Fidelity Bank Plc has reported a 45 per cent increase in gross earnings for the 2025 financial year, with shareholders’ funds crossing the N1 trillion mark following sustained balance sheet expansion and fresh capital injection.
According to an analysis of the bank’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, gross earnings rose to N1.5 trillion from N1.04 trillion recorded in 2024.
The bank’s net interest income increased to N831.3 billion from N629.7 billion in the previous year, reflecting stronger earnings capacity amid elevated interest rates and growth in interest-earning assets.
Interest and similar income calculated using the effective interest rate climbed by 38.7 per cent to N1.11 trillion in 2025 from N803.05 billion in 2024, while other interest and similar income rose by 25.1 per cent to N184.51 billion.
Net interest income after credit loss also improved significantly, rising by 41.2 per cent to N809.74 billion from N573.33 billion. Credit loss expense moderated to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion, representing a 61.7 per cent year-on-year improvement.
The bank also recorded strong growth in non-interest revenue during the period. Fee and commission income increased by 44.7 per cent to N113.36 billion from N78.36 billion, driven by growth in letters of credit commissions and fees, ATM charges, commissions on travellers’ cheques and foreign bills, account maintenance charges, and e-banking activities.
Other operating income rose by 200.5 per cent to N8.24 billion, while foreign currency revaluation gains surged by 749.9 per cent to N99.58 billion from N11.72 billion in 2024.
Fidelity Bank’s investment assets also expanded significantly during the year. Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) increased by 199 per cent to N557.78 billion from N186.57 billion, while debt instruments at amortised cost rose by 27.2 per cent to N1.97 trillion from N1.55 trillion. Equity instruments at FVOCI climbed by 26.2 per cent to N87.85 billion.
The lender further recorded gains from financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), which increased by 280.7 per cent to N2.75 billion. It also posted a new gain of N988 million from derecognition activities during the year.
On the balance sheet side, cash and cash equivalents rose sharply by 87 per cent to N1.32 trillion from N707.45 billion, indicating stronger liquidity buffers. Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria also increased to N1.65 trillion from N1.59 trillion.
Other assets grew by 76.4 per cent to N278.89 billion, while investments in property, plant and equipment rose by 161.6 per cent to N203.72 billion. Intangible assets increased by 147.5 per cent to N50.44 billion, reflecting continued investment in technology and operational infrastructure. Deferred tax assets also rose significantly to N33.10 billion from N5.31 billion.
The bank reduced debts issued and other borrowed funds to N888.95 billion from N929.60 billion, reflecting lower reliance on external borrowings. Deferred tax liabilities declined completely from N727 million in 2024 to zero in 2025.
Total assets grew by 18.6 per cent to N10.46 trillion from N8.82 trillion, driven by growth in liquid assets and investment securities. Customer deposits increased by 16.1 per cent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion, reflecting sustained customer confidence and expansion in the bank’s funding base.
Fidelity Bank also strengthened its capital position during the year as total equity rose by 21.1 per cent to N1.09 trillion from N897.87 billion, pushing shareholders’ funds above the N1 trillion mark.
The bank disclosed that it completed a private placement of 12.9 billion ordinary shares in December 2025, raising fresh capital that increased eligible capital to N532.6 billion, above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion minimum requirement for banks with international authorisation.
The exercise increased total issued shares from 50.2 billion units to 63.17 billion units, significantly boosting shareholders’ funds beyond the N1 trillion threshold.
The stronger capital base is expected to enhance the lender’s capacity to finance larger transactions, expand lending activities, and support future regional growth opportunities.
Comment here