Business
ZENITH BANK Grows Gross Earnings By 24% To N945.5 Billion In 2022

ZENITH BANK Grows Gross Earnings By 24% To N945.5 Billion In 2022
Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the year ending December 31, 2022, achieving an impressive double-digit growth of 24% in gross earnings from NGN765.6 billion reported in the previous year to NGN945.5 billion in 2022. This is despite the persistent challenging macroeconomic environment and headwinds.
According to the audited financial results for the 2022 financial year presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the double-digit growth in gross earnings was driven by a 26% year-on-year (YoY) growth in interest income from NGN427.6 billion to N540.2 billion and a 23% year-on-year (YoY) growth in non-interest income from NGN309 billion to NGN381 billion. Profit before tax also grew by 2% from NGN280.4 billion to NGN284.7 billion in the current year. The increase in profit before tax was due to the significant growth in all the income lines.
Impairments grew by 107% from NGN59.9 billion to NGN124.2 billion, while interest expense grew 63% YoY from N106.8 billion to N173.5 billion, respectively. The impairment growth, which also resulted in an increase in the cost of risk (from 1.9% in 2021 to 3.3% in the current year), was due to the impact of Ghana’s sovereign debt restructuring programme. The growth in interest expense increased the cost of funds from 1.5% in 2021 to 1.9% in 2022 due to hikes in interest rates globally.
Customer deposits increased by 39%, growing from NGN6.47 trillion in the previous year to NGN8.98 trillion in the current year. The growth in customer deposits came from all products and deposit segments (corporate and retail), thus consolidating the bank’s market leadership and indicating customers’ trust.
The continued elevated yield environment positively impacted the bank’s Net-Interest-Margin (NIM), which grew from 6.7% to 7.2% due to an effective repricing of interest-bearing assets. Operating expenses grew by 17% YoY, but growth remains below the inflation rate. Total assets increased by 30%, growing from NGN9.45 trillion in 2021 to NGN12.29 trillion, mainly driven by growth in customer deposits. With the steady and continued recovery in economic activities, the Group prudently grew its gross loans by 20%, from NGN3.5 trillion in 2021 to NGN4.1 trillion in 2022, which increased the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio modestly from 4.2% to 4.3% YoY. The capital adequacy ratio decreased from 21% to 19%, while the liquidity ratio improved from 71.2% to 75%. Both prudential ratios are well above regulatory thresholds.
In 2023, the Group intends to expand its frontiers as it also reorganises into a holding company structure, adding new verticals to its businesses and growing in all its chosen markets, both locally and internationally.
As a testament to its commitment to shareholders, the bank has announced a proposed final dividend payout of N2.90 per share, bringing the total dividend to N3.20 per share.
In recognition of its track record of excellent performances, Zenith Bank was recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Most Innovative Bank of the Year 2019 by Tribune Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2020 by Independent Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.
Business
Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Gets National Award

Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Gets National Award
The Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank PLC, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has been listed amongst the recipients of the 2023 national awards.
NaijaNews reports that according to the 2023 national awards list released by the Federal Government last weekend, Onyeali-Ikpe would be conferred with the award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON.
The list also includes prominent names such as Emeka Anyaoku, First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, Co-Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dr. Awele Elumelu; President of Transcorp Group, and Dr. Owen Omogiafo among others.
Also, former Governor of Osun, Bisi Akande; Olusegun Osoba; Mamman Daura, and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, among others received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.
The OON award comes to join a list of recognitions Onyeali-Ikpe has received recently. It would be recalled that she bagged the awards of the Banker of the Year 2022 at the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022 earlier in May, the Banker of the Year 2022 at the 14th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in January 2023 as well as the Best Banking CEO Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards in April 2023.
She was also recognized as one of the top 10 female finalists in the Africa.com Definitive List of Women Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).
Onyeali-Ikpe joined Fidelity Bank as an Executive Director in 2015 and was appointed Managing Director/CEO of the Bank in January 2021.
Following her appointment, Onyeali-Ikpe became the first female MD/CEO in the history of the bank and one out of six other female CEOs in the industry.
Under Onyeali-Ikpe’s watch, Fidelity Bank grew its PBT from N25.22 billion in 2021 to N53.68 billion in 2022.
Furthermore, she guided the bank to obtain the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria to expand its operations to the United Kingdom.
Business
Zenith Bank Wins ‘Best Corporate Governance Financial Services’ in Africa Award for the Fourth Consecutive Time

