Fidelity Bank Assets hit N10.46trn in FY2025

Fidelity Bank has reported an 18.6 per cent increase in total assets to N10.46 trillion in its 2025 full-year financial results, driven by growth in investment securities, stronger liquidity and improved asset quality. The bank’s audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2025, showed that total assets rose from N8.82 trillion recorded in […]

Fidelity Bank has reported an 18.6 per cent increase in total assets to N10.46 trillion in its 2025 full-year financial results, driven by growth in investment securities, stronger liquidity and improved asset quality.
The bank’s audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2025, showed that total assets rose from N8.82 trillion recorded in 2024, marking its highest asset level in 15 years.
Commenting on the performance, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the bank remained focused on prudent balance sheet management and building a stable funding base.
“We have remained focused on prudent management of our balance sheet, having made good progress in building a stable and balanced funding base, which has enabled us to position the bank for opportunities in both Nigeria and the UK,” she said.

 

According to the bank, liquidity buffers strengthened significantly during the period, with cash and cash equivalents rising by 87 per cent to N1.32 trillion from N707.45 billion recorded in 2024.

 

Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also increased to N1.65 trillion from N1.59 trillion, reflecting a stronger liquidity position.

 

The bank’s liquidity ratio stood at 66.5 per cent, more than double the regulatory minimum requirement of 30 per cent.

 

Investment assets also recorded strong growth as the lender expanded its exposure to income-generating securities.

Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income surged by 199 per cent to N557.78 billion from N186.57 billion, while debt instruments at amortised cost increased by 27.2 per cent to N1.97 trillion from N1.55 trillion.

Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income also rose by 26.2 per cent to N87.85 billion.

The bank equally reported a significant improvement in asset quality and credit risk metrics.

Credit loss expense declined to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion, while cost of risk improved to 0.5 per cent from 1.5 per cent in 2024.

Non-performing loans measured by Stage 3 loans also dropped to 2.4 per cent from 3.1 per cent, indicating healthier loan book performance and stronger credit risk management.

The improvement in asset quality boosted earnings performance, with net interest income after credit losses rising by 41.2 per cent to N809.74 billion from N573.33 billion.

Net interest income also increased by 32 per cent to N831.35 billion.

According to Onyeali-Ikpe, the bank’s net interest margin improved to 12.3 per cent from 12 per cent in 2024 due to stronger yields on earning assets.

She explained that the average yield on earning assets rose by 108 basis points to 19.2 per cent, supported by improved pricing on loans and investment securities, while average funding cost increased to 6.1 per cent.

 

Customer deposits also grew by 16.1 per cent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion, driven largely by growth in low-cost deposits, including savings, current and domiciliary accounts.=

The bank said low-cost deposits rose by 14.4 per cent, while foreign currency deposits increased by four per cent year-on-year.

Gross earnings climbed by 45.6 per cent to N1.52 trillion from N1.04 trillion, supported by growth in both interest and non-interest income streams.

According to the lender, stronger foreign exchange income, trade transactions, digital banking revenue and credit-related fees contributed significantly to non-interest income growth.

 

However, Fidelity Bank disclosed that profit for the year declined moderately by 9.7 per cent to N347.7 billion due to a derivative loss of N223.8 billion.

“Although the Group’s profit declined moderately by 9.7 per cent to N347.7 billion due to derivative loss of N223.8 billion, our UK subsidiary recorded a positive operating profit and remains on track to make a sustainable positive contribution to the Group’s overall profitability in the periods ahead,” Onyeali-Ikpe added.

Other asset categories also posted significant growth during the period.

Other assets rose by 76.4 per cent to N278.89 billion, while property, plant and equipment increased by 161.6 per cent to N203.72 billion.

Intangible assets climbed by 147.5 per cent to N50.44 billion, reflecting continued investment in technology and infrastructure.

Deferred tax assets also rose sharply to N33.10 billion from N5.31 billion.

The bank’s shareholders’ funds increased by 21.1 per cent to N1.09 trillion, while capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.2 per cent, above regulatory requirements.

Fidelity Bank also 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 CBN’s N500 billion minimum requirement for banks with international authorisation.

The capital raise increased the bank’s issued shares from 50.2 billion units to 63.17 billion units.

On the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Fidelity Bank’s share price rose from N19 at the beginning of the year to N21.9 as of Monday, representing a 15.3 per cent year-to-date gain.

The lender currently ranks as the 25th most valuable stock on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), with a market capitalisation of approximately N1.1 trillion.