Donatus Eleko

Zenith Bank Plc has once again reinforced its leadership in Nigeria’s banking industry, sustaining its winning streak with its strong set of half-year (HI) results for 2025.

The Group’s financial results for the half year ending June 2025 showed an impressive profit before tax of N625.629 billion. Following the robust performance, the Board approved an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, a 25 percent increase over the N1 paid in the first half of 2024, maintaining the bank’s position as a leading dividend-paying bank and reinforcing its longstanding commitment to rewarding its esteemed shareholders.

The substantial dividend payout reflects exceptional underlying performance.

Despite higher provisioning requirements from the industry-wide exit of the CBN forbearance regime, the bank recorded a robust 20 percent year-on-year increase in gross earnings, rising from N2.1 trillion to N2.5 trillion in H1 2025. Interest income drove this performance with an impressive 60 percent growth, climbing from N1.1 trillion to N1.8 trillion. The bank achieved this impressive increase in interest income through strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.

Commenting on the H1 2025 results, Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, noted that Zenith Bank’s performance reaffirms the creativity and innovation of our unicorn workforce in a dynamic operating environment.

“Despite the huge provisioning requirements as the industry exits the CBN forbearance regime, we’ve seen substantial improvement in our asset quality. Our balance sheet remains robust with adequate capital buffers, positioning us well to seize opportunities across our key markets,” she said.

Building on this strong foundation, the GMD/CEO indicated that the bank expects to accelerate its growth trajectory in the second half of the year.

She assured shareholders that the robust performance, combined with the improved asset quality, positions the bank to deliver exceptional returns, with expectations of a quantum year-end dividend for 2025.

“Our shareholders can look forward to continued value creation as we leverage emerging opportunities and maintain our strategic growth with strong corporate governance culture,” she noted, highlighting the bank’s track record of improving dividend payments even during challenging periods.

Looking beyond H1 2025, she reinforced her optimistic outlook: “We’re on a solid growth path that we expect to maintain through the rest of 2025 and into 2026. Our focus remains on innovation, digital transformation, and developing solutions that address our clients’ changing needs.

“With improving market conditions, we’re well placed to sustain this momentum whilst maintaining responsible leadership and delivering exceptional value to all our stakeholders.”

The bank’s financial performance indicates strong fundamentals in a transitioning macroeconomic environment, with profit after tax reaching N532 billion and earnings per share standing at N12.95 for the period under review. Net interest income demonstrated exceptional growth, surging 90 percent year-on-year from N715 billion to an impressive N1.4 trillion, whilst non-interest income contributed N613 billion in H1 2025.

The bank’s total assets expanded to N31 trillion in June 2025, representing steady growth from N30 trillion in December 2024, underpinned by a robust and well-structured balance sheet. Customer confidence remained strong, with deposits growing by seven percent from N22 trillion to N23 trillion in June 2025.

The loan book stood at N10.2 trillion in June 2025 against N11 trillion in December 2024., reflecting the Bank’s prudent risk management approach.

The bank delivered strong returns with ROAE at 24.8 percent and ROAA at 3.5 percent as at June 2025. The cost-to-income ratio stood at 48.2 percent, reflecting necessary provisioning for regulatory compliance and the impact of inflationary pressures.

Asset quality improved significantly, with the NPL ratio dropping to 3.1 percent in June 2025 from 4.7 percent in December 2024.

Zenith Bank maintains a fortress balance sheet with capital adequacy at 26 percent and liquidity ratio at 69 percent, both comfortably exceeding regulatory requirements.

Since opening its doors in 1990, Zenith Bank Plc has grown from a modest financial institution into one of Africa’s most respected banking giants. The financial institution is now synonymous with innovation, resilience, and excellence.

Over the past 35 years, the bank has consistently redefined the standards of service delivery, corporate governance, and digital banking in Nigeria’s ever-evolving financial landscape.

Zenith Bank’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure, customer-centric services, and prudent risk management have not only propelled it to the top of the industry. but also helped reshape how Nigerians interact with banking. As one of the earliest adopters of tech-led banking solutions, Zenith Bank became a trailblazer long before fintechs became the norm.

Zenith Bank blazes the trail in digital banking in Nigeria; scoring several firsts in the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to create innovative products that meet the needs of its teeming customers.

Driven by a culture of excellence and strict adherence to global best practices, the Bank has combined vision, skillful banking expertise, and cutting-edge technology to create products and services that anticipate and meet customers’ expectations; enable businesses to thrive and grow wealth for customers.

With a team of dedicated professionals, the bank leverages its robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to provide cutting-edge solutions and products through its network of branches and electronic/digital channels.

In addition, Zenith Bank has played a pivotal role in financing critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, understanding that sustainable economic growth requires targeted support for industries that drive development. The bank has consistently provided substantial credit facilities to key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas, telecommunications, and infrastructure development.

For ten consecutive years, Zenith Bank has organised its annual non-oil sector seminar, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. This forum brings together policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts to discuss strategies for reducing Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenues and developing alternative sources of economic growth.

The bank’s lending strategy goes beyond traditional commercial considerations to support sectors that create jobs, generate foreign exchange, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification. Through structured financing arrangements, trade finance facilities, and working capital support, Zenith has enabled countless businesses to expand operations, modernise equipment, and increase their contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.

Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

The bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 and 2024 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 at the BAFI Awards. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Zenith Bank was also named Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.

Clearly, Zenith Bank’s half-year 2025 results reaffirm its position as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s financial services sector, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and a consistent focus on delivering value. Despite a complex operating environment marked by elevated interest rates, inflationary pressures, and regulatory shifts, the Bank has sustained growth while strengthening its balance sheet and protecting shareholder interests. This balance of prudence and ambition highlights Zenith Bank’s ability to navigate challenges while keeping its eyes firmly on long-term opportunities.

The bank’s track record of paying attractive dividends, coupled with its strong profitability and solid asset quality, underscores a business model built on trust, discipline, and foresight. By declaring a 25 percent increase in interim dividend, Zenith has once again shown that it remains committed to rewarding investor confidence while also reinvesting in innovation and expansion. Its ability to sustain such performance, even under pressure, distinguishes Zenith Bank as a leader not just in size, but also in strategy and execution.

Looking ahead, Zenith Bank is well positioned to build on this momentum. With a focus on digital transformation, customer-centric solutions, and sustainable banking practices, the Bank is charting a growth path that balances profitability with impact. As it continues to win recognition both locally and internationally, Zenith Bank remains a symbol of excellence in African banking—setting the standard for stability, value creation, and responsible leadership in 2025 and beyond.

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