Zenith Bank Plc has released its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, reporting a pre-tax profit of N1.26 trillion. While the figure represents a marginal 4.78% decline compared to the N1.3 trillion recorded in the 2024 financial year, the bank demonstrated resilient top-line growth.
Performance was bolstered by a significant surge in interest income, which rose 34.97% to N3.6 trillion, up from N2.7 trillion in 2024.
Dividend Payout
In a move likely to cheer investors, the Group has proposed a final dividend of N8.75 per share. When added to the N1.25 interim dividend paid earlier in the year, the total dividend for FY 2025 stands at N10.00 per share—a substantial increase from the N4.00 total payout in the previous year.
Driving the Numbers
The bank’s revenue growth was primarily driven by loans and advances to customers, which contributed N1.8 trillion (a 20.15% increase), and income from Treasury Bills, which generated N1.1 trillion.
Other significant contributors to the interest pool included:
Government and Other Bonds: N507.9 billion,Placements with Banks: N210 billion, Promissory Notes: N1.2 billion, Commercial Papers: N406 million
However, interest expenses also grew, reaching N1.03 trillion compared to N992.4 billion in the prior year. Despite this, net interest income rose 52.67% to N2.6 trillion. After accounting for impairment charges on financial instruments—which rose to N742.1 billion—net interest income settled at N1.89 trillion.
On the non-interest side, the Group earned N291.8 billion from fees and commissions, up 41.06% year-on-year. Other operating income, largely driven by foreign exchange revaluation gains, stood at N176.2 billion.
Profitability and Trading Losses
The slight dip in pre-tax profitability was attributed to a significant swing in trading results. The bank recorded a trading loss of N63.1 billion in 2025, a sharp contrast to the N1.1 trillion trading profit reported in 2024.
Operating costs also saw upward pressure. Personnel expenses climbed 44.05% to N294.1 billion, while general operating expenses rose 14.19% to N669.8 billion. Consequently, post-tax profit settled at N1.04 trillion after a tax deduction of N222.8 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) fell to N25.32 from N32.87.
Balance Sheet Strength
Zenith Bank’s balance sheet remains robust, with total assets expanding to N31.4 trillion from N29.9 trillion in 2024.
Loans and Advances: N10.4 trillion (up 4.85%)
Customer Deposits: N24.3 trillion
Investment Securities: N5.4 trillion (with Treasury Bills accounting for N4.6 trillion)
Shareholders’ Equity Total equity stood at N4.9 trillion, supported by retained earnings which grew 39.33% to N2.8 trillion.
Market Reaction
The market responded with high activity following the announcement. As of 11:03 am on April 7, over 9 million units of Zenith Bank shares had been traded on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). With the stock already boasting a year-to-date performance of over 66% in 2026, analysts expect the significant dividend hike to drive further investor interest in the coming sessions.
