Fidelity Bank Plc has reported a robust financial performance for the half year ended June 30, 2025, recording a profit after tax of ₦132.3 billion for the Group, compared to ₦159.8 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite the slight dip in profit, the bank achieved a significant expansion in its balance sheet, with total assets surging to ₦10.05 trillion, representing a 14% growth from ₦8.82 trillion as of December 31, 2024.
According to the bank’s unaudited consolidated and separate financial statements released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Thursday, gross earnings rose to ₦748.7 billion, up from ₦512.9 billion recorded in the same period last year, reflecting stronger revenue generation across interest and non-interest income lines.
Interest and similar income, driven primarily by improved yields on loans and investments, increased to ₦557.9 billion in June 2025 from ₦363.9 billion in June 2024. This contributed to a net interest income of ₦420.4 billion, up from ₦326.4 billion recorded the previous year.
Total loans and advances to customers grew to ₦4.85 trillion, compared to ₦4.39 trillion as of December 2024, while customer deposits rose sharply to ₦7.20 trillion from ₦5.94 trillion, indicating sustained customer confidence and strong deposit mobilisation.
The bank’s investment securities also improved, with debt instruments at amortised cost increasing to ₦1.49 trillion, reflecting the bank’s strategic positioning in fixed-income investments.
The financials showed that fee and commission income rose significantly to ₦53.35 billion, up from ₦35.05 billion in the first half of 2024, reflecting growth in electronic banking and trade-related revenues. However, other operating expenses climbed to ₦200.06 billion from ₦128.6 billion, highlighting the impact of inflationary pressures and operational expansion.
Despite a ₦45.38 billion income tax expense and a ₦2.83 billion windfall tax, the Group maintained a resilient bottom line, delivering a profit before tax of ₦180.53 billion, slightly below the ₦200.87 billion reported in the previous period.
Fidelity Bank’s total equity stood at ₦975.64 billion as of June 2025, up from ₦897.87 billion as of December 2024, driven by retained earnings and a fair value gain of ₦13.99 billion from equity instruments through other comprehensive income.
The bank’s capital structure remained solid, with share capital and share premium unchanged at ₦25.1 billion and ₦280.5 billion, respectively, while the statutory reserve increased to ₦127.85 billion.
Earnings per share (EPS) for the period stood at 264 kobo, compared to 499 kobo in the previous year. The total comprehensive income for the Group closed at ₦140.52 billion, reflecting continued profitability amid a challenging economic environment.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on October 13, 2025, and duly signed by Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman; Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer; and Victor Abejeyah, Chief Financial Officer.
Fidelity Bank’s 2025 half-year results underscore its resilience, prudent risk management, and ability to sustain growth despite macroeconomic headwinds. With assets surpassing ₦10 trillion for the first time, the bank continues to consolidate its position among Nigeria’s tier-one financial institutions.