Zenith Bank Wins ‘Best Corporate Governance Financial Services’ in Africa Award for the Fourth Consecutive Time
For the fourth consecutive year, Zenith Bank Plc has been named the Best Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom. The award, which was published in the Spring 2023 edition of The Ethical Boardroom magazine, is in recognition of the bank’s adherence to global best practices and institutionalization of corporate governance, setting an industry-wide example of best practices in that field.
Speaking on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “I am extremely pleased that Zenith Bank has been awarded the Ethical Boardroom Corporate Governance award as a regional governance champion for the fourth year running. No doubt, the bank’s board has pioneered the exemplary governance culture for which we are now renowned.
“Indeed, this recognition reflects our steadfast commitment, discipline and high ethos in the conduct of our business and dedication to the principles of good corporate governance. This award will motivate us to strengthen this culture internally and advocate for good governance at every forum”.
He dedicated the award to the Founder and Group Chairman of the bank Jim Ovia, for providing the template for an enduring and very successful institution; the Board for their vision and outstanding leadership; the staff for their dedication and commitment; and the bank’s customers for their unwavering loyalty to the brand.
Ethical Boardroom is a trailblazing and leading international magazine that delivers in-depth coverage and critically-astute analysis of global corporate governance issues to help boards stay ahead of the governance curve.
Zenith Bank has been generally adjudged a Corporate Governance compliant bank by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) hence it’s listing on the Premium Board of the Exchange. The bank continues to sustain this reputation and reappraise its processes to ensure that its business conforms to the highest global standards at all times.
The bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn it numerous awards including being recognized as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year awards 2020 and 2022.
State of the States: Lagos
Business
FirstBank Donates Modern Healthcare Centre To Lagos Community

FirstBank Donates Modern Healthcare Centre To Lagos Community
The commissioned Primary Healthcare Centre sponsored by FirstBank to the Ijeododo Community, Lagos.
…Over 10,000 residents to benefit from new primary healthcare centre

L-R: Hon. Ayodele Thomas, Vice Chairman, Iba Local Council Development Area; High Chief Jelili Ododo, Baale of Ijeododo land; Mrs. Tolani Oshodi, Permanent Secretary, Office of Secretary to the State Government/Cabinet Office; Mrs. Folasade Jaji, Secretary to the State Government and representative of the Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Seyi Oyefeso representing the CEO of FirstBank; Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board at the commissioning of the Primary Healthcare Centre sponsored by FirstBank to the Ijeododo Community, Lagos.
In a bid to boost healthcare delivery to thousands of residents, the Lagos State Government has built and unveiled a new Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ije-Ododo Community, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), under the Ojo Council Area of the state.
The facility, which has been under construction since 2021 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was unveiled in the community in an opening ceremony attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representatives of the state government, the state Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, as well as traditional rulers of Iba, Ije-Ododo and Ijagemo, among others.
In his welcome address, the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the opening of the health facility under the SSG’s One Community At A Time (OCAAT) initiative, formed part of activities to herald the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Maintaining that the attention being paid to the healthcare sector was deliberate to ensure a healthier populace, he said the state government under his watch would deploy more resources to the health sector for easier access to health services, especially in underserved communities.
He enjoined members of the community to take full advantage of the health benefits that will be provided in the facility and charged them to take ownership and protect the assets and the facility at all times.
Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the contractor for completing the project within the stipulated time frame, but also requested more assistance to make the facility functional by providing equipment and other necessary medical gadgets.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project, adding that it was gratifying to know that no fewer than 10,000 residents of Ije-Ododo and neighbouring communities will have access to primary healthcare services in the facility.
He said as a responsible corporate social organisation, the bank’s intervention in the primary healthcare sector aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach anchored on citizenship, impact management, strategic education, as well as the health and welfare of the immediate and remote communities of Lagos State and other parts of the country.
In his words: “The completion and opening of the primary healthcare centre is to ensure that Ije-Ododo community will become healthier and wealthier since health is wealth.”
In his goodwill message, the Baale of Ije-Ododo, Dr. Abu Jelili Ododo, who spoke in company of the Oba of Iba and Baale of Ijagemo, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the timely completion of the healthcare centre and appealed for the construction of the Ijegun-Ije-Ododo-Abule-Ado road to link the Badagry Expressway, adding that it was high time the Ije-Ododo Community was provided with a motorable road to ease the sufferings of residents.
Responding to the request for the road, Jaji assured that the Lagos State government under Sanwo-Olu was poised to build the road but that the project suffered some setback due to agitations by some members of the community over the location of the project, adding however, that as soon as the governor settles down for his second tenure, construction work will begin on the road.
By Edu Abade
-
News7 months ago
What Led Us To Choose Peter Obi As Our Candidate?-Middlebelt Forum
-
News8 months ago
Happy 62nd Anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence!
-
News3 months ago
David Alaba racially abused online after voting for Lionel Messi over his Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema at the FIFA Best awards
-
Politics3 months ago
Labour Party Wins Enugu Polls
-
News4 months ago
Naija News: CBN Extends Deadline For Use Of Old Naira Notes
-
Entertainment4 months ago
Naija News: Whitemoney Breaks Heart, Unveils New Lover (Video)
-
News3 months ago
Ivorian Defender Moustapha Sylla Dies At 21
-
News3 months ago
Peter Obi calls for calm after being spotted at Asaba Airport on Tuesday after Saturday’s presidential election