E-Financial
Union Bank reports 20% growth in PBT H1, 2024, despite CBN’s intervention
Despite the challenging environment following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in January 2024, which led to heightened customer concerns, Union Bank of Nigeria has reported a profit before tax of N79.8 billion on gross earnings of N333 billion during the half year ended June 30, 2024 compared with a profit before tax of N66.5 billion on gross earnings of N210.5 billion during the corresponding period of 2023, representing a growth of 20 percent in profit before tax and 58 percent in gross earnings.
The Bank said in a statement that,”This accomplishment demonstrates the bank’s resilience and commitment to delivering results in uncertain times.”
Commenting on the results, Yetunde B. Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank ,said: “I am pleased that Union Bank of Nigeria has delivered a progressive financial performance in the first half of the year, with a significant boost in Net Interest Income, Net Operating Income, and Net Trading Income.
“At the beginning of the year, our top priority was to keep the momentum going with a strong focus on stability following the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria. We also continued with the planned strategic priorities, which are centred around scaling our digital play, driving hypergrowth in target sectors, optimising our wholesale bank structure, aggressively ensuring recoveries of past-due obligations, and orchestrating a robust ecosystem play through existing and new partnerships.
“So far, we are seeing the direct impact of our strategy on our financial performance. We achieved a substantial increase in Gross Earnings by 58% to ₦333bn compared to ₦210.5bn in H1 2023. Net Operating Income after Impairments increased by 32% to ₦143.6bn from ₦108.5bn in H1 2023, attributed to enhanced interest income, fees, commissions, and margin expansion. Similarly, we achieved Profit Before Tax (PBT) of ₦79.8bn, representing 20% growth compared to ₦66.5bn in H1 2023.
“In pursuit of our strategic priority to scale our digital play, Union Bank successfully launched its digital lending platform, UnionKash. This platform enables existing and new-to-bank customers to access soft loans easily. Since its launch in the first quarter of the year, over 14,000 customers have successfully accessed soft loans through the USSD code *826*41#.
“These achievements reflect the remarkable resilience and dedication of our staff, who have been instrumental in navigating the challenges of a demanding operating environment. Despite the pressures of inflation, exchange rate volatility, and increased operational costs, our team has remained steadfast and committed to delivering excellence. I extend my sincere appreciation to all our employees for their hard work and unwavering dedication, which have been critical to our success in the first half of 2024.
“I also want to express our deep gratitude to our customers, whose loyalty to the Union Bank brand has been unwavering. Their trust and continued patronage have been vital to our success, and we remain committed to serving them with excellence. Additionally, we acknowledge the invaluable support from our regulators as we navigated the complexities of our operating environment.
“In line with the realities of our environment, the bank has initiated the process of recapitalisation. The Banking Sector Recapitalisation Program, introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), mandates banks to increase their minimum paid-in common equity capital to a specified amount by April 2026, per their license category and authorisation. This strategic initiative is not only aimed at aligning our capital adequacy with regulatory standards but also at surpassing them, thereby fortifying our financial stability and positioning us to capitalise on emerging market opportunities.
“As we move forward, our focus remains on building a controlled, compliant, and profitable organisation. We are committed to maintaining strong governance frameworks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving sustainable profitability. These pillars will not only fortify our financial stability but also position us to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the market. I am confident that with our continued focus on these priorities, we will sustain our positive momentum and deliver long-term value to our stakeholders.”
Speaking on the H1 2024 numbers, Acting Chief Financial Officer Oluwagbenga Adeoye said:
“Our H1 2024 financial performance is a testament to the Bank’s resilience because it came on the backdrop of a slow start, occasioned by the high inflationary environment, exchange rate volatility, increased power costs and other factors.
“Nevertheless, we were not entirely insulated from these shocks as Non-Interest Income reduced marginally in H1 2024 by 3% to ₦108.3bn from ₦112.1bn in H1 2023 due to foreign exchange revaluation loss. Operating Expenses increased by 52% to ₦63.8bn against ₦42bn in H1 2023, majorly due to the high inflationary environment, increased power cost and increased non-discretionary regulatory cost. Notwithstanding, our Cost to Income Ratio remains below 50% at 44% compared to 39% recorded in H1 2023 on the back of implementing planned cost-efficiency initiatives.
“The Bank continued to grow its loan book cautiously, with gross loans increasing by 24 percent to ₦1.93 trillion compared to ₦1.55 trillion in December 2023, customer deposits grew marginally by one percent to ₦2.36 trillion from ₦2.34 trillion in December 2023, reflecting the impact of socio-economic pressures on our operating environment.
“In the second half of the year, we will focus on improving efficiency and driving our non-interest income. We are confident that we will finish the year strong and sustain the returns on equity and returns on assets, which stood at 40.6% and 3.68%, respectively.”
