E-Financial
Q3 2024: UBA Grows Net Interest Income by 149 Percent, PBT up by 20 Percent to N603Bn
Riding on its recently released half-year financials, Africa’s Global Bank – United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced its unaudited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, where it recorded strong and impressive growth across all its key indicators.
As in the first two quarters of the current fiscal year, the bank’s gross earnings grew significantly by 83.2 per cent to N2.398 trillion up from N1.308 trillion recorded in September last year, while its net Interest income which stood at N443.0 billion at the end of the third quarter in 2023, rose impressively by 149 per cent to N1.103 trillion in the period under consideration.
The bank’s financial report filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Monday also indicated a 20.2 per cent increase in Profit before Tax (PBT) to close at N603.48 billion compared to N502.09billion recorded at the end of the third quarter of 2023, while profit after tax also rose remarkably by 16.9 per cent from N449.26 billion recorded a year earlier to N525.31 billion in the period under review.
As in the preceding two quarters this year, UBA continues to maintain a very strong balance sheet, with Total Assets rising to N31.801 trillion, representing a 54.0 per cent increase over the N20.653 trillion recorded at the end of December 2023, just as the bank benefitted largely from its technology-led initiatives targeted at improving customer experience over the past few years, with Total Deposits rising to N26.50 trillion, representing a 52.7 per cent rise, up from N17.355 trillion at the end of the last financial year.
UBA shareholders’ funds remained very strong at N3.585 trillion up from N2.030 trillion recorded in December 2023, again reflecting a strong capacity for internal capital generation and growth.
Commenting on the result, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s group managing director/CEO, expressed pleasure that the Group continues to record strong and sustainable growth in its various revenue streams, building on its strong performance earlier in the year.
“The UBA Group achieved a profit before tax of N603.5 billion and our intermediation business continues to show strong growth with net interest income expanding by 149 per cent YoY to N1.10trillion and NIM closing at 8.03 per cent, which is 17.60 per cent above the 2023 position, despite persisting macroeconomic headwinds, geopolitical tensions, insecurity, inflationary pressure and exchange rate volatilities across our markets,” Alawuba stated.
According to the GMD, the Bank’s performance has been underpinned by consistent strong growth on all core and sustainable banking income lines, as he added that “Our substantial investments in technology are yielding tangible business value.
“This commitment is instrumental in delivering enhanced customer experiences and optimizing operational efficiency.”
Ugo Nwaghodoh, bank’s executive Director, Finance & Risk, said, “I am delighted at the milestone reached in driving operational efficiency, reflected in cost-to-income ratio normalizing around the 50 per cent range. Shareholders’ funds recorded a 77 per cent growth from N2 trillion at FYE2023 to N3.59 trillion demonstrating the Group’s significant capacity for future growth.
On plans to consolidate its performance for the rest of the 2024 financial year and beyond, Nwaghodoh said, “We remain on track with various strategies to optimize our cost of funds and operating expenses.
“Furthermore, the Group has finalized plans to shore up its share capital to support its medium to long term aspirations, whilst aligning with the recent regulatory requirement in Nigeria and other jurisdictions.”
He explained that UBA remains committed to sustainable growth in its core banking revenue lines and maintaining its strong compliance and risk management culture, even as the Group identifies further opportunities to expand.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.
Fidelity Bank Plc is basking in endless and stakeholders are happy.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director and chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank Plc
With nearly 10 million customers, Fidelity Bank is demonstrating excellent market traction.
This a crucial evidence for investors that the bank is solution driven.
For instance, at the capital market, the bank was the toast of investors as its market value surged amid bargain hunting on the Nigerian Exchange, with investors gaining more than 11 percent after few days of tradings last week only.
Fidelity Bank’s share price increased to N22.30 at the close of the market last Friday, as 11.227 million units valued at N251.523 million.
Investors are simply reacting positively to strong earnings, technology-driven growth, and strategic expansions.
Fidelity Bank, emerged a more robust financial institution after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ordered massive banking recapitalization exercise.
Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, managing director and chief executive officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, is being credited for driving these exceptional shareholder value, operational performance, and sustainable growth.
Despite the immense responsibility and intense pressure, especially during turbulent times, Onyeali-Ikpe, has been strutting her stuff by strategic vision and exemplary leadership.
Onyeali-Ikpe has built Fidelity Bank as beacon in the banking industry underpinning the bank with trust, innovative technology, strategic growth, and strong leadership as well as reputation.
She has broken every glass ceilings delivering milestones and solid imprints in the annals of banking.
The bank only recently completed CBN-verified share allotment, hitting N532 billion capital.
This heavy chest now guarantees the bank long-term stability, and enabling it operate with speed.
Since appointment on January 1, 2021, Onyeali-Ikpe, has-anchored the bank on bespoke digital, financial, and technology-driven tools designed to enhance customer experience.
