FCMB Group Profit Rises 80% to N202bn, Declares N23bn Dividend

FCMB Group Plc has reported a profit before tax (PBT) of N202.1 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, representing an 80.6 per cent increase from the N111.9 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

The financial conglomerate’s profit was driven largely by growth in interest income, which crossed the N1 trillion mark for the first time in the group’s history, according to its audited financial statements released yesterday.

It also posted a profit after tax of N177.3 billion, up from N73.3 billion in 2024, while gross earnings rose by 42.5 per cent to N1.13 trillion. Consequently, the board of FCMB Group had recommended a dividend of 35 kobo per share, amounting to N23.08 billion, subject to shareholders’ approval at the forthcoming annual general meeting.

The financials of released on the Nigerian Exchange on Monday showed that interest income surged by 61.7 per cent to N1.01 trillion from N621.7 billion in the previous year, accounting for nearly 89 per cent of the group’s gross earnings.

Income from loans and advances to customers remained the largest contributor, generating N611.6 billion and accounting for about 61 per cent of total interest income. The group also benefited from significantly higher returns on liquid assets, with interest income from cash and cash equivalents rising sharply to N145.3 billion from N12.8 billion recorded in 2024.

Net interest income more than doubled to N505.9 billion from N225.3 billion, as growth in earnings outpaced the rise in funding costs. The group’s fee-based income also strengthened during the year, with net fee and commission income increasing by 30.4 per cent to N76.7 billion.

However, FCMB recorded higher impairment charges of N81.7 billion, almost double the N41.2 billion reported in the previous year, reflecting increased provisioning for potential credit losses. Operating expenses also rose across major cost lines, driven by higher personnel, administrative and other operating costs.

Despite these pressures, operating profit grew by 79.2 per cent to N200.9 billion, underscoring the resilience of the group’s core banking operations. On the balance sheet, total assets expanded by 8.2 per cent to N7.63 trillion from N7.05 trillion in 2024.

Customer deposits increased to N4.42 trillion, while investment securities rose significantly to N2.04 trillion from N1.19 trillion. Shareholders’ funds climbed by 21.4 per cent to N835.4 billion, supported by strong earnings growth and reserve accumulation.