Zenith Bank remained Nigeria's most profitable bank in 2024, with a profit after tax (PAT) of ₦1.03 trillion, a 53% increase from the 2023 value

Key takeaways:

  • Zenith Bank Plc led the profitability ranking with a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₦1.03 trillion.
  • Guaranty Trust Holding Company followed closely with ₦1.02 trillion in PAT.
  • Each of the top six banks recorded profits exceeding ₦600 billion.
  • The total PAT for the top ten banks rose by 53%, from ₦3.39 trillion in 2023 to ₦5.54 trillion in 2024.
  • FCMB Group Plc was the only bank among the top ten to record a year-on-year decline in PAT.
  • Ecobank, First Holdco, Fidelity Bank, and Wema Bank each recorded over 100% growth in PAT compared to 2023.

The Nigerian banking sector posted robust financial results in 2024, with the ten most profitable banks collectively reporting a profit after tax (PAT) of ₦5.54 trillion. This marks a significant 53% increase from the ₦3.39 trillion recorded in 2023.

 

Zenith Bank Plc topped the profitability chart with a PAT of ₦1.03 trillion, closely followed by Guaranty Trust Holding Company, which posted ₦1.02 trillion. United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Ecobank ranked third and fourth with ₦766.6 billion and ₦735.9 billion, respectively. First Holdco Plc and Access Holdings also recorded strong profits, each exceeding ₦600 billion.

 

Other banks on the top ten list include Fidelity Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Wema Bank, and FCMB Group Plc, with profits ranging from ₦279 billion to ₦73 billion. Notably, FCMB was the only bank on the list to experience a decline in profit compared to the previous year.

Source:

NGX

Period:

2024
HTML code to embed chart
Want a bespoke report?
Reach out
Click to copy HTML embed code
Tags
Related Insights
Ecobank is now Nigeria’s largest publicly listed bank by total assets, after a 67% surge, dethroning Access Holdings in 2024
Key takeaways:
  • Ecobank Transnational Incorporated ranks first with total assets of ₦43.3 trillion, marking a 67% increase from 2023.
  • Access Holdings Plc ranked the second-largest bank in 2024, as against the first in 2023.
  • The combined assets of the top five banks amount to ₦171.6 trillion, a 55% increase from 2023.
  • These five institutions represent the largest players in Nigeria’s banking sector by total assets as of 2023 and 2024.
  • The increase in total assets of the top ten banks ranges from 34% to 67% year on year.
  • The assets of the top ten listed public banks rose by 54% in 2024.
Five of Africa's top ten most profitable banks in 2024 are South African
Key takeaways:
  • Africa's ten most profitable banking institutions are concentrated in South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria.
  • South African and Egyptian banks claim the first five positions among Africa's most profitable banks.
  • Nigeria's banking sector shows resilience, with three of its "FUGAZ" banks securing positions in the continental top ten.
  • The average profit after tax among Africa's top ten profitable banks reached $867 million.
  • The four most profitable banks in Africa each exceeded $1 billion in profit after tax.
Sterling Bank has evolved through mergers, acquisitions and strategic evolution
  • Sterling Bank's origins trace back to 1960 as Nigeria Acceptances Limited, later becoming the first merchant bank in 1969
  • In 2006, NAL Bank merged with four other banks, forming Sterling Bank as it is known today
  • Sterling explored several merger opportunities, including with Ecobank in 2008 and FirstRand in 2011, but these plans did not materialise
  • In 2023, Sterling transitioned into a holding company structure, spinning off its alternative finance arm as a standalone entity, AltBank
  • The bank began raising fresh capital in 2024, with shareholders approving a ₦200 billion equity capital raise and  securing a $50 million private placement as part of its recapitalisation
The evolving brand of Nigeria’s oldest banking institution
  • FirstBank has undergone multiple transformations since its establishment in 1894, adapting to industry shifts and regulatory changes.
  • The bank transitioned from foreign ownership to local incorporation in 1969, aligning with Nigeria’s indigenisation policy.
  • Structural and branding changes continued, including its rebranding to First Bank of Nigeria in 1979 and restructuring into a holding company in 2012.
  • Recent developments include FBN Holdings’ name change to FirstHoldCo and the bank’s planned relocation of its headquarters to Eko Atlantic City in 2025.
Polaris Bank has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to innovation
Key takeaways:
  • Polaris Bank traces its roots back to the establishment of Prudent Bank Plc in 1989.
  • Prudent Merchant Bank Limited merged with Bond Bank Limited, EIB International Bank Plc, Reliance Bank Limited, and Co-operative Bank Plc to create Skye Bank Plc.
  • In 2014, Skye Bank Plc acquired Mainstreet Bank Limited.
  • The Central Bank of Nigeria revoked Skye Bank's operating license in 2018, and Polaris Bank Limited subsequently took over its assets and liabilities.
The legacy of Wema Bank embodies resilience, flexibility, and influence
Key takeaways:
  • In 2015, Wema Bank transitioned from being a regional bank to achieving national bank status.
  • To promote innovation and cooperation within the tech community, Wema Bank organised its inaugural hackathon, "Hackaholics", in 2019.
  • The bank has continually prioritised innovation, particularly with the introduction of ALAT, Nigeria's pioneer fully digital banking service.
  • Wema Bank holds the distinction of being Nigeria's oldest indigenous bank still in operation.
POPULAR TOPICS
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Get periodic updates about the African startup space, access to our reports, among others.
Subscribe Here
Subscription Form
A product of Techpoint Africa. All rights reserved