Shareholders expectations has been surpassed as Zenith Bank Plc unaudited results for the first quarter ended 31st March 2025, with a double-digit growth of 22% in Gross Earnings, from N781 billion reported in Q1 2024 to N950 billion in Q1 2025.
From the unaudited statement of account submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Wednesday, 30th April 2025, the growth in the topline was driven mainly by a 72% increase in the Group’s interest and similar income which rose from N489 billion in Q1 2024 to N838 billion in the period under review.
The growth in interest income was on the back of the sustained high-interest rate environment. However, non-interest income declined by 67%, with the increase in other operating income outpaced by the drop in trading gains.
The Group also recorded a 10% Year on Year (YoY) increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT), which stood at N351 billion as against N320 billion recorded in Q1 2024. Relative to the same period, Profit After Tax (PAT) also rose 21% to N312 billion.
The profitability was further enhanced by a decline in the cost of funds, which stood at 3.9% in Q1 2025 versus 4% in Q1 2024. The cost of risk dropped to 1.8% against the 2.8% reported in March 2024.
These reductions reflect the Bank’s proactive deposit mix optimisation, improved asset quality and enhanced risk management, contributing to overall earnings resilience. Net interest margin (NIM) improved to 10.3% in Q1 2025, up from 8.3% in Q1 2024.
Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) both declined YoY to 29.4% and 4.0%, respectively. This decline reflects the impact of the recent industrywide recapitalization exercise, which expanded the Bank’s shareholding base.
Gross loans reported a measured growth of 1% from N11 trillion in December 2024 to N11.08 trillion in March 2025, as the Bank cautiously grows its loan book. Customer deposits grew by 3% from N21.96 trillion in December 2024 to N22.68 trillion in March 2025. Total assets increased by 8% to N32.42 trillion within the same period.
Prudential ratios remained well above the minimum regulatory requirement. At the end of Q1 2025, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Liquidity Ratio stood at 24% and 60% respectively, while Coverage Ratio remains strong at 217.2%, demonstrating the Bank’s enduring ability to maintain a robust and liquid balance sheet.
As the Bank pursues enhanced profitability, its focus on cost efficiency, delivering superior customer experience, and a strategic improvement on digital adoption remain at the forefront of its blueprint. In addition, the Bank is well-positioned to deploy further capital to expedite its ongoing expansion plans as it seeks to create enhanced shareholder value and go for growth.
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine.
The Bank was also awarded the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; and Best Bank in Nigeria for four times in five years, from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards.
Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years from 2021 to 2024 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards.
Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for 2022, 2023 and 2024 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.
The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021.
The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Zenith Bank was also named Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; and Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper.
