*Declares N1.25 interim dividend
By Peter Egwuatu
Zenith Financial institution Plc has recorded a sturdy 20% 12 months onYear, YoY enhance in gross earnings, rising to N2.5 trillion within the first half ending June 2025, H1’25 from N2.1 trillion recorded within the corresponding interval 2024,H1’24.
The Financial institution posted a powerful Revenue Earlier than Tax, PBT and Revenue After Tax, PAT of N625.629 billion and N532 billion for the interval beneath overview respectively.
Following the spectacular efficiency, the Financial institution’s Board of Administrators permitted an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, a 25% enhance over the N1.00 paid within the first half of 2024.
Based on a press release from the Financial institution, the substantial dividend payout displays distinctive underlying efficiency.
Commenting on the H1’25 outcomes, Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, famous that Zenith Financial institution’s efficiency reaffirms the creativity and innovation of our unicorn workforce in a dynamic working setting. “Regardless of the massive provisioning necessities because the business exits the CBN forbearance regime, we’ve seen substantial enchancment in our asset high quality. Our steadiness sheet stays sturdy with ample capital buffers, positioning us properly to grab alternatives throughout our key markets,” she stated.
Constructing on this robust basis, the GMD/CEO indicated that the Financial institution expects to speed up its progress trajectory within the second half of the 12 months. She assured shareholders that the sturdy efficiency, mixed with the improved asset high quality, positions the Financial institution to ship distinctive returns, with expectations of a quantum year-end dividend for 2025. “Our shareholders can stay up for continued worth creation as we leverage rising alternatives and preserve our strategic progress with robust company governance tradition,” she famous, highlighting the Financial institution’s observe file of enhancing dividend funds even throughout difficult durations.
Wanting past H1’255, she bolstered her optimistic outlook: “We’re on a strong progress path that we count on to keep up by way of the remainder of 2025 and into 2026. Our focus stays on innovation, digital transformation, and creating options that handle our purchasers’ altering wants. With enhancing market circumstances, we’re properly positioned to maintain this momentum while sustaining accountable management and delivering distinctive worth to all our stakeholders.”
The Financial institution’s monetary efficiency signifies robust fundamentals in a transitioning macroeconomic setting, with earnings per share standing at N12.95 for the interval beneath overview. Internet curiosity earnings demonstrated distinctive progress, surging 90% year-on-year from N715 billion to a powerful N1.4 trillion, while non-interest earnings contributed N613 billion in H1’25.
The Financial institution’s complete belongings expanded to N31 trillion in June 2025, representing regular progress from N30 trillion in December 2024, underpinned by a sturdy and well-structured steadiness sheet. Buyer confidence remained robust, with deposits rising by 7% from N22 trillion to N23 trillion in June 2025. The mortgage ebook stood at N10.2 trillion in June 2025 towards N11 trillion in December 2024, reflecting the Financial institution’s prudent threat administration method.
The Financial institution delivered robust returns with ROAE at 24.8% and ROAA at 3.5% as at June 2025. The associated fee-to-income ratio stood at 48.2%, reflecting mandatory provisioning for regulatory compliance and the influence of inflationary pressures. Asset high quality improved considerably, with the NPL ratio dropping to three.1% in June 2025 from 4.7% in December 2024. The Financial institution maintains a fortress steadiness sheet with capital adequacy at 26% and liquidity ratio at 69%, each comfortably exceeding regulatory necessities.
The publish Zenith Financial institution’s gross earnings hit N2.5trn in H1’25 appeared first on Vanguard Information.
