Average maximum lending rate rises to 32.62% despite MPR cut
AnalysisMonday 26 October 2026
Central Bank data show the average maximum lending rate rose to 32.62 percent even after the MPC cut the monetary policy rate to 23 per cent. Loan pricing moved against the policy direction, which matters for borrowers and lenders.
Persistently high maximum lending rates signal weak pass-through from policy easing to bank borrowers, relevant to credit demand and bank margins.
The CBN and NITDA disclosed that only about 57-59% of financial institutions are ready for the January 2027 data localisation deadline, based on an industry survey. The regulator said it will consider banks' challenges while keeping the deadline in place.
Demand deposits at Nigerian banks rose by about $1.2 billion (N1.69trn) over three months, according to central bank data. Analysts linked the rise to bank securities purchases, private-sector lending and government borrowing.
CBN monetary statistics show net credit to government reached about $29 billion (N39.4trn) in September 2026, up 63.1% year on year. Private-sector credit rose 15.7% to about $62 billion (N83.9trn) over the same period.
The CBN approved the nomination of Adedapo Olagunju, who has led JPMorgan's West African operations since 2018, as managing director of the proposed Nigerian merchant bank. The appointment is tied to the approval-in-principle for the new subsidiary.
The Central Bank of Nigeria granted approval-in-principle for JPMorgan Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited. JPMorgan has since deposited N50 billion with the CBN, a key requirement of its merchant banking licence application.
The 2026 Access to Financial Services in Nigeria survey finds 64.4% of adults use digital financial services. The financially excluded share fell to 21% from 26% in 2023.
EFInA's ninth Access to Financial Services in Nigeria survey, released 16 September 2026, found 79% of adults use a financial product and 64.4% use digital financial services. Formal credit penetration stands at 10% nationally, showing that account ownership is still outpacing lending.
