Fidelity Bank strengthened its liquidity position in the 2025 financial year as cash and cash equivalents rose by 87 per cent to N1.32 trillion, reflecting improved cash buffers, stronger deposit mobilisation, and growth in interest-earning assets.
The lender’s audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2025, showed that cash and cash equivalents increased from N707.45 billion in 2024, underscoring the bank’s stronger liquidity profile amid Nigeria’s tight monetary environment.
Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also increased by 4.1 per cent to N1.65 trillion in 2025 from N1.59 trillion in the previous year.
The improved liquidity position came as Fidelity Bank recorded strong growth in customer deposits, which rose by 16.1 per cent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion, indicating sustained customer confidence and expansion in the bank’s funding base.
The bank’s total assets also expanded by 18.6 per cent to N10.46 trillion from N8.82 trillion, driven by increases in investment securities, liquid assets, and other financial instruments.
Analysis of the bank’s earnings performance showed that gross earnings rose by 45.6 per cent to N1.52 trillion from N1.04 trillion in 2024, supported by growth in interest income and foreign exchange-related gains. Interest and similar income increased by 38.7 per cent to N1.11 trillion, while net interest income rose by 32 per cent to N831.35 billion.
The bank also improved its credit risk position during the year as credit loss expense moderated significantly to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion in the previous year. This contributed to a 41.2 per cent increase in net interest income after credit losses to N809.74 billion.
Non-interest income performance remained strong, with fee and commission income rising by 44.7 per cent to N113.36 billion. Foreign currency revaluation gains surged to N99.58 billion from N11.72 billion recorded in 2024.
The bank also expanded its investment portfolio during the year. Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) rose by 199 per cent to N557.78 billion, while debt instruments at amortised cost increased by 27.2 per cent to N1.97 trillion.
Fidelity Bank’s shareholders’ funds crossed the N1 trillion mark during the year as total equity increased by 21.1 per cent to N1.09 trillion from N897.87 billion. Statutory reserves rose by 32.7 per cent, while non-distributable regulatory reserves climbed by 92.5 per cent.
Fidelity began the year with a share price of N19.00 and closed at N21.9 on Monday, gaining 15.3 per cent year-to-date on the NGX.
The bank is currently the 25th most valuable stock on the NGX with a market capitalisation of N1.1 trillion, which is about 0.686 per cent of the Nigerian Stock Exchange equity market.
