April 08, (THEWILL) — Zenith Bank recorded a marginal increase in earnings for the 2025 financial year, as slower growth in interest income and a sharp reversal in trading gains weighed on overall performance.
The lender’s gross earnings rose modestly from N4 trillion to N4.2 trillion, reflecting single-digit growth.
Profit after tax edged up by just 0.7 per cent to N1.04 trillion, compared to N1.03 trillion in the previous year, according to audited results released on Tuesday.
The muted growth comes as interest income its main revenue driver expanded at its slowest pace since 2021, despite rising 35 per cent to N3.7 trillion.
Net interest income, however, showed stronger momentum, climbing 52.7 per cent to N2.6 trillion, indicating improved earnings from core lending activities after costs.
Still, the bank faced increased risk pressures, with impairment charges on financial instruments rising to N742.2 billion from N657 billion a year earlier.
A turnaround in other operating income provided some relief, with the bank posting N176.3 billion compared to a loss of N206.8 billion in 2024, supported largely by foreign exchange revaluation gains.
Profit before tax declined to N1.26 trillion from N1.33 trillion, while total assets grew to N31.5 trillion.
Looking ahead, Zenith Bank signaled stronger shareholder returns, announcing a proposed final dividend of N8.75 per share, in addition to the N1.25 interim dividend already paid.
This brings the total payout to N10 per share double the N5 distributed for 2024.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
