Zenith Bank’s gross earnings hit N3.4trn as lender rakes in N917bn profit in Q3 2025

Zenith Bank Plc has released its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, posting N3.4 trillion gross earnings and a profit before tax of N917 billion.

Zenith Bank recorded a 16% year-on-year growth in gross earnings from N2.9 trillion recorded in Q3 2024 to N3.4 trillion in Q3 2025.

According to the financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Friday, October 31, 2025, the bank said the growth in gross earnings was driven by a sustained growth in interest income which grew by 41% year-on-year to N2.7 trillion.

The bank noted that the growth in interest income was supported by a high-yield rate environment and an expansion in the bank’s investment portfolio.

The bank disclosed that despite the increase in interest expense by 22% to N814 billion on the back of a tightening monetary cycle and a growth in Zenith Bank’s funding base, it was able to achieve a healthy Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 12% as against 10% in September 2024.

Non-interest income declined by 38% to N535 billion, underpinned by a 60% decline in trading gains.

Zenith Bank, however, reported a profit before tax of N917 billion, as against N1.00 trillion reported in September 2024.

Zenith Bank’s profit after tax also declined by 8% to N764 billion, while Earnings Per Share (EPS) was recorded at N18.60 as against N26.34 in September 2024, as the bank took measures to improve the quality of its loan portfolio.

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The bank’s total assets grew by 4% from N30 trillion in December 2024 to N31 trillion as of September 2025.

The bank said this was largely supported by customer deposits, which rose by 8% to N23.7 trillion within the same period.

Gross loans declined by 9% to N10 trillion as of September 2025, while Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3% due to the write-off of non-performing loans.

Zenith Bank further revealed that its Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) stood at 23.3% and 3.3%, respectively, while cost of funds increased to 4.5%. The Group’s cost of risk stood at 10% while cost-to-income ratio rose to 45%.

Zenith Bank said the coverage ratio and liquidity ratio remain solid and well within regulatory limits at 211.1% and 53%, respectively, noting that this highlights the bank’s strong capital position and liquidity profile as well as its ability to fund strategic growth opportunities.

Speaking on the results, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr Adaora Umeoji, said: “The bank’s robust performance is an attestation 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.”

Looking to Q4 2025, Umeoji reinforced her optimistic outlook, saying: “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 through the remainder of 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 assured shareholders that the robust performance, combined with improved asset quality and the bank’s strong capital base, positions Zenith Bank to deliver exceptional returns with expectations of sustained value creation.

“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 added.

The Star