Zenith Bank Plc has posted a profit before tax of N917.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, as its gross earnings climbed 16 per cent year-on-year to N3.37 trillion from N2.9 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
The unaudited financial results released to shareholders on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed that the growth in gross earnings was driven mainly by a 41 per cent surge in interest income to N2.7 trillion, bolstered by a high-yield rate environment and an expanded investment portfolio. Interest expense also rose by 22 per cent to N814 billion, following a tightening monetary policy and growth in the Bank’s funding base.
Despite this, the bank maintained a healthy Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 12 per cent, compared with 10 per cent in September 2024. Non-interest income, however, dropped by 38 per cent to N535 billion, following a 60 per cent decline in trading gains.
Profit before tax stood at N917 billion, slightly below the N1 trillion recorded in September 2024, while profit after tax fell by 8 per cent to N764 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) closed at N18.60, compared with N26.34 in the same period last year, reflecting the Bank’s deliberate measures to strengthen asset quality and manage credit risk.
Total assets rose by 4 per cent to N31 trillion from N30 trillion in December 2024, supported by an 8 per cent increase in customer deposits to N23.7 trillion. Gross loans declined by 9 per cent to N10 trillion, even as the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3 per cent following the write-off of non-performing exposures.
Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) stood at 23.3 per cent and 3.3 per cent, respectively, while cost of funds rose to 4.5 per cent, mirroring the elevated interest rate environment. The cost-to-income ratio increased to 45 per cent, while coverage and liquidity ratios remained strong at 211.1 per cent and 53 per cent, well above regulatory thresholds.
Commenting on the performance,, the group managing director and chief executive of the bank, Dr Adaora Umeoji, described the results as a reflection of the bank’s strong fundamentals and ability to sustain growth in a volatile economy.
“The bank’s robust performance attests to the resilience of the Zenith brand, 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, Umeoji expressed optimism about the Bank’s outlook for the final quarter of 2025.
“This result confirms the resilience of both our business model and our people. We’re on a solid growth path that we expect to maintain throughout the year. 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.
She assured shareholders of continued value creation, adding: “We’re well placed to sustain this momentum whilst maintaining responsible leadership in the Nigerian banking industry and delivering exceptional value to all our stakeholders.”
She noted that Zenith Bank’s performance and leadership in the financial sector have continued to attract local and international recognition. The Bank was ranked the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking. It was also named Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025 and Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
In addition, the Bank has consistently been named the Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance between 2020 and 2025 and the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria for five consecutive years (2021–2025) by the World Finance Banking Awards. International Banker also recognised it as the Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria in 2023 and 2024 and the Best Corporate Governance Bank in Nigeria by World Finance for four consecutive years (2022–2025).
Between 2023 and 2025, Zenith Bank was equally honoured as Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, underscoring its consistent performance, innovation, and leadership in the Nigerian financial industry.
