Zenith Bank Plc has recorded gross earnings of N4.19 trillion in its 2025 operations, against N3.97 trillion posted in the corresponding period in 2024, representing a growth of six per cent.

According to the bank, this was driven by a 35 per cent increase in interest income to N3.7 trillion, anchored by high asset yields, an increase in interest-earning assets and effective pricing.

Net interest income grew by 53 per cent to N2.6 trillion, highlighting the bank’s ability to maintain a healthy spread between asset yields and funding costs.

Despite a five per cent drop in profit before tax to N1.26 trillion, due to a bold and prudent cleanup of facilities which were under regulatory forbearance, profit after tax grew slightly by one per cent t to close at NGN1.04 trillion, with an earnings per share (EPS) of N25.32.

The bank’s customer deposits grew by 11 per cent from N22 trillion to N24 trillion, as a result of a sustained increase in both corporate and retail deposits, affirming the enduring depth of the Bank’s funding base while gross loans rose to N11 trillion, with the underlying growth offset by the write off of forbearance-related exposures, a move that has markedly improved the quality of the bank’s risk asset portfolio.

The bank said its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3.8 per cent in the review period from 4.7 per cent in 2024.

The coverage ratio also remained robust at 173 per cent, underscoring the bank’s commitment to prudent provisioning and a culture of strict regulatory compliance.

The directors are recommending a final dividend of N8.75 per ordinary share. In addition to the interim dividend of N1.25 kobo, bringing the total dividend for the 2025 financial year to N10 per ordinary share.

This represents a 100 per cent increase over the total dividend of NGN5 paid for the 2024 financial year.

Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director, Dr Adaora Umeoji, said that the performance reflects the discipline and focus with which the company executed its strategy.

She noted that the bank successfully strengthened its asset quality, optimised its balance sheet, and invested in capabilities to drive the next phase of growth.

She also pointed out that the core business expanded while the quality of risk assets improved, adding that investments are being made for the future while consistently delivering value to customers and shareholders in line with the brand.

Umeoji assured that the institution is stronger and more resilient, committed to supporting customers in building scale and capturing emerging business opportunities.