Access Holdings Plc has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing the N1 trillion mark in Profit Before Tax (PBT) for the full year ended December 31, 2025. The group reported a PBT of N1.01 trillion, representing a 16.2 percent increase from the N867 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2024. This achievement underscores the group's steady progress toward becoming a high-performing and resilient financial institution.
Key Financial Highlights
In its audited result, the bank's net interest income rose to N1.36 trillion, while net fees and commission income recorded a particularly strong growth of 40.9 percent to N585.1 billion, reflecting increasing diversification in revenue streams. Additionally, overall operating income after impairment grew by 23.9 percent to N3.17 trillion. The group improved its cost discipline, with the cost-to-income ratio declining to 51.7 percent from 56.7 percent in 2024. Returns remained solid, with return on average equity at 18.4 percent and return on average assets at 1.6 percent, reinforcing the quality of earnings delivered during the year.
Management Commentary
Reacting to the performance, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Innocent C. Ike, said: "Our 2025 performance reflects both the resilience of the Access franchise and the strength of the institution we have built over time. Despite a dynamic operating environment, we delivered strong earnings supported by diversified income streams, disciplined execution, and a continued focus on balance sheet optimisation." He added: "We have now entered a more deliberate optimisation phase, with a stronger emphasis on returns on capital, earnings quality, and long-term value creation."
Balance Sheet Expansion
Further breakdown of the performance showed significant balance sheet expansion, driven by strong deposit mobilisation and sustained customer confidence. Total assets increased by 24.3 percent to N51.57 trillion, while customer deposits grew by 53.4 percent to N34.56 trillion. Shareholders' funds also rose by 15 percent to N4.33 trillion, reflecting both retained earnings and continued investor confidence in the institution. The growth highlights not only the scale of the group's operations but also the deepening trust of customers, counterparties, and investors.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Access Holdings expects macroeconomic conditions to continue stabilising, creating opportunities for credit expansion, increased transaction volumes, and higher levels of activity across the financial system. According to the bank, the group intends to maintain its focus on disciplined execution, improved capital efficiency, and sustainable growth across its diversified platform. Ike elaborated: "Africa remains one of the most compelling long-term growth frontiers globally. Our role is not only to participate in that growth, but to help shape and finance it. At Access Holdings, we have built an institution designed to endure, anchored on strong governance, disciplined execution, and a clear strategic direction. Our focus remains on delivering consistent, high-quality, risk-adjusted returns while building a financial institution that will stand the test of time."
