Fidelity Bank Liquidity Surpasses N1tn As Cash Holdings Jump 87% In 2025
Rashidat Okunlade Writes
Fidelity Bank strengthened its liquidity position in the 2025 financial year, with cash and cash equivalents rising by 87 per cent to N1.32 trillion, driven by stronger cash buffers, sustained deposit mobilisation and growth in interest-earning assets.
According to the bank’s audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents increased from N707.45 billion recorded in 2024, reflecting a significantly improved liquidity profile despite Nigeria’s tight monetary environment.
Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria also rose by 4.1 per cent to N1.65 trillion in 2025 from N1.59 trillion in the previous year.
The improved liquidity position coincided with strong growth in customer deposits, which increased by 16.1 per cent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion, highlighting sustained customer confidence and an expanding funding base.
The bank’s total assets grew by 18.6 per cent to N10.46 trillion from N8.82 trillion, supported by increases in investment securities, liquid assets and other financial instruments.
Analysis of the lender’s earnings performance showed that gross earnings rose by 45.6 per cent to N1.52 trillion from N1.04 trillion in 2024, buoyed by higher interest income and gains from foreign exchange transactions.
Interest and similar income increased by 38.7 per cent to N1.11 trillion, while net interest income climbed by 32 per cent to N831.35 billion.
Fidelity Bank also recorded an improvement in its credit risk position as credit loss expenses declined significantly to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion in the previous year. The reduction contributed to a 41.2 per cent increase in net interest income after credit losses, which rose to N809.74 billion.
Non-interest income performance remained strong during the period, with fee and commission income rising by 44.7 per cent to N113.36 billion. Foreign currency revaluation gains also surged to N99.58 billion from N11.72 billion recorded in 2024.
The bank further expanded its investment portfolio, with debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) increasing by 199 per cent to N557.78 billion. Debt instruments measured at amortised cost also grew by 27.2 per cent to N1.97 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds crossed the N1 trillion threshold as total equity rose by 21.1 per cent to N1.09 trillion from N897.87 billion. Statutory reserves increased by 32.7 per cent, while non-distributable regulatory reserves climbed by 92.5 per cent.
On the capital market, Fidelity Bank’s share price opened the year at N19.00 and closed at N21.90 on Monday, representing a year-to-date gain of 15.3 per cent on the Nigerian Exchange Group.
The lender is currently ranked as the 25th most valuable stock on the NGX, with a market capitalisation of approximately N1.1 trillion, accounting for about 0.686 per cent of the Nigerian equities market.