By integrating AI, automation, and advanced data analytics, Fidelity Bank is today delivering solution banking.
Under Onyeali-Ikpe’s leadership, the bank has significantly improved brand equity.
Fidelity Bank also announced the completion of the acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in Union Bank UK, under the CEO.
A recent Brand Finance report ranked Fidelity Bank as the fastest-growing Nigerian brand, with its brand value more than tripling.
Onyeali-Ikpe was also named among the 2024 Most Influential Global Top 100 Export and International Trade Leaders, recognizing her contribution to expanding Nigeria’s trade and export financing capabilities.
Under her, Fidelity Bank has received multiple awards, including Export Finance Bank of the Year (2023 BAFI Awards), Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023, and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 (Global Banking and Finance Awards).
The bank was also recognized by Euromoney for Best Bank for SMEs (2023) and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria (2023).
Onyeali-Ikpe will be leaving as head of the bank this year but her record of placing the institution upward trajectory will be indelible.
She may be leaving “big shoes to fill” because of her high-energy, infectious positivity which made her successful in everything she does.
First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in partnership with BHM, hosted the pilot edition of The Monetised Content Masterclass, bringing together reporters, content creators and editors to address growing pressure on the sustainability of newsrooms and media platforms.
L-R: Adeola Adejokun, Head, Communications, First City Monument Bank; Chris Ihidero, Award-winning Director and Producer; and Diran Olojo, Divisional Head, Corporate Affairs, First City Monument Bank, during the Monetised Content: A Media Masterclass Presented by FCMB and BHM, in Victoria Island. Lagos on Monday, April 20, 2206.
The session comes at a time when traditional advertising revenues are declining for news publishers, even as Nigeria’s entertainment and digital media market continues to grow and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2026.
Against this backdrop, the masterclass focused on practical ways for media organisations, independent content creators, and digital platform owners to diversify income, build financial resilience, and sustain editorial independence and integrity.
Participants explored revenue opportunities beyond traditional advertising, including brand partnerships, digital content monetisation, and audience-led models. The one-day session featured panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and peer exchanges designed to translate industry trends into practical action.
Speaking at the event, Divisional Head, Corporate Affairs, FCMB Group, Diran Olojo, said: “Traditional models are under pressure, and attention is more fragmented than ever. The focus now is on building structured, sustainable platforms that can deliver both impact and long-term value.”
Also speaking, CEO and Founder of BHM, Ayeni Adekunle, said: “The economics of media have changed. For journalism to remain independent, it must also become financially resilient. That shift requires new thinking and deliberate action.”
The session was moderated by Fatu Ogwuche, Founder and CEO of Big Tech This Week, and featured speakers including investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, storyteller and producer Chris Ihidero, executive and storytelling expert Jennifer Mairo, and digital media entrepreneur Peter Oluka.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment by FCMB and BHM to support the long-term sustainability of the Nigerian media ecosystem through capacity building and industry collaboration.
Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has backed recent regulatory measures by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) aimed at strengthening the security of the country’s digital financial ecosystem, while urging stricter compliance across the banking industry.
Kevin Ugwuoke, president and chairman of Council, in a statement, described the new framework as a timely and proactive response to rising risks such as fraud, identity theft, and unauthorised access within the instant payment system.
He noted that key safeguards introduced by the apex bank including a N20,000 transaction limit on newly activated mobile banking applications within the first 24 hours, mandatory device binding, and real-time enterprise fraud monitoring are designed to reduce vulnerabilities associated with account takeovers, especially during the early stages of account activation.
“By limiting transaction exposure during the high-risk activation window, the framework significantly reduces the opportunity for fraudsters to exploit newly onboarded or compromised accounts,” Ugwuoke said.
The institute, however, stressed that the success of the measures would depend largely on effective implementation.
It called on banks, fintech firms and payment service providers to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure, invest in fraud analytics and prioritise staff training as well as customer awareness.
CRMI also welcomed the introduction of the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate (NOFR), describing it as a major step toward standardising overnight funding rates, deepening financial markets and improving monetary policy transmission in line with global best practices.
The endorsement comes as the CBN unveiled a draft revised Guide to Charges for Banks and Other Financial Institutions, 2026, signalling a broader shift toward transparency, consumer protection and efficiency in the financial system.
The revised guide introduces caps on key banking charges and mandates stricter disclosure requirements.
Under the framework, interbank transfers between N5,000 and N50,000 are capped at N10, while transactions above N50,000 attract a maximum of N50, with transfers below N5,000 remaining free.
The apex bank also standardised ATM withdrawal charges, pegging fees at N100 per N20,000 for on-site withdrawals from other banks’ machines, while off-site transactions may attract an additional surcharge of up to N500, subject to disclosure at the point of use.
In a bid to protect borrowers, the regulator directed that all lending rates be presented as Annual Percentage Rates (APR), ensuring full disclosure of interest and associated fees.
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