Zenith Bank Plc has released its audited results for the 2025 financial year, posting a pre-tax profit of N1.26 trillion, representing a marginal decline of 4.78 per cent compared to the N1.3 trillion recorded in 2024.
This is because the board of the bank is proposing a final dividend of N8.75, bringing the total dividend payout to N10 per share
The bank had sustained strong earnings momentum driven by robust growth in interest income, which rose significantly to N3.6 trillion from N2.7 trillion in the previous year.
The performance was largely supported by increased earnings from loans and advances to customers, which contributed N1.8 trillion, reflecting a 20.15 per cent growth, while treasury bills generated N1.1 trillion.
In line with its earnings performance, the bank proposed a final dividend of N8.75 per share, higher than N4.00 declared in the prior year, bringing the total dividend for the 2025 financial year to N10.00 per share, inclusive of the N1.25 interim dividend.
The results showed that net interest income rose by 52.67 per cent to N2.6 trillion, while net interest income after impairment climbed by 77 per cent to N1.8 trillion, despite impairment charges increasing to N742.1 billion from N657 billion in 2024.
Non-interest income also recorded strong growth, with fees and commissions rising by 41.06 per cent to N291.8 billion. Other operating income stood at N176.2 billion, largely driven by foreign exchange revaluation gains.
However, profitability was impacted by a trading loss of N63.1 billion, a sharp reversal from the N1.1 trillion trading profit recorded in the previous year. The development moderated overall earnings growth despite strong top-line expansion.
Operating costs trended upwards during the period, with personnel expenses increasing by 44.05 per cent to N294.1 billion, while other operating expenses rose by 14.19 per cent to N669.8 billion. Consequently, profit before tax settled at N1.26 trillion.
After accounting for an income tax expense of N222.8 billion, profit after tax stood at N1.04 trillion, while earnings per share declined to N25.32 from N32.87 in 2024.
On the balance sheet, Zenith Bank maintained a strong financial position, with total assets growing to N31.4 trillion from N29.9 trillion in the previous year. Loans and advances to customers remained the largest asset class at N10.4 trillion, representing a 4.85 per cent increase, followed by cash and balances of N6.9 trillion.
Investment securities stood at N5.4 trillion, with treasury bills accounting for N4.6 trillion, underscoring the bank’s diversified investment portfolio. Total liabilities rose modestly by 2.34 per cent to N26.5 trillion, driven largely by customer deposits, which stood at N24.3 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds strengthened during the period, with retained earnings rising by 39.33 per cent to N2.8 trillion, contributing significantly to total equity of N4.9 trillion.
