Zenith Bank Achieves N4.19 Trillion Gross Earnings in 2025 Financial Year
Zenith Bank Plc has reported a significant financial performance for the year 2025, with gross earnings reaching N4.19 trillion. This marks a notable increase of six per cent compared to the N3.97 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, showcasing the bank's robust growth trajectory in a competitive market environment.
Key Drivers of Financial Growth
The bank attributed this impressive growth primarily to a substantial 35 per cent surge in interest income, which climbed to N3.7 trillion. This boost was anchored by several strategic factors, including high asset yields, an expansion in interest-earning assets, and effective pricing strategies. Consequently, net interest income experienced a remarkable 53 per cent growth, settling at N2.6 trillion. This highlights Zenith Bank's adeptness at maintaining a healthy spread between asset yields and funding costs, reinforcing its financial stability.
Profit Metrics and Strategic Cleanup
Despite a five per cent decline in profit before tax to N1.26 trillion, due to a bold and prudent cleanup of facilities under regulatory forbearance, profit after tax demonstrated resilience with a slight one per cent increase. It closed at N1.04 trillion, accompanied by an earnings per share (EPS) of N25.32. This outcome underscores the bank's commitment to enhancing asset quality and ensuring long-term sustainability, even amid short-term adjustments.
Deposit and Loan Performance
Customer deposits grew by 11 per cent, rising from N22 trillion to N24 trillion, driven by sustained increases in both corporate and retail deposits. This growth affirms the enduring depth of Zenith Bank's funding base, providing a solid foundation for future operations. Meanwhile, gross loans increased to N11 trillion, with underlying growth partially offset by the write-off of forbearance-related exposures. This strategic move has markedly improved the quality of the bank's risk asset portfolio, contributing to a healthier financial outlook.
Risk Management and Dividend Announcement
The bank's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3.8 per cent in the review period, down from 4.7 per cent in 2024, indicating enhanced risk management practices. Additionally, the coverage ratio remained robust at 173 per cent, underscoring Zenith Bank's commitment to prudent provisioning and strict regulatory compliance. In a move to reward shareholders, the directors have recommended a final dividend of N8.75 per ordinary share. When combined with the interim dividend of N1.25 kobo, this brings the total dividend for the 2025 financial year to N10 per ordinary share, representing a 100 per cent increase over the N5 paid for the 2024 financial year.
Leadership Insights and Future Outlook
Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director Dr Adaora Umeoji emphasized that the performance reflects the discipline and focus with which Zenith Bank executed its strategy. She noted that the bank successfully strengthened its asset quality, optimized its balance sheet, and invested in capabilities to drive the next phase of growth. Umeoji highlighted that the core business expanded while the quality of risk assets improved, with ongoing investments aimed at future growth. She assured stakeholders that the institution is now stronger and more resilient, committed to supporting customers in building scale and capturing emerging business opportunities, all while consistently delivering value in alignment with the Zenith Bank brand.
