Sopuruchi Onwuka

Access Holdings Plc has announced its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, posting gross earnings of ₦3.9 trillion — a 14.1 percent increase from ₦3.4 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

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According to the Group, the performance was driven by sustained growth in both interest income and fees and commissions, underscoring the strength of its diversified earnings base and improved performance across its banking and non-banking businesses. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, gross earnings rose by 56.2 percent from ₦2.5 trillion as at half year (H1) 2025.

Interest income increased by 21.1 percent year-on-year to ₦2.9 trillion in Q3 2025 from ₦2.4 trillion in Q3 2024, while net interest income rose by 48.9 percent to ₦1.3 trillion from ₦845 billion. The growth was attributed to loan book expansion and a disciplined focus on high-yielding, quality assets aimed at strengthening portfolio returns.

Quarter-on-quarter, interest income and net interest income grew by 42.1 percent and 27.8 percent, respectively, from ₦2.0 trillion and ₦984 billion in H1 2025.

Net fee and commission income also surged 44.3 percent to ₦476 billion in Q3 2025 from ₦330 billion in Q3 2024, driven by higher transaction volumes and increased customer activity across digital and payment channels. Compared to the first half of the year, net fee and commission income doubled, rising 100.8 percent from ₦237 billion.

Although total non-interest income declined marginally by 8.1 percent to ₦872 billion from ₦984 billion in Q3 2024, growth momentum from core operations continued to support overall earnings. Operating income climbed 18.8 percent to ₦2.13 trillion from ₦1.8 trillion over the same period.

Impairment on loans rose by 141.5 percent to ₦350 billion in Q3 2025 from ₦145 billion a year earlier, while operating expenses grew modestly by 6.7 percent to ₦1.2 trillion from ₦1.1 trillion. The Group’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 54.6 percent in Q3 2025 from 60.8 percent in Q3 2024, reflecting stronger revenue growth and efficiency gains from ongoing cost optimization initiatives.

Profit before tax (PBT) rose 10.4 percent year-on-year to ₦616 billion in Q3 2025 from ₦558 billion in Q3 2024, while profit after tax (PAT) moderated slightly to ₦447 billion from ₦458 billion. Compared to the half-year results, however, profitability improved significantly, with PBT up 91.9 percent from ₦321 billion in H1 2025 and PAT up 107.9 percent from ₦215 billion.

Total assets grew by 25.8 percent to ₦52.0 trillion in Q3 2025 from ₦41.5 trillion at the end of 2024, supported by strong customer deposit growth, which rose 47 percent to ₦33.1 trillion from ₦22.5 trillion. Loans and advances also increased by 19.7 percent to ₦15.6 trillion from ₦13.0 trillion.

Access Holdings attributed the strong performance largely to its non-Nigerian subsidiaries, which contributed more than half of consolidated results. These subsidiaries continued to deliver robust growth across key metrics, underscoring the benefits of diversification and a deepening franchise presence across African markets. The Group noted that Nigerian operations underperformed due to challenging macroeconomic conditions, inflationary pressures, and regulatory adjustments, but its diversified structure provided stability and resilience.

Return on average equity (ROAE) stood at 15.4 percent in Q3 2025, down from 22.2 percent in Q3 2024, while return on average assets (ROAA) moderated to 1.3 percent from 1.8 percent. The cost-to-income ratio (CIR) improved to 54.6 percent from 60.8 percent.

Looking ahead, Access Holdings said it will continue to strengthen its franchise across all markets, deepen operational resilience, and create sustainable value for stakeholders.