Banking
Zenith Bank Deepens Market Leadership With 69% Rise in Customer Deposits
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The audited financial statements of Zenith Bank Plc for 2023 have shown how the lender has continued to deepen its market leadership in key corporate and retail deposit segments.
In the period under review, the company grew its customer deposits by 69 per cent to N15.2 trillion from N9.0 trillion, with retail deposits constituting 46 per cent of total deposits versus 44 per cent in 2022, growing by 77 per cent to N7.04 trillion from N3.97 trillion, reinforcing increased customer confidence in the Zenith brand.
Business Post reports that the bank’s total assets increased by 66 per cent to N20.4 trillion from N12.3 trillion in 2022, largely due to growth in total deposits and the revaluation of foreign currency deposits.
In addition, gross loans expanded by 71 per cent to N7.1 trillion from N4.1 trillion as a result of the revaluation of foreign currency loans and the growth in local currency risk assets.
In view of the disciplined and diligent approach to risk asset creation and management, the loan growth did not significantly impact the non-performing loans (NPL) ratio, which increased marginally to 4.4 per cent from 4.3 per cent despite the heightened risk environment and challenging operating environment, an attestation to the group’s resilience amid headwinds and a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Also, the prudential ratios remain within regulatory thresholds, with the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and liquidity ratio at 21.7 per cent and 71.0 per cent, respectively.
In the year, Zenith Bank witnessed a 125 per cent increase in gross earnings to N2.132 trillion from N945.6 billion in the preceding year, primarily due to growth in interest and non-interest income.
Interest income surged by 112 per cent to N1.1 trillion from N540 billion in 2022, driven by the growth in the size of risk assets and their effective repricing, alongside the rise in the yield of other interest-bearing instruments over the year.
Further, non-interest income grew by 141 per cent to N918.9 trillion from N381.0 billion due to significant trading gains and an increase in gains from the revaluation of foreign currencies.
In the results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the firm improved its pre-tax profit by 180 per cent to N796.0 billion from N284.7 billion, while the post-tax profit went up by 202 per cent to N676.9 billion from NGN223.9 billion.
As a demonstration of its commitment to shareholders, Zenith Bank proposed a final dividend payout of N3.50 per share, bringing the total dividend to N4.00 per share.
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria, Access Bank Plc, has commenced the sale of commercial paper worth N194 billion under its N400 billion commercial paper programme.
Access Bank, one of the subsidiaries of a financial services provider, Access Holdings Plc, currently trades its equities at the NASD OTC Securities Exchange, with its share price closing flat at N19.30 per unit on Thursday.
Subscription for the debt instrument began on Wednesday, March 20, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The lender is offering the commercial paper for sale in two tenors; 180 days and 270 days, according to details of the exercise obtained by Business Post.
It is selling the six-month maturity at a discounted rate of 19.44 per cent and the nine-month tenor at 20.92 per cent. The minimum subscription is N5 million and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.
Access Bank combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities.
The lender was the first deposit money bank (DMB) in the country to meet the N500 billion minimum capital requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for banks with international operations, with its share capital exceeding N600 billion.
The bank has been acquiring different financial institutions outside the country, including in South Africa, as part of its expansion drive.
It operates commercial banking services through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning three continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers spread across Africa, Europe and Asia.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
No fewer than 20 fresh millionaires have emerged in the Fidelity Bank Plc Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Season 6 promo.
They winners were picked at the second and third monthly draws of the financial institution held at its corporate headquarters in Lagos recently.
The events were monitored by the representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, including the South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC), Mrs Aboluwade Margaret; and the Principal Legal Officer of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Oyinkan Kusamotu.
A statement from the lender disclosed that the 20 lucky winners were randomly selected through an electronic draw across Lagos, North, Abuja, South-West, South-South, and South-East zones and would be rewarded with N1 million each.
The Fidelity Bank GAIM campaign was launched in November 2024 and about N19.75 million has been won by 869 customers across different categories.
The GAIM 6 campaign, which will run until August 2025, is set to reward lucky customers with a total of N159 million.
Speaking at the draws, the promo Chairperson and Executive Director for Lagos and South-West, Fidelity Bank, Dr Ken Opara, noted that the GAIM 6 promo was designed to reward customers’ loyalty, encourage a savings culture, and promote financial inclusion across the country.
Dr Opara, represented by the Regional Bank Head for Ikoyi, Chetachi Okechukwu, said, “Fidelity Bank is dedicated to the financial well-being of our customers and this commitment inspired the launch of the GAIM Promo, designed to cultivate a strong culture of savings.
“Through this promo, customers have the chance to win substantial cash prizes up to N10 million by saving and transacting with their Fidelity Bank Savings accounts.
“In addition to the monetary rewards, winners will receive complimentary financial advisory services to secure and grow their wealth for the future.”
Fidelity Bank, ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 8.5 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of its commitment to deliver quality service to customers, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) has finally embraced the trade finance software of Union Systems Limited (USL), Kachasi.
The lender said its migration from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to USL’s Kachasi is a testament to the strength, reliability and competitiveness of this homegrown solution.
Kachasi is Nigeria’s leading indigenous trade finance software built to empower banks with seamless automation, regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational efficiency.
The platform has consistently proven to be a game-changer in the trade finance sector, offering key features such as full compliance with statutory and local regulatory requirements, end-to-end automation of trade finance processes, compliance with international trade regulations, advanced risk management and reporting tools, as well as seamless integration with core banking, local portals and third-party systems.
RMB said its decision to integrate Kachasi into its operations reinforces the platform’s reputation as a trusted trade finance solution.
As international trade becomes more complex, financial institutions require cutting-edge technology to navigate regulatory requirements, mitigate risks, and ensure operational excellence.
“This win affirms our commitment to revolutionizing trade finance automation across Africa. As more financial institutions embrace Kachasi, we remain dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and elevate the banking sector,” the financial institution stated.
Also, the chief executive of USL, Mr Chuks Onyebuchi, said, “This partnership with Rand Merchant Bank marks a defining moment, not just for Union Systems Limited but for African-built fintech solutions on the global stage.
“The successful transition from Finastra’s Trade Innovation (TI) to Kachasi proves that our homegrown technology is not only competitive but also better suited to the evolving needs of banks and trade finance institutions.
“Kachasi’s seamless automation, deep integration capabilities, and understanding of the local and international trade landscape make it the ideal choice for financial institutions looking to drive efficiency and innovation. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to building world-class technology, and we are excited to support RMB in revolutionizing their trade finance operations.”
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