Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent of the Ecobank Group, yesterday said that one of its significant subsidiaries, Ecobank Nigeria, secured N50 billion, 10-Year bilateral subordinated loan.

In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), ETI explained that the funding provides stable medium-term liquidity to the balance sheet of Ecobank Nigeria and positively improved its balance sheet ratios. The proceeds would be deployed to support micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) and small corporates.

The bilateral funding will enable the bank to maintain stable liquidity and improve its balance sheet, especially the capital adequacy ratio by an estimated circa 300 basis points.

The disclosure from the bank read thus: “Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (“ETI”), the parent of the Ecobank Group, announces that one of its significant subsidiaries, Ecobank Nigeria, secured N50 billion, 10-Year bilateral subordinated loan.

“The bilateral funding provides stable medium-term liquidity to the balance sheet of Ecobank Nigeria and positively improved its balance sheet ratios, especially the capital adequacy ratio by circa 300 basis points. The transaction proceeds would be deployed to support Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (“MSMEs”) and Small Corporates.”

Ecobank Transnational Inc. had earlier recorded an 11% rise in its interest income to N139.6 billion for Q3 2020.

Subordinated loans have lower priority than other debt instruments in case of liquidation. They are only repayable after other debts have been paid.

This debt can either be secured or unsecured and it typically has a lower credit rating and higher yield than other senior debt.