FCMB Group Plc delivered a strong financial performance in 2025, posting a profit before tax (PBT) of N202.1 billion, an increase of 80.6 percent compared to the N111.9 billion recorded in 2024.
According to the group’s audited financial statements released on Monday, the impressive growth was largely driven by a significant rise in interest income, which exceeded N1 trillion for the first time in the company’s history.
The financial services group also reported a profit after tax of N177.3 billion, a substantial improvement from the N73.3 billion achieved in the previous year. Gross earnings rose by 42.5 percent to N1.13 trillion, reflecting stronger performance across key business segments.
Following the strong earnings result, FCMB Group’s board recommended a dividend payment of 35 kobo per share, amounting to N23.08 billion. The proposed dividend is expected to be presented to shareholders for approval at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting.
A closer look at the financial report showed that interest income climbed by 61.7 percent to N1.01 trillion from N621.7 billion in 2024. This income category accounted for nearly 89 percent of the group’s total gross earnings during the year.
Loans and advances to customers remained the largest source of interest income, generating N611.6 billion. This represented approximately 61 percent of the group’s total interest earnings, highlighting the importance of lending activities to its overall performance.
FCMB also benefited from stronger returns on liquid assets. Interest income earned from cash and cash equivalents surged to N145.3 billion, a significant jump from the N12.8 billion recorded a year earlier. This increase reflected the favourable interest rate environment and improved treasury management activities.
The group’s net interest income more than doubled, rising to N505.9 billion from N225.3 billion in 2024. The growth indicates that earnings expanded faster than the cost of funding operations, helping to strengthen overall profitability.
Beyond interest-based earnings, FCMB recorded solid growth in fee-related income. Net fee and commission income increased by 30.4 percent to N76.7 billion, supported by higher transaction volumes and expanded banking services.
Despite the strong revenue growth, the company faced rising costs during the year. Impairment charges increased sharply to N81.7 billion from N41.2 billion in 2024, reflecting higher provisions made for potential loan losses. Operating expenses also grew due to increases in personnel costs, administrative expenses, and other operational expenditures.
However, these challenges did not significantly affect profitability. Operating profit rose by 79.2 percent to N200.9 billion, demonstrating the resilience of FCMB’s core banking operations and its ability to manage costs while growing revenue.
On the balance sheet, total assets expanded by 8.2 percent to N7.63 trillion from N7.05 trillion in the previous year. Customer deposits also increased to N4.42 trillion, showing continued confidence from customers.
Investment securities experienced notable growth, rising to N2.04 trillion from N1.19 trillion. Meanwhile, shareholders’ funds climbed by 21.4 percent to N835.4 billion, supported by strong earnings retention and reserve growth.
The 2025 results underline FCMB Group’s strong financial position and its ability to generate sustainable growth despite economic challenges, further strengthening its standing within Nigeria’s banking sector.
