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3 clusters · 9 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Zenith Bank financial performance and expansion

Overview

Zenith Bank Plc reported a 1.91% increase in pre-tax profit for the first half of 2026, reaching N637.6 billion. This growth was attributed to a significant reduction in impairment charges, lower funding costs, and stronger fee income. However, profit after tax declined to N430.76 billion from N532.18 billion in the first half of 2025, largely because tax expenses more than doubled under the Nigerian Tax Act 2025 framework.

Following these results, the bank proposed a 20% increase in its interim dividend, raising it to N1.50 per share from N1.25 in 2025. The bank also highlighted the performance of its non-banking subsidiaries, Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited and Zenith Nominees Limited, which contributed a combined pre-tax profit of N9.11 billion. Zenith Pensions Custodian was the primary driver, managing pension assets under custody totaling N11.94 trillion. The group further expanded into East Africa through the acquisition of Paramount Bank Kenya Limited in May 2026.

In recent market activity, Zenith Bank led the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in transaction value with a turnover of N2.59 billion, representing approximately 10% of the total N25.88 billion traded across the equities market during that session. Additionally, the bank continues its innovation efforts through Zecathon 6.0, an innovation programme with a N190 million prize pool targeting African startups and developers in sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare, and cybersecurity.

Entities

Zenith Bank · FCMB · Zenith Pensions Custodian Limited · GTCO · Adaora Umeoji

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Zenith Bank leads Nigerian Exchange trading value

    Zenith Bank led Nigerian Exchange trading with a N2.59 billion turnover and has proposed an interim dividend of 1.50 NGN per share.

  2. [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    Zenith Bank proposes 20% interim dividend hike amid rising H1 profits

    Zenith Bank proposed a 20% interim dividend increase after reporting a H1 2026 pre-tax profit of N637.6 billion. Its non-banking subsidiaries also contributed N9.11 billion in profit.

  3. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Zenith Bank reports H1 2026 profit rise and launches Zecathon 6.0

    Zenith Bank reported a 1.9% rise in H1 2026 pre-tax profit to N637.6 billion and launched Zecathon 6.0, a startup innovation competition with a N190 million prize pool.

Sources

ad-hoc-news.de · brandspurng.com · businessamlive.com · dmarketforces.com · investorsking.com · nairametrics.com · thepodiummedia.com · trekafrica.net · tribuneonlineng.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history