Nigerian banks post mixed 2025 results: profits down but capital and loans grow

Nigerian banks posted mixed 2025 financial results: aggregate profit fell amid tighter prudential rules, yet capital adequacy improved and loan books expanded. Average capital adequacy ratio slipped slightly to 22.06% but GT Bank led with 43.8%, while Wema Bank and Zenith Bank held strong at 28.1% and 25.3%. Loan growth averaged 7.1% across the ten commercial banks, with Wema Bank leading at 44.7% and Sterling Bank at 28.0%, pushing total industry loans to ₦55.0 trillion. Deposits rose, with Access Holdings holding the largest book at ₦34.6 trillion. Non‑performing loans stayed just above the 5% prudential limit; Fidelity Bank recorded the lowest NPL at 2.4% and Access Holdings at 2.8%, while seven banks improved their ratios. Cost‑to‑income crept up to 49.9%, though GTCO and Stanbic IBTC remained the most efficient at 28% and 37%. Dividend payouts were limited to six banks, GTCO topping at 50.2%. The sector faces pressure from the end of regulatory forbearance and tighter capital rules, but most banks strengthened balance sheets and continued to attract deposits. For savers and investors, which banks offer the best mix of capital strength, loan growth, and dividend yield, and how might shifting loan‑to‑deposit ratios affect future lending rates?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/07/15/best-nigerian-commercial-banks-judging-by-their-numbers-in-2025/