Business
ZENITH BANK REAFFIRMS MARKET DOMINANCE AND LEADERSHIP WITH Q3 2019 RESULTS
Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the period ended
30 September, 2019, with numbers that clearly demonstrates its market
dominance and leadership.
From the unaudited account which was presented to the Nigerian Stock
Exchange (NSE), gross earnings increased by 4% percent from N474,607
billion recorded in Q3 2018 to N491,268 billion in Q3 2019. Profit Before
Tax (PBT) grew by 5% from N167,307 billion in Q3 2018 to a record
N176,183 billion in Q3 2019. Also, profit after tax rose by 5% from
N144,179 billion in Q3 2018 to N150,723 billion in Q3 2019.
Despite a challenging macro-economic backdrop, the Group recorded a
significant growth in Non-Interest Income, expanding by 22% from N128.7
billion in Q3 2018 to N156.8 billion for the current period. Our platforms and
channels have been the enablers of this growth, with fees from electronic
products doubling to N35.3 billion from N17.6 billion in Q3 2018.
Our cost optimization strategies and aggressive retail banking drive are
yielding the desired effects as cost-to-income ratio declined from 51.2% in
Q3 2018 to 50.1% in Q3 2019 with Earnings Per Share (EPS) growing by
5% from N4.58 in Q3 2018 to N4.80 in Q3 2019.
Our retail and corporate banking franchises continued its momentum with
customers’ deposits growing by 7% to N3.95 trillion from N3.69 trillion
recorded as at December 2018, a reflection of increasing share of the
industry’s deposits and customers’ confidence in the Zenith brand. These
deposit acquisitions have directly contributed to our cost of funds improving
from 3.3% in Q3 2018 to 2.95% as at Q3 2019.
We have continued to deploy capital to creating viable risk assets with
gross loans and advances growing by 9% from N2.02 trillion as at
December 2018 to N2.2 trillion as at Q3 2019 across both the retail and
corporate segments. Our focus remains the search for bankable lending
opportunities to ensure the attainment of the minimum regulatory loan-to-
deposit ratio (LDR) of 65% by December 31, 2019 without compromising
our prudence.
Our robust risk management framework has ensured that non-performing
loans (NPL) ratio declined from 4.98% in December 2018 to 4.95% in the
current period. Our commitment to maintaining a shock-proof balance
sheet remains with liquidity and capital adequacy ratios at 63.8% and
23.8% respectively, both above regulatory thresholds.
In this final quarter of the year, we will sustain our competitiveness and
share of market in the corporate segment and build upon our digital
foundations to reinforce our retail banking initiatives.
As a testament to this superlative performance and in recognition of its
track record of excellent performance, the bank was recently named as the
Bank of the Year and the Best Bank in Retail Banking at the 2019
BusinessDay Banks’ and Other Financial Institutions Awards (BAFI
Awards).
Business
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Bank
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
Business
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
-
celebrity radar - gossips6 months agoWhy Babangida’s Hilltop Home Became Nigeria’s Political “Mecca”
-
society6 months agoPower is a Loan, Not a Possession: The Sacred Duty of Planting People
-
society5 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news6 months agoTHE APPOINTMENT OF WASIU AYINDE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN AMBASSADOR SOUNDS EMBARRASSING



You must be logged in to post a comment Login