Access Holdings exits CBN regulatory forbearance, affirms strong capital base

Access Holdings Plc has announced its intention to fully exit the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulatory forbearance regime on credit facilities by June 30, 2025. The move comes as part of the tier-1 lender’s effort to reassure investors of its robust financial health and continued ability to deliver shareholder value amid tightening regulatory oversight.

In a statement released on June 18, 2025, Access Bank Plc, the flagship subsidiary of Access Holdings, confirmed its full compliance with the CBN’s Single Obligor Limit (SOL) as of the date of the announcement and reiterated its commitment to remaining within prudential guidelines going forward.

The bank emphasized that it will regularize any outstanding issues related to regulatory forbearance — temporary relief provided by the CBN to cushion banks from the effects of large credit exposures or economic shocks — before the end of the month.

“We assure our esteemed shareholders and stakeholders of our commitment to delivering sustainable value in the immediate and long term, and thank them for their trust and support over the years,” the statement read.

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Crucially, the bank reaffirmed its capacity to continue dividend payments and maintain strong capital buffers, even as it prepares to exit the forbearance regime.

“As of December 31, 2024, Access Bank Plc was the first commercial bank with international authorization to meet and surpass the new N500 billion minimum capital requirement set by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement added.

Regulatory forbearance refers to temporary leniency extended to banks by the central bank in the face of compliance challenges, particularly around capital adequacy, non-performing loan (NPL) thresholds, and single obligor exposures — often triggered by large, stressed credit facilities or adverse macroeconomic events.

The June 13 directive is part of a broader effort by the CBN to tighten financial sector supervision amid rising concerns over asset quality, growing NPL ratios, and systemic vulnerabilities.

Access Holdings’ swift response is expected to offer reassurance to shareholders and market analysts who have been closely watching how affected banks navigate the new regulatory landscape. The NGX banking index has come under pressure in recent days, as investors reassess banks based on their capital strength, earnings outlook, and dividend sustainability.

Analysts say Access Bank’s early compliance and capital strength position it favorably compared to peers still grappling with the fallout from the regulatory tightening.

By signaling readiness to fully comply ahead of the CBN’s June 30 deadline — while continuing to pay dividends and meet capital requirements — Access Holdings is sending a strong message of resilience and strategic foresight, at a time when confidence in the banking sector is being closely scrutinized.