October 30, (THEWILL) — Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has reported a strong third-quarter performance for the period ended September 30, 2025, with a pre-tax profit of ₦299.9 billion, a 39 percent rise from ₦215.8 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.
According to the group’s unaudited financials filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), gross earnings climbed 15.5 percent year-on-year to ₦532 billion, supported by resilient core banking operations and a sharp rebound in non-interest income.
Earnings Surge on Strong Core Banking Performance
Net interest income grew 10.3 percent to ₦319.9 billion, driven by a 15.5 percent increase in interest income to ₦418.5 billion, reflecting higher yields on loans and investment securities amid elevated market rates.
Interest expenses rose 36 percent to ₦98.6 billion, reflecting higher funding costs from deposits and borrowings.
Non-interest income jumped 292 percent to ₦102.3 billion, buoyed by stronger trading and revaluation gains. Trading income climbed to ₦39.3 billion, while “other income” rebounded from a ₦52.9 billion loss in Q3 2024 to a ₦14.9 billion gain in the period under review.
Operating profit before impairments increased 28.6 percent to ₦408.6 billion, while profit after tax rose 39.7 percent to ₦250.6 billion. Earnings per share advanced 17.6 percent to ₦7.54, reflecting stronger shareholder returns.
Balance Sheet Strengthens Amid Expansion
GTCO’s total assets expanded to ₦16.66 trillion, up 13.4 percent from ₦14.69 trillion a year earlier. Customer deposits grew 18.3 percent to ₦11.85 trillion, underscoring improved customer confidence and business growth.
Loans and advances rose 16.5 percent to ₦3.24 trillion, while shareholders’ funds increased 24.1 percent year-to-date to ₦3.37 trillion. Loan impairment charges dropped 8.3 percent to ₦14.8 billion, signaling improved asset quality despite macroeconomic headwinds.
For the nine-month period ended September 2025, GTCO recorded a pre-tax profit of ₦900.8 billion — a 26 percent decline from the prior year, which had benefited from exceptional foreign exchange revaluation gains.
The group said the latest results indicate that its earnings are now being driven more by recurring operations rather than one-off FX windfalls, providing a more sustainable base for future profitability.
Non-Banking Units Boost Diversification Drive
GTCO’s diversified structure, spanning banking, payments, asset management, and pension businesses, continues to strengthen its earnings profile.
The group said its payment arm, HabariPay, alongside its asset management subsidiaries, recorded strong market share growth, contributing significantly to non-interest income.
It also intensified its push into digital banking and wealth management, leveraging technology to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, GTCO said it expects to sustain its growth momentum through the final quarter of 2025, supported by a solid balance sheet, rising non-interest income, and expanding digital platforms.
However, it cautioned that persistent funding cost pressures and foreign exchange volatility could moderate margins in the near term.
The group affirmed that its diversified income streams, strong liquidity, and continued investment in digital and payments infrastructure position it for steady growth into 2026.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze
