Zenith Bank Plc at the weekend paid ₦51.3 billion as interim dividend for the first half of the year, highlighting strong financial performance of the first tier bank during the period.
The ₦51.3 billion payout fir first half 2025 represented more than 60 per cent increase on ₦31.4 billion paid for first half 2024.
The interim dividend per share of ₦1.25 was part of the highlights of the audited financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
Key extracts of the six-month audited results showed robust financial position and growth trajectory, with gross earnings rising by 20 per cent to N2.5 trillion in first half 2025.
Group Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Adaora Umeoji, said the half-year performance and significant payout underlined the bank’s commitment and enhanced capacity to continually generate value for its shareholders.
She said: “We are pleased to have paid this significant interim dividend to our valued shareholders. Our half-year results underscore our resilience and commitment to our stakeholders. Based on the momentum achieved in first half, we are confident in our full-year outlook and expect to exceed shareholders’ expectations by year end”.
She assured shareholders that the bank remained focused on delivering exceptional value and growth, driven by its strong financial fundamentals and strategic initiatives.
The half-year report showed that gross earnings rose by 20 per cent from N2.1 trillion in first half 2024 to ₦2.5 trillion in first half 2025. The top-line performance was driven by 60 per cent growth in interest income, from ₦1.1 trillion in first half 2024 to ₦1.8 trillion in first half 2025.
The report indicated that the bank achieved the increase in interest income through strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.
The bank’s balance sheet also emerged stronger with total assets rising to N31 trillion in June 2025, compared with ₦30 trillion in December 2024. Customer confidence remained strong, with deposits growing by seven per cent from N22 trillion in December 2024 to N23 trillion in June 2025.
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.
Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards.
Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.
The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025 at the BAFI Awards. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.
Zenith Bank was also named Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
