Context and Challenges for Banks in the OHADA Zone
As a CEO, Risk Director, Credit Director, or Engagements Director of a bank in the OHADA zone, you are navigating a critical period of strategic planning and goal alignment. This phase involves validating annual goals, closing the previous fiscal year, and submitting initial prudential reports to regulators. Preparing for the audit by statutory auditors and holding shareholder meetings are also key milestones that impact your bank’s performance.
Objective: Increasing Net Banking Income (NBI) While Complying with Prudential Constraints.
Your primary goal is to grow your Net Banking Income (NBI) to achieve the budgetary targets presented during the end-of-year committee. This entails granting credit to counterparts in your portfolio (Sovereign, Large Corporates, Corporates, and SMEs), thereby contributing effectively to regional economic financing. However, you face limitations imposed by prudential ratios, which restrict your financing capacities and hinder the growth of your commitments.
The Solution: ETC’s Concentration Risk Bond (CRB).Export Trading Cooperation (ETC) offers a tailored solution to these challenges: the Concentration Risk Bond (CRB). ETC is a European guarantee institution that supports banks and institutions operating in Africa. ETC provides technical and financial services to back investment and international trade projects.
ETC holds a public A3- rating (risk category 2 under EU standards) from the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and an AA long-term and A1 short-term rating by Bloomfield Investment Corporation, valid in the AMF-UMOA zone. As an active SWIFT member under the code ETCGIT2T, ETC is equipped to provide guarantee instruments such as Standby Letters of Credit (SBLC) compliant with the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
How Does the Concentration Risk Bond (CRB) Work?
The CRB is a risk-sharing guarantee designed to help banks manage concentration risks. By adhering to Basel III standards, this instrument limits exposure to 25% of regulatory capital, enabling banks to extend credit to large counterparts without compromising prudential compliance.
Key Benefits of the CRB:
- Risk Mitigation: Reduces Exposure at Default (EAD) in case of counterparty default.
- Asset Weighting: Leverages ETC’s public A3- rating to adjust exposure weighting, thereby freeing up capital.
- Financing Optimization: Facilitates increased project financing while respecting concentration risk limits.
Who is the CRB For?
The CRB targets financial and development institutions seeking to:
- Support strategic clients in their projects and commercial transactions.
- Handle significant risks without exceeding the prudential limit of 25%.
- Stimulate SME financing and contribute to local economic growth.
- Improve solvency ratios and optimize the use of their regulatory capital.
Why Choose ETC?
ETC provides a flexible and tailored solution to the needs of African banks, meeting regulatory requirements while enabling growth in their financing activities. The CRB is a strategic response to challenges linked to prudential ratios, allowing institutions to support the economy while strengthening their financial resilience.
