Fidelity Bank Plc has posted a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2026, recording a 37.9 per cent rise in gross earnings to N434.95 billion, compared to N315.42 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. The impressive growth reflects the bank’s continued expansion in core banking operations and increasing market share within Nigeria’s banking sector.
According to the bank’s interim financial report released on the Nigerian Exchange, interest income grew significantly by 22.8 per cent to N314.48 billion during the three month period ended March 31, 2026. This was higher than the N256.10 billion recorded in the corresponding period last year. The increase was largely supported by improved lending activities and stronger income from interest earning assets.Fidelity Bank also reported net interest income of N180.97 billion, while profit before tax stood at N92.48 billion.
After tax deductions, the bank recorded a net profit of N74.47 billion for the quarter. Earnings per share remained strong at N5.69, highlighting the lender’s sustained profitability and capacity to deliver value to shareholders. The bank’s balance sheet also showed steady improvement within the review period.
Total assets rose above the N11 trillion mark, reaching N11.35 trillion by March 2026 from N10.46 trillion recorded at the end of December 2025. Customer deposits also increased from N6.89 trillion to N7.38 trillion, reflecting growing customer confidence and stronger liquidity levels. Shareholders’ funds strengthened considerably as total equity climbed by 27.5 per cent to N1.39 trillion, compared to N1.09 trillion in December 2025.
The growth was largely driven by improved earnings and the bank’s strengthened capital position following its successful recapitalisation exercise. The latest results further reinforce Fidelity Bank’s positive earnings outlook after recording strong growth across major financial indicators in its 2025 full year performance. The bank had earlier announced that gross earnings for the 2025 financial year increased by 45.6 per cent to N1.52 trillion from N1.04 trillion in 2024.
Profit after tax for the period stood at N242.4 billion. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described the first quarter performance as proof of the bank’s resilience and strong business structure.
“We are on a stronger footing and confident that we will set new growth records that are reflective of our legacy and the future we are working on,” Onyeali-Ikpe said. The bank noted that the successful completion of its recapitalisation programme has positioned it for a new phase of expansion and stronger returns in the coming years.
