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Zenith Bank Grows Gross Earnings to N3.4trn on Strong Interest Income

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Zenith Bank Plc has reported a 16% year-on-year growth in gross earnings to N3.4 trillion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N2.9 trillion in the same period of 2024.

The growth, according to the unaudited financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), was driven largely by a sustained rise in interest income and disciplined execution amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.

Interest income surged by 41% to N2.7 trillion, supported by the high-yield interest rate environment and the expansion of the bank’s investment portfolio.

However, interest expenses also increased by 22% to N814 billion, reflecting the impact of tighter monetary policies and a growing funding base.

Despite this, Zenith Bank maintained a healthy net interest margin (NIM) of 12%, up from 10% recorded in September 2024.

Non-interest income declined by 38% to N535 billion, weighed down by a 60% fall in trading gains. Profit before tax fell by 8% to N917 billion from N1 trillion a year earlier, while profit after tax also dipped to N764 billion.

Earnings per share (EPS) stood at N18.60, compared to N26.34 in the same period last year, as the bank intensified efforts to improve its loan book quality.

Total assets grew by 4% to N31 trillion as of September 2025, from N30 trillion in December 2024.

The growth was largely underpinned by an eight percent increase in customer deposits to N23.7 trillion. Gross loans declined by nine percent to N10 trillion, reflecting the bank’s cautious approach to risk, while its non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3% following strategic write-offs of impaired assets.

Zenith Bank PLC maintained strong profitability ratios, with return on average equity (ROAE) at 23.3% and return on average assets (ROAA) at 3.3%.

The cost of funds rose to 4.5% in line with elevated market rates, while the cost-to-income ratio increased to 45%. The bank’s coverage ratio and liquidity ratio remained robust at 211.1% and 53%, respectively, well above regulatory thresholds.

Commenting on the results, Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director/CEO, attributed the performance to the bank’s resilience and adaptive strategy.

“The Bank’s robust performance is an attestation to the resilience of the Zenith brand, the result-driven strategy, and the adaptability of our people in an evolving operating environment.

“We have fortified our capital base, reset our asset quality, and are well-positioned for sustainable and profitable growth,” she said.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Umeoji expressed confidence in the bank’s growth trajectory.

“This result confirms the resilience of both our business model and our people. Our focus on innovation, digital transformation, and developing solutions that address our clients’ changing needs positions us to capitalise on emerging opportunities whilst maintaining our disciplined approach to growth,” she said.

Zenith Bank’s consistent performance and governance standards have continued to attract industry recognition.

The bank was ranked number one in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year in The Banker’s 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking and named Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.

It has also won multiple awards, including Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, by World Finance for five consecutive years (2021–2025); and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, by International Banker in 2023 and 2024.


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E-Financial

Flutterwave Rises from Lagos Startup to Africa’s Fintech Powerhouse

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Flutterwave has transformed from a modest Lagos venture into one of Africa’s most valuable fintech firms, processing billions in transactions yearly across 30+ countries and 150+ currencies.

Flutterwave Rises from Lagos Startup to Africa’s Fintech Powerhouse

Flutterwave

Founded in 2016 by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, and Adeleke Adekoya, it tackled Africa’s fragmented payments—siloed banks, mobile money gaps, and unreliable cross-border flows—with a unified API for seamless collections, payouts, and settlements.

Founding Vision

The trio spotted the pain: Aboyeji’s Andela faced border delays; Agboola drew from PayPal/Google; Adekoya handled compliance. Early wins included Uber Nigeria payouts from a Lekki co-working space, proving scalability amid lean ops.

Growth Milestones

  • 2017–2020: $10M seed/Series A fueled West Africa push; Agboola took CEO helm post-Aboyeji; COVID boosted e-commerce volumes.

  • 2021–2022: Unicorn at $1B+ (Series C, $170M); $3B+ valuation (Series D, $250M); partnerships with Microsoft, Uber; Send App for US diaspora.

  • 2025–2026: Profitability focus yields better margins; 34 US licenses; Mono acquisition ($25–40M) bolsters open banking.

Challenges Overcome

Regulatory hurdles hit: Kenya 2022 freeze (cleared); Nigeria fraud claims (resolved, controls enhanced); culture probes led to reforms with ex-Mastercard/Stripe hires. These underscore multi-jurisdiction risks like FX curbs and cyber threats.