Further analysis of the Bank’s performance during the reviewed period showed that its net operating income after impairments rose to N143.6 billion from N108.5 billion in 2023, representing a growth of 32 percent, non-interest income reduced marginally by three percent to ₦108.3 billion from N112.1 billion during the corresponding period of 2023 due to foreign exchange revaluation loss.
Operating expenses moved up remarkably by 52 percent to ₦63.8 billion from N42 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, resulting from the inflationary environment,increase in power costs and increase in non-discretionary
regulatory costs.
In the same vein, gross loans increased by 24 percent to ₦1.93trn from N1.55trn in December 2023 while customer deposits went up marginally by one percent to ₦2.36 trillion from N2.34 trillion in Dec 2023, reflecting the impact of the challenges posed by the socio-economic environment on its operations.
When people and businesses gain genuine access to financial services, they gain the ability to transact securely, build savings, and access credit. That access creates the conditions for progress: more stable revenues, better business decisions, and the capacity to grow. Progress, sustained over time, is what produces financial happiness. This framework is how Moniepoint measures its impact.
According to Moniepoint 2025 Impact Report, titled creating financial happiness; “Financial happiness is the feeling of confidence and ease that comes with financial freedom and well-being. It is a condition that develops over time and requires a specific set of enablers to take hold.
For millions of people and businesses across Nigeria, those enablers, like tools and solutions to manage their finances, have historically been out of reach. Moniepoint was built to change that, and this change, for us, begins with inclusion”.
Across the world, access to digital tools is a key driver of financial inclusion. The World Bank’s Global Findex 2025 report finds that more than 60% of adults in low- and middle income economies now make or receive digital payments. In Nigeria, this figure is around 54%. Moniepoint has been a key driver in expanding this access with its POS terminals. “Our terminals also drive financial inclusion for individuals.
The report stated that, in 2025, Moniepoint enabled 100 million people to make payments via their POS terminals across the country. For customers in communities where bank branches are scarce or non-existent, a Moniepoint terminal at their local shop, market stall, or fuel station provides reliable access to digital financial services.
They can make purchases, withdraw cash, and manage their money without travelling long distances or depending solely on physical currency. Critically, customers without cards can complete transactions through direct bank transfers to the terminal’s account.
Beyond practical benefits, Moniepoint terminals have also introduced a new layer of trust to everyday commerce. “When network issues make it unclear if a payment went through, the Moniepoint terminal’s loud beep provides instant confirmation for everyone, building trust in digital payments with every transaction”.
Moniepoint POS terminals operate across all 774 local governments in Nigeria, ensuring that small sellers and large stores can accept payments reliably, regardless of location.
In 2025, millions of Nigerians, businesses and individuals alike, accessed Moniepoint services through its mobile app. Top among them are groups like women and low-income earners, who have historically been excluded from formal banking. Inclusion of women is particularly important, as they typically manage household spending and informal savings but are frequently left out of structured financial systems. “Through our app, they are gaining financial independence and greater control over their economic decisions,” the report added.
For millions of Nigerians, debit cards represent a move away from the limits of cash transactions. They enable safer, more reliable everyday payments, particularly as more local businesses begin to accept digital payments.
Moniepoint debit cards are designed to meet this need. In 2025, Moniepoint customers completed over 300 million card transactions at physical locations, largely driven by essential, food-related purchases. Most of this spending took place at neighbourhood provision shops where households buy everyday items such as rice, cooking oil, and soap.
“We’ve made access to our cards intentionally simple. Customers can get a Moniepoint debit card by requesting it within their mobile app or from neighbourhood agents, without lengthy paperwork or waiting periods. By lowering these barriers, more people are able to access financial tools and participate in the formal financial system.
“Our cards also safeguard our customers’ financial information. They don’t carry special markings or any identifiers that could expose our customers or put their financial security at risk. In the event of loss, this reduces the likelihood of targeted fraud or misuse.
“When people can pay with their debit cards at their neighbourhood stores, they can manage their spending, reduce cash handling, and transact more securely. Merchants also benefit, recording higher transaction volumes and more consistent customer activity.
“Moniepoint helps millions of businesses and individuals across Nigeria access seamless payments and banking, every day. The widespread adoption of our tools and services, as highlighted, demonstrates our critical role in expanding financial access, supporting everyday commerce, and enabling more Nigerians to participate safely and consistently in the digital economy,” the report noted.
ChatPay has launched Africa’s conversational banking platform, enabling individuals and businesses to access financial services through WhatsApp.
The Lagos-based fintech startup, is in controlled rollout, connecting WhatsApp to linked-bank management, airtime and supported electricity payments through simple conversations.
The company said the platform is designed to enable users to send money, pay bills, buy airtime and manage business transactions within WhatsApp conversations, subject to the completion of regulatory approvals and integration with licensed banking partners.
