ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA (AMCON): THE GENESIS AND PROSPECTS
Abstract
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed to law the incorporation of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on the 19th of July 2010, with the hope that it will bring about the revival of the banking sector, increase employment, promote higher output and enhance a rapid economic recovery. This paper studies the genesis of this new development, the expectations, the funding model and the prospects.
The Genesis
The idea of having a state owned Asset Management Company in Nigeria was first raised by the immediate past CBN governor, Professor Charles Soludo in 2004 as part of his 13-point reform agenda of the banking sector during his tenure as the CBN governor. It was an idea that was not brought too reality.
The global economic recession that came to the forefront of business and media world in September, 2008 has its impact on the Nigerian economy. This recession led to a collapse in the prices of commodities and securities, as the price of crude oil, which is the major source of government revenue dropped from $147 per barrel to $35 per barrel within 120days. There was a decline in the prices of equities, and an exposure of the mismanagement in the banking sector. There was the unraveling of the weak risk management structure and a weak corporate governance in the banking industry at the period. As a result of growth in equities before the decline, banks gave out margin loans and other loans collaterized with shares and some loans issued without collateral based on personal interest without anticipating the steep decline that occurred. The illiquidity of this shares constrained borrowers from meeting up with their obligation.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi,a risk management and control expert was appointed the CBN governor by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in June 2009, which was in the middle of the crunch. Sanusi had a strict bank examination, came up with the banking sector reforms in August 2009, which led to the further exposure of the weak corporate governance and inadequate risk management measures in the banking industry. Eight banks were affected while six bank managing directors parted with their jobs and N620 billion was injected into the system to recapitalize these banks and avoid a close down. The CBN governor adopted the following measures as part of his bail out reform to ensure a better and trust banking system in Nigeria:
· A common financial year end
· Prudential guidelines
· Fixed tenure of CEOs and Directors
· Setting up the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria(AMCON)
· And good rules on governance, transparency and accountability.
A proposal for the AMCON was made and at the last MPC meeting held on the 5th of July, 2010, the governor of CBN hoped that the harmonized AMCON would be passed to law and kick off sometimes in September as a tool to the perfection of the reforms that was embarked upon to promote stability in the industry and enhance a rapid economic recovery. The president signed the bill to law earlier than anticipated, meaning that the door to the final phase of the banking sector reforms has been opened. The banking sector awaits a credible monetary regime with this positive step.
The Expectations
The signing to law of AMCON is a reflection of the Federal government’s commitment in safeguarding the interest of depositors, creditors and other operators in the financial system. The sole aim of AMCON is to ensure stability in the financial sector and enhance economic recovery.
The route to the attainment of this objective is in the expectation placed on AMCON to boost the liquidity in the troubled banks by buying their non-performing loans, help in the recapitalization of the affected banks that CBN has embarked upon and increase access to of restructuring opportunities to borrowers.
AMCON is expected to ease the liquidity crunch in the financial sector, clean up the banks’ balance sheet, bring confidence to the banking industry and the capital market, prevent loss of jobs in the banking industry, increase Nigeria’s credit and risk rating, higher economic output, increase in demand for shares and appreciation of market indices, encourage lending to grow the real sector of the economy and enhance job creation.
The Funding Model
The reality of AMCON is a joint effort of the ministry of finance, CBN, SEC, NDIC, NSE and the Ministry of Justice. The CBN and the ministry of finance are to raise the authorized capital of N10billion for the start up on a 50:50 or an equal ratio. The next step as proclaimed by the minister of finance is to appoint the management team.
Also, the banks are to contribute 0.3% of their balance sheet worth into the sinking fund to support course of AMCON, starting from 31st December, 2010. This was agreed at the just concluded bankers’ committee meeting held on the 21st of July, 2010 and it is to run for the next 10years. The fund will be invested in a zero coupon and serve as a standby pool to make up for any funding shortfall from the model CBN has put in place for the corporation. The step taken by the banks will reduce the fiscal burden the corporation may impose on the government.
Nigerian Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) will also contribute to the funding from its dividend. NDIC is considering the reduction of the premium every bank pays yearly which is about 1% of the value of its deposit as an insurance premium to the corporation.
The corporation is expecting N500billion from CBN to be paid in tranches for the next 10years, 0.3% of banks’ balance sheet worth which may amount to N1trillion at the end of the 10years AMCON is to run for and a substantial amount from NDIC. This reveals that AMCON is expecting over N1.5trillion to secure a risk free banking system in Nigeria.
The Prospects
The setting up of a state owned asset management corporation is an ideal way to tackle credit crisis in the financial system of any economy. Managing bad asset is a central activity in the financial sector restructuring. CBN, NDIC, SEC which are the regulators believe having an AMCON will solve the problem of Non Performing Loans (NPL) and create a risk free banking system. The government unanimously signed the harmonized bill to law while the banks believe in AMCON to be the messiah; this led to the banks bearing of the major capital share of AMCON.
The government of the East Asian countries adopted the idea of a state owned asset management company during the financial crisis in their region in the late 1990s and it worked out well in attaining economic stability, the AMC bought the banks’ Non Performing Loans and led the economy of these nations to what we have today as emerging economies. We had in Czech republic, Central Asset Management Company (Konsolidation bank); in France, Consortium de Realisation(CDR); in Indonesia, Indonesian Restructuring Agency; Thailand, Thailand Asset Management Company(TAMC); and Korea Asset Management(KAMCO).
Factors that will Enhance the Success of a State Owned Asset Management Corporation
· A strong political will
· An explicit government financial support
· An effective legal backing: A good legal regime with bankruptcy and foreclosure laws will aid quick attainment of purpose
· Clear AMC mandate: The objectives and mode of operation must be well stated.
· A well defined life span: the tenure of an AMC must not be too long
· Adequate governance: An AMC must have a good internal control system with an external body supervising its actions
· Good transparency: An AMC must periodically disclose the result of its operations and audit performance.
· Speedy resolution: An AMC should not hold on to acquired asset for so long. Waiting for an economic turnaround to increase recovery often leads to slower resolution and larger losses.
Conclusion
The setting up of an Asset management corporation of Nigeria is a welcomed development aimed at buying the banks’ Non Performing Loans(NPL) and ensure stability in the financial sector.
If the AMCON will be managed by people that are accountable and committed to the objectives following the acceptable guidelines for setting up and operating a state owned Asset Management Company, then a progress in economic activities will be attained. Analysts are of the view that AMCON will provide a basis for a meaningful mergers and acquisition talks and eventual reconciliation of the banking sector as we proceed into the third quarter of the year.
References
Ben Fung et al (2004), Occasional Paper No3, ‘Public Asset Management Company in East Asia.’
Dominic Salvatore,(2001) ‘The Financial Crisis : Causes, Effects, Policies, Reforms, and Invesment Strategies’
http://www.leadershipnigeria.org/: ‘One Year of Banking Reforms: sanusi’s milestone, Achievements, and Challenges.’
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