PremiumTrust Bank has secured dual long-term credit rating upgrades from prominent African credit rating agencies Agusto & Co. (upgraded from BBB+ to A-) and DataPro Limited (upgraded from A- to A).
PremiumTrust Bank has secured upgraded credit ratings from two major agencies, Agusto & Co. and DataPro Limited following strong improvements in its financial position, liquidity and overall profitability.
Agusto & Co. raised the bank’s long-term rating from BBB+ to A- and its short-term rating from A2 to A1. Similarly, DataPro upgraded the lender’s long-term rating from A- to A while maintaining its short-term rating at A1. In the banking industry, an “A” rating indicates a low credit-risk profile and a strong ability to meet financial obligations.
The credit rating agencies attributed the upgrades to a major boost in the bank’s financial reserves. PremiumTrust Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) a key metric measuring a bank’s ability to absorb potential financial losses doubled from 20.8% to 40.8%.
The bank also posted strong performance metrics across several operational areas. It recorded a liquidity ratio of 71.1% alongside a net interest margin of 83.3%, while maintaining strict operational control with a low 3.2% cost of funds and a 23.2% cost-to-income ratio.
On asset quality, the bank kept its non-performing loan ratio down to 0.2%, indicating that virtually all customer loans are being repaid on schedule.
Furthermore, Agusto & Co. underscored the bank’s pre-tax return on equity of 84.6%, identifying it as the highest rate in the Nigerian banking industry.
These upgrades follow the bank’s 2025 financial results, where it reported ₦177.1 billion in pre-tax profit and accumulated ₦1.7 trillion in total assets.
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Beyond financial figures, both rating agencies cited the strength of the bank’s management team, expanding branch network, growing digital presence and risk management frameworks as key factors supporting the improved ratings.
Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PremiumTrust Bank, stated that the upgraded ratings validate the core foundation established by the bank. He added that the institution will focus on converting this momentum into sustained growth by strengthening its balance sheet, expanding its physical and digital operations and supporting local businesses and communities.