According to ChatPay, the platform is operated by CP Technology Limited and is currently undergoing a phased rollout ahead of its planned public launch.
The company said the initiative is intended to simplify access to financial services by leveraging WhatsApp, which it estimates is used by more than 50 million Nigerians monthly.
Speaking on the idea behind the platform, Adeoluwasubomi Odebunmi, product lead and co-founder, said the concept emerged while she was studying Software Engineering at Babcock University.
“I saw the gap while I was still in school—how much friction there was just to move money. I didn’t want to just study the problem. I wanted to help fix it,” she said.
Odebunmi said she had previously worked on software solutions spanning e-commerce, real estate management, school administration and artificial intelligence applications before co-founding ChatPay.
Aseoluwa Siyanbola, growth lead and co-founder, said his experience managing Nigerian bank accounts while studying abroad highlighted some of the challenges users face with digital banking services.
According to him, difficulties such as one-time password (OTP) failures and inconsistent banking applications inspired the team to explore conversational banking solutions.
“We each encountered similar challenges and came together to build a solution that simplifies everyday financial transactions,” he said.
cAbraham William, tech lead and co-founder, said the company is focused on improving access to financial services through a platform that many Nigerians already use daily.
“We want to make financial services easier to access by allowing people to carry out transactions through a familiar messaging platform,” he said.
William said he oversees the company’s engineering, technology strategy and system architecture.
ChatPay said its services will be introduced in phases as regulatory requirements are met and integrations with banking partners are completed.
The company added that its newly launched “Founding 2,500” programme will enable selected early users to test features, provide feedback and participate in product development before the platform’s wider rollout.
According to the company, interested users can register for the waitlist and the Founding 2,500 programme through its website.
Founded by Odebunmi, Siyanbola and William, ChatPay said its long-term goal is to expand conversational banking services beyond Nigeria into other African markets after its domestic rollout.
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has been named Nigeria’s Best Bank for Retail Banking and Best Bank for Sustainability Leadership (ESG) at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
The awards were presented on July 17 at The Peninsula London in the United Kingdom, recognising financial institutions that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, customer impact and sustainable banking practices.
The double recognition highlights UBA’s growing influence in retail banking and its commitment to advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its operations.
According to Euromoney, UBA distinguished itself through a series of sustainability initiatives, including the introduction of a Green Financing Facility designed to support households and businesses transitioning to renewable energy.
The publication also cited the bank’s ₦5 billion financing programme, implemented in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI), to provide funding for women-owned businesses.
Euromoney further recognised UBA’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, describing it as a demonstration of the bank’s long-term sustainability strategy.
The publication also highlighted the bank’s efforts to integrate sustainability into its operations through the deployment of solar-powered energy solutions across 50 branches and comprehensive ESG capacity-building programmes that have trained more than 16,000 employees across the UBA Group.
In the retail banking category, Euromoney noted that UBA continued to consolidate its position as one of Africa’s largest retail banking institutions.
According to the publication, the bank expanded its customer base to more than 37 million by the end of 2025, while retail banking revenue increased more than fourfold to ₦429.5 billion.
The awards also recognised UBA’s continued investment in digital banking innovation, particularly enhancements to its artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, LEO.
Euromoney noted that LEO became Africa’s first AI-powered banking platform to facilitate cross-border money transfers in local currencies through the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).
Commenting on the awards, UBA’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oliver Alawuba, described the recognition as a validation of the bank’s commitment to delivering value to customers while promoting sustainable development across Africa.
“To be recognised as Nigeria’s Best Bank for both ESG and Retail Banking in the same year sends a powerful message that sustainable banking and commercial success are mutually reinforcing.
“At UBA, we are committed to financing Africa’s future, supporting businesses and communities, promoting financial inclusion, and delivering innovative banking solutions that improve lives.
“These awards belong to our customers for their confidence in us and to every member of the UBA family whose dedication continues to make our vision a reality,” he said.
Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Marketing, Brand and Corporate Communications, Mrs Alero Ladipo, said the awards reflected the bank’s unwavering commitment to putting customers at the centre of its operations.
According to her, every innovation, investment and banking solution introduced by UBA is aimed at creating exceptional value for customers while expanding access to financial services.
“These awards are a powerful affirmation of our Customer First philosophy.
“Whether it is supporting entrepreneurs with access to finance, enabling seamless digital payments, advancing clean energy financing or expanding financial inclusion across Africa, UBA remains focused on delivering meaningful impact.
“We are honoured that one of the world’s most respected financial publications has recognised these efforts,” she said.
UBA currently operates in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, serving more than 45 million customers through a combination of digital banking platforms and physical branch networks.
The bank said it remains committed to strengthening financial inclusion, driving innovation and supporting sustainable economic development across Africa and beyond.
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