Nigeria’s Fintech Role

Flutterwave anchors alongside Paystack (Stripe-owned), Moniepoint, amid CBN cash curbs and AfCFTA trade boosts. Dual HQ in Lagos/SF eyes IPO post-profitability, cementing it as Africa’s payments backbone.


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E-Financial

CIBN Pledges Full Support to New ACAMB Leadership, Backs Ambitious Roadmap

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Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) has pledged its full support to the Association of Corporate and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) following a high-level strategic meeting between the leadership of both bodies.

CIBN Pledges Full Support to New ACAMB Leadership, Backs Ambitious Roadmap

New ACAMB Leadership

The high profile meeting, which took place on Tuesday at the CIBN Building, Lagos, served as a formal introduction of the new ACAMB Executive Committee to the CIBN leadership and marked the beginning of a renewed collaborative alliance.

Leading a delegation of the newly inaugurated ACAMB EXCO and Board of Trustees, the President, Jide Sipe, described the visit as a crucial first step in his tenure, aimed at contributing significantly in giving flight to his vision and that of ACAMB.”

“When we assumed office, one of the first things we agreed on was the need to visit key stakeholders”

“However, before reaching out more broadly, we felt it was important to begin with our primary constituency and core stakeholders. We want them to understand the direction we are taking and to support the work we are doing, so that ACAMB can achieve greater success than it has in the past”

“We couldn’t have properly started our tenure without this very important meeting with the CIBN,” Sipe stated

Sipe introduced the newly constituted ACAMB Exco, which includes, the 2nd Vice President, Morolake Phillip-Ladipo; General Secretary, Olugbenga Owootomo, Assistant General Secretary, Ademola Adeshola; Publicity Secretary, Abiodun Coker, and Executive Secretary, Fadekemi Ajakaiye

During his address, Sipe unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the association, highlighting a new direction focused on youth engagement, professional development, and industry advocacy.

Responding, the CIBN President, Professor Pius Deji Olanrewaju, who warmly received the ACAMB team, commended their forward-thinking vision as he noted that, the association would be focusing on critical areas such as reputational management, sustainable corporate practices, and governance reforms

Olarenwaju also commended ACAMB’s collaboration with CIBN in information management, saying it had raised standards across Nigeria’s banking sector.

“ACAMB’s support has given CIBN and the banking sector brand equity,” he said, praising the association’s record in reputation management.

He recalled ACAMB’s role in addressing crises within the sector, describing the partnership as strategic and beneficial.

He further pledged support for ACAMB’s 30th anniversary in September 2026, its AGM, and other programmes, including fundraising initiatives.

Olarenwaju also promised backing for ACAMB’s capability development and undergraduate mentorship schemes.

“I want to assure you that everything you have presented today has been clearly noted and will be acted upon”

“We are fully committed to working closely with you so as to translate these discussions and vision into measurable progress. Our shared goal is to strengthen the sector, protect its reputation, and enhance its public image in a meaningful and lasting way”

“This meeting discussed various initiatives and reforms crucial for the future of our industry, including the need for continuous training and adaptation to new programs,” Prof. Olanrewaju said.

The meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties expressing gratitude and a firm commitment to deepening their collaboration for the advancement of the banking industry in Nigeria.


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E-Financial

Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

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Kuda Microfinance Bank partnered with Lovers & Frnds for a Valentine’s edition event on Sunday, February 15, at Space Hub Lekki, Lagos, redefining celebrations around love, friendship, and social connections beyond romance.

Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

Kuda Bank

The R&B-themed gathering drew couples, friend groups, and solo attendees with music sets from DJs like TGarbs, games, gift exchanges, and colour-coded tags—red for relationships, yellow for mingling singles, orange for non-minglers—to spark easy interactions.

Kuda activated a branded photo booth, merchandise giveaways, prize activities, and complimentary drinks for Premium loyalty tier customers, while vendors used Kuda Business POS terminals for seamless cashless payments.

Senior Brand Manager Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi said: “We partner with experiences matching our customers’ lifestyles in music and entertainment, creating spaces they genuinely connect with—we’ll keep supporting how they live and celebrate.”


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