Connect with us

brand

Fidelity Bank Plc Announces a 53.9% Growth in Profit Before Tax to N10.1bn For the 3 Months ​ Ended 31 March 2021

Published

on

Top gerian lender, Fidelity Bank Plc recorded a strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2021, posting appreciable growth in profits for the period ended 31 March 2021.

Details of the unaudited results, released at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) show that Profit before Tax (PBT) grew by 53.9% from N6.6bn in 2020 to N10.1bn for the corresponding period of March 31, 2021.​ Similarly, Net revenue in the period increased by 13.4% from N30.3bn in Q1 2020 to N34.4bn in 2021, just as the bank recorded growth in other performance indices.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc commenting on the results, stated that:

“We commenced the year showing impressive double-digit growth in profitability and improved performance across key efficiency indices whilst ensuring our business model continued to deliver strong positive results in line with our guidance for the 2021 financial year.

Gross Earnings increased by 7.7% YoY to N55.1bn on account of 66.7% growth in non-interest revenue to N12.1bn from N7.2bn in Q1 2020. In absolute terms, the increase in NIR came from FX related income, digital banking income and account maintenance charge etc. as total customers’ induced transactions across all our service channels increased by 30.4% YoY and 17.1% QoQ.

Net Interest Margin remained unchanged at 6.3% compared to 2020FY as the drop in average funding cost offset the decline in average yields on earning assets. Average funding cost dropped to 2.5% from 3.6% in 2020FY due to a combination of improved deposit mix and a slight moderation in average borrowing cost. This led to 26.2% decline in total interest expenses, which translated to 17.1% increase in net interest income to N28.8bn despite a 4.3% increase in interest bearing liabilities. We refinanced our 7-Yr N30.0bn Tier II Bonds issued in 2015 at 16.48% p.a.​ with cheaper 10-Yr N41.2bn Tier II Bonds priced at 8.5% p.a., which led to a 61bpts drop in average borrowing cost to 4.5%.

Operating Expenses increased by N1.3bn (6.2%) to N23.0bn largely driven by N4.3bn growth in regulatory charges (NDIC & AMCON Charges). Excluding the increase in regulatory charges, total operating expenses would have dropped by 13.8% (6.1% QoQ) to N18.6bn from N21.6bn in Q1 2020 (Q4 2020: N19.8bn).

Total Deposits increased by 3.1% YTD to N1,751.3bn from N1,699.0bn in 2020FY, driven by 5.5% increase in low cost deposits (Demand: 6.2% | Savings: 4.1%). Foreign currency deposits increased by 15.7% YTD (N46.9bn) and now accounts for 19.7% of total deposits from 17.5% in 2020FY, as we harness the benefits of our renewed drive in Diaspora Banking as well as the recent CBN Naira-for-Dollar Incentive Scheme for diaspora remittances to Nigeria.

Retail Banking continued to deliver impressive results as savings deposits increased by 4.1% YTD to N441.6bn and we are on course to achieving the 9th consecutive year of double-digit growth in savings deposits. Savings deposits was responsible for 32.9% of the absolute growth in total deposits and now accounts for 25.2% of total deposits compared to 25.0% in 2020.

Net Loans and Advances increased by 7.6% YTD to N1,426.3bn from N1,326.1bn in 2020FY. However, the actual growth was 6.8% while the impact of the currency adjustment (2020FY: N400.3/$ – Q1 2021: N407.6/$) accounted for a 0.8% YTD growth in the loan book. Cost of risk came in at 0.4% and the NPL ratio dropped to 3.6% from 3.8% in 2020FY.

Other Regulatory Ratios remained above the required thresholds with liquidity ratio at 33.9% and capital adequacy ratio (CAR) at 18.4% from 18.2% in 2020FY.

