Zenith Bank’s exceptional performance attributed to a surge in its interest income with a staggering N1.1 trillion has been commended by shareholders and analysts as a confirmation of acceptability and growing Patronage of the lender both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Indeed, with sterling performances in all financial indicators, the analysts further say, the bank may have consolidated its leadership position in the industry.
Specifically, interest income is money earned by an a company for lending its funds, which the analysts say, buttress the real intermediation role of the bank.
The bank, regarded as one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, published its audited accounts for the fiscal year 2023, showcasing gross earnings of N2.13 trillion.
The feat represents a growth of 125.4% year on year and is the highest gross earnings ever reported in the company’s history.
The bank also reported a net interest income of approximately N736.18 billion, more than double what was reported in the previous year.
Profit after tax for the period under review rose by 202% to N679.9 billion, setting another significant record for the company.
Furthermore, the group accrued an FX revaluation gain of N228.98 billion, marking a substantial appreciation from the N25.2 billion gain accrued in 2022.
However, the bank allocated a substantial provision of about N409.6 billion, reducing its Net Interest Income after provisioning to N326.5 billion.
This considerable provision may be linked to the bank’s challenges in utilizing its vast retained earnings for dividend payments, especially after the central bank’s recent decision to exclude retained earnings from its calculation of a bank’s share capital.
Moreover, Zenith Bank significantly benefited from the foreign exchange rate, garnering an estimated N228.9 billion from forex revaluation gains.
The bank also reported N566.9 billion from trading gains. Interest income from treasury bills in 2023 soared to N179.0 billion, representing a 310.4% growth from the N43.6 billion recorded in 2022.
Additionally, interest income from government and other bonds reached N187.4 billion in 2023.
A major contributor to fees and commission income for Zenith Bank during the fiscal year was electronic product fees, which amounted to N51.8 billion, marking a 13.3% increase from the N45.7 billion posted in 2022.
In 2023, the group’s capital adequacy ratio climbed to 22%, up from 20% in 2022.
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Key Highlights (FY 2023 vs FY 2022)
Gross Earnings: N2.13 trillion, +125.4% YoY
Net Interest Income: N736.18 billion, +100.8% YoY
Net Income on Fees and Commission: N109.31 billion, -17.7% YoY
Trading Gains: N566.97 billion, +166.6% YoY
Profit Before Tax: N795.96 billion, +179.6% YoY
Profit After Tax: N676.91 billion, +202.3% YoY
Earnings per share: N21.55, +201.8% YoY
Loans and Advances: N6.57 trillion, +63.4% YoY
Total Assets: N20.37 trillion, +65.8% YoY
Total Shareholders’ Equity: N2.32 trillion, +68.5% YoY
Retained Earnings: N1,179,390 vs N625,005
Proposed Dividends: N3.50 per share (Total for the year N4 per share)