Onome Amuge
PremiumTrust Bank has become one of the earliest among Nigeria’s newest lenders to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) heightened capital threshold, raising N200 billion well ahead of the March 2026 deadline.
The fast-rising lender, which only began operations in 2022, said recently that it had completed a combination of rights and private placement offerings, a move that received regulatory approval from the CBN. The bank described the fundraising as a demonstration of its financial strength and shareholder confidence, noting it placed the institution in a stronger position to compete with Nigeria’s established tier-one and mid-tier banks.
The central bank announced in March that all national commercial banks must shore up their minimum capital base to N200 billion, part of a sweeping recapitalisation drive aimed at strengthening the banking sector’s resilience against macroeconomic shocks, currency volatility and rising credit risks. Smaller lenders, in particular, face pressure to attract fresh equity to avoid forced mergers, acquisitions or licence downgrades.
“Exceeding the N200bn capital requirement is a defining moment in the bank’s journey. This achievement, coming in just three years of the bank’s existence, is a reflection of our superior financial performance since inception, unwavering commitment to operational excellence, and the trust reposed in us by our shareholders, customers, and regulators,” said Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, PremiumTrust’s managing director and chief executive officer.
Since its founding, PremiumTrust has witnessed aggressive expansion, targeting retail customers alongside corporate banking clients in sectors such as infrastructure and agriculture. Its management argues that the fresh capital will enable it to deepen market share, finance larger projects and continue investing in digital solutions to capture Nigeria’s increasingly tech-savvy customer base.
PremiumTrust positions itself as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing lenders, reporting consistent profit growth since inception and claiming strong customer loyalty. According to analysts, the bank’s early capital raise may also strengthen its hand in potential sector consolidation, should weaker rivals struggle to attract sufficient investment ahead of 2026.