We are committed to sustaining our growth trajectory and achieving the long-term strategic aspirations of the Bank as we look forward to delivering another set of good results in the next quarter”.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

brand

HabariPay Launches Maiden “HabariPay Impact Report 2025”, Showcasing Its Journey, Business Evolution, and Contributions to Digital Payments

Published

on

HabariPay Limited, the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or the “Group”), has unveiled its maiden HabariPay Impact Report 2025, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive account of the company’s evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact on the digital payments landscape.The report captures HabariPay’s transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers, highlighting the milestones, strategic decisions, and investments that have shaped its growth. It showcases the company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions.The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the company’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions. The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.Speaking on the launch of the report, the Managing Director of HabariPay, Eduofon Japhet, said: “As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators. The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy.”She further added: “The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders. As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive.”The report also showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.Looking ahead, the publication outlines HabariPay’s vision for the future, including continued investment in payment infrastructure, merchant solutions, digital innovation, and intelligent technologies that will shape the future of financial services.
To access the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, please click the below: https://squadco.com/impact-report/About HabariPayHabariPay Ltd is the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa with direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom.Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), our goal is to support SMEs, micro merchants, large corporations, and other fintechs (Tech Stars) with the tools they need to thrive in an evolving digital economy and expand beyond their current market reach. HabariPay’s solutions include Squad, a full-scale digital payments toolkit to make in-person and online payments simpler, HabariPay Storefront, an e-commerce website to facilitate online purchases, Value-Added Services to help merchants access cost-effective and flexible airtime and data bundles to run their businesses, as well as a switching infrastructure that enables tech-focused businesses to optimise cost and make transactions more efficient.HabariPay’s contributions to Accelerating Digital Acceptance in Africa have not gone unnoticed–it received Mastercard’s Innovative Mobile Payment Solution Award at TIA 2022 for its innovative payment solution, SquadPOS.

Continue Reading

brand

ZENITHBANKPARTNERSLAWMA,LASWATOCOMMEMORATEWORLDENVIRONMENT DAY 2026 WITH TWO-PHASE LAGOS CLEAN-UP

Published

on

Inlinewithitscommitmenttoenvironmentalsustainabilityandresponsiblebusinesspractices,
ZenithBankPlchascommemoratedthe2026WorldEnvironmentDaywithatwo-phase
environmental clean-up initiative in LagosState, held under theglobal theme “Inspired by Nature.
For Climate. For Our Future.”
The first phase was a morning clean-upconducted by staff of the Bank on Wednesday,3 June
2026, along Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exercise mobilised employees to
clear waste, sensitise residents on proper disposal practices, and reinforce the Bank’s culture of
community service and environmental stewardship.
Thesecondphase,onThursday,4June2026,featuredawaterwaysclean-upattheFalomo
Waterways, Ikoyi, Lagos, executed in collaboration with the Lagos Waste Management Authority
(LAWMA)andtheLagosStateWaterwaysAuthority(LASWA).Thejointeffortfocusedon
removingmarinedebris,promotingcleanerwaterways,andsupportingtheState’sbroader
climate-resilience agenda.
Speakingontheinitiative,DameDr.AdaoraUmeoji,OON,GroupManagingDirector/CEOof
Zenith Bank Plc, said: “At Zenith Bank, sustainability is integral to how we operate. Clearing our
streetsandourwaterwaysisapracticalreminderthatprotectingtheenvironmentisashared
responsibility – and one we are proud to take up alongside LAWMA and LASWA. Through these
exercises, we aretaking deliberate action topreserve our communities,support climate action,
andinspireotherstoact.Ouroperationswillcontinuetoalignwithglobalenvironmental
standards as we build a more sustainable future for Nigeria and Africa.”
ZenithBankremainscommittedtoembeddingEnvironmental,SocialandGovernance(ESG)
principles across its operations, investing in green initiatives, energy efficiency, and community-
focused programmes. These efforts advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
–particularlySDG7(AffordableandCleanEnergy),SDG11(SustainableCitiesand
Communities)andSDG13(ClimateAction).Sustainabilityremainsanoperationalimperative
across the Bank’s Nigerian base and its broader African, UK and European footprints
Continue Reading

brand

ZENITH BANK RENEWS COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN WITH EDUCATION, INCLUSION & OPPORTUNITY AT THE CORE

