quality remained strong, with the bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio at 0.2 percent, while its cost of funds stood at 3.2 percent. Its cost-to-income ratio of 23.2 percent also reflected continued cost efficiency.

Agusto & Co. further noted that PremiumTrust recorded a pre-tax return on equity of 84.6 percent, which it described as the highest in the Nigerian banking industry.

The bank reported a pre-tax profit of N177.1 billion and total assets of N1.7 trillion in its 2025 financial year, reflecting the expansion of its balance sheet four years after commencing operations.

A long-term rating in the ‘A’ category…