By David Akinmola
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has reported a strong financial performance for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, posting a pre-tax profit of ₦150 billion, driven by robust growth in interest income, improved trading revenue, and disciplined cost management.
The result, released to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) yesterday, shows that the financial services group sustained its earnings momentum despite macroeconomic headwinds, including high inflation, elevated interest rates, and volatile foreign exchange conditions.
The company’s pre-tax profit for the nine-month period represents a significant improvement over the ₦88 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting the group’s resilience and strong execution across its business segments.
According to the financial statement, gross earnings rose by 55 per cent year-on-year to ₦460 billion, up from ₦296 billion in the same period last year. The bank attributed the performance to growth in interest income from loans and advances, higher trading income from its markets business, and increased fees and commission revenue from its wealth and asset management units.
Net interest income grew by 48 per cent to ₦205 billion, boosted by higher yields on earning assets and prudent balance sheet management. Non-interest revenue also surged, supported by strong performance in the group’s investment banking, brokerage, and pension administration businesses.
Commenting on the result, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Dr. Demola Sogunle, said the group’s diversified business model and sound risk management framework enabled it to deliver another strong quarter despite the tough operating environment.
“Our performance in the third quarter reflects the strength of our diversified franchise and our ability to respond effectively to market dynamics,” Sogunle said. “We have continued to focus on delivering sustainable returns to our shareholders while supporting our customers and communities.”
He added that the group’s digital transformation initiatives and disciplined cost control helped to cushion the impact of inflationary pressures and currency volatility on operations.
Operating expenses rose modestly by 22 per cent compared to last year, a pace slower than revenue growth, resulting in an improved cost-to-income ratio of 45 per cent, down from 52 per cent in the prior year.
Profit after tax stood at ₦124 billion, translating to an annualised return on equity (ROE) of 32 per cent — one of the highest in Nigeria’s banking industry.
The group’s total assets grew to ₦5.8 trillion, compared with ₦4.3 trillion in December 2024, while customer deposits rose by 34 per cent to ₦3.9 trillion, underscoring continued customer confidence in the brand.
Sogunle reaffirmed the group’s commitment to prudent capital management, adding that its capital adequacy ratio remains well above the regulatory minimum.
“We remain focused on maintaining a strong capital and liquidity position, which enables us to support our customers and create long-term value for all stakeholders,” he said.
Analysts say Stanbic IBTC’s performance reinforces its position as one of the most profitable and well-capitalised financial institutions in Nigeria, benefiting from a balanced business mix across banking, asset management, and insurance subsidiaries.
The bank’s strong top-line growth comes at a time when many lenders are contending with the impact of tighter monetary policy, high funding costs, and subdued consumer spending.
Market watchers note that Stanbic’s success in growing both interest and non-interest income reflects effective execution of its medium-term strategy, which emphasises customer-centric innovation, technology integration, and operational efficiency.
The lender has also continued to expand its wealth management and pension businesses, which together contribute a significant portion of group earnings. Its pension arm, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, remains the largest in Nigeria by assets under management.
With Nigeria’s monetary tightening expected to persist in the short term, Sogunle said the group would maintain a cautious but growth-oriented approach to risk and credit expansion, focusing on sectors with strong fundamentals.
“We will continue to support productive sectors of the economy, particularly manufacturing, infrastructure, and SMEs, while leveraging our strong digital capabilities to serve customers better,” he said.
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc is a member of the Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest banking group by assets. The company’s shares closed flat at ₦88.50 per share on the NGX yesterday, with analysts projecting further upside on the back of its strong earnings trajectory and attractive dividend outlook.