Published

on

  • Much more than commemorating the annual Children’s Day marked every May 27, Zenith Bank Plc is championing the
    narrativethatchildrenarethetrueleadersoftomorrow.TheBankhasdeepeneditsinvestmentincarefullycurated
    initiativesthatelevatechildrenacrosseducation,financialliteracy,health,digitalinclusion,andsocialprotection,
    building a generation equipped to thrive and lead. For Zenith Bank, every child matters, and the Bank’s footprint reflects
    a deliberate, pan-African strategy to nurture potential from the earliest age.
    Zenith Bank has been the financial institution partner to Kiddies Corner on Inspiration 92.3FM Lagos for over three
    years, anchoring the Tuesday edition and Zenith Financial Literacy Friday show. The programme blends spelling bee
    contestswithfinancialliteracyquestions,creatingawarenessandonboardingchildrenintotheZenithChildren’s
    Account (ZECA). This partnership came alive at the Inspiration FM Children’s Day Carnival on Saturday, May 23, 2026,
    whereZenithBankhostedover1,000childrenandtheirparents,celebratingZECAwinnerswithgames,skits,and
    Zenith Bank branded gifts.
    The Bank’s Zenith Financial Literacy Week, held quarterly, takes this mission into select schools across all 36 states
    andtheFCT.Studentsaretrainedonsavings,budgeting,basicinvestments,anditsretailproducts,withthetop
    performer in each school awarded N50,000. Complementing this is the Bank’s nationwide Financial Literacy Program
    undertheCBN-mandatedGlobalMoneyWeek,whichin2025alonereached3,622studentsacross22LGAs,
    deploying 137 bank employee volunteers as educators.
    In alignment with the United Nation’s (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on Quality Education, Zenith Bank
    hasdonatedstate-of-the-artICTcentresandcomputersystemstoschoolsanduniversitiesnationwide,includinga
    ComputerCentretoBamainaAcademy,Dutse,JigawaState.Itstransformativeinterventionsincludefullyequipped
    libraries,vocationalfacilities,andlarge-scaleschoolrenovations,fromOjotaSecondarySchoolandVictoriaIsland
    Secondary School in Lagos to Hugallawa Primary School in Jigawa. Targeted financial support further breaks barriers
    with N1 million cash donation to Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Itele, supporting girl-child education; infrastructure
    upgrades at Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School; a N1 million scholarship endowment for St. Francis Catholic
    Secondary School; and support for the North-East Children’s Fund to aid education in conflict-affected communities.
    Through its Primary Healthcare Centre Initiative across all 774 LGAs, Zenith Bank educates parents on early childhood
    savings during routine visits, linking health and financial well-being. The “PAD-A-QUEEN” Initiative commemorates the
    International Day of the Girl Child, reaching5,000 girls in 10 schools withsanitary pads, hygiene kits, and menstrual
    health education to keep girls in school and promote SDGs 3, 4, and 5.
    The Bank’s compassion extends to the most vulnerable. At Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, Idi Oro, Lagos,
    Zenith donatedbraille materials,food, and toiletries.For the2026 InternationalDay forStreet Children,it partneredwith
    Bosco Child Protection Centre on medical check-ups, food, clothing, and counseling. Annual Christmas Charity Visits to
    orphanagesdelivercash,toys,andessentialsupplies,whilesupportfortheSmileandShineChildrenFoundation’s
    Strive Conference empowers over 2,000 adolescents with life skills and leadership training.
    Commenting on the Bank’s intentionality towards the development of children, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group
    Managing Director/CEO, ZenithBank Plc, said, “AtZenith Bank, weare deliberate about initiativesthat elevate children
    becausetheyarenotjustourfuture,theyareourpresentresponsibility.AsWhitneyHoustonsopoignantlysang,‘I
    believethechildrenarethefuture,teachthemwellandletthemleadtheway.’Thatisthephilosophydrivingour
    investmentsineducation,financialliteracy,health,anddigitalinclusion.FromKiddiesCornertoICTcentres,from
    PHCs to orphanages, we are teaching them well, equipping them early, and giving them the tools to lead. Zenith Bank
    renews its commitment to every Nigerian child, to nurture their dreams, protect their dignity, and secure their tomorrow.”
    Championing youth expression, the Zenith Annual Youth Parade, hosted by the Bank for 19 years, stands as a flagship
    Corporate Social Responsibilityinitiative. Bringing togetherthousands of childrenand teenagers in avibrant showcase
    of unity and discipline, the parade has remained dedicated since inception to the vital mission of supporting, nurturing,
  • andempoweringtheNigerianchild,reinforcingtheBank’sbeliefthatleadershipislearnedearlythroughteamwork,
    confidence, and celebration of young Nigerian identity.
    ForZenithBank,Children’sDayismorethanadateonthecalendar.Itisadailypledgetoempower,protect,and
    prepareNigeria’schildrenforleadership.Fromclassroomstocommunities, the Bank’s initiatives are teaching them well
    and letting them lead the way because the future belongs to children who are equipped today.
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2025 Newsthumb Magazine | All rights reserved