Fidelity Bank Strengthens Liquidity Position as Cash Reserves Surge to N1.32tn in 2025
Fidelity Bank has significantly strengthened its liquidity position in the 2025 financial year, with cash and cash equivalents rising by 87 per cent to N1.32 trillion, reflecting stronger cash buffers, improved deposit mobilisation, and sustained 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 sharply from N707.45 billion recorded in 2024, underscoring the lender’s enhanced liquidity profile despite the challenging monetary environment in Nigeria.
The bank’s restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria also recorded an increase during the review period, climbing by 4.1 per cent to N1.65 trillion from N1.59 trillion in the previous year.
The improved liquidity performance came on the back of robust customer deposit growth, as deposits rose by 16.1 per cent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion in 2024. The increase highlighted sustained customer confidence in the institution and an expansion in its funding base.
Fidelity Bank also posted strong balance sheet growth, with total assets rising by 18.6 per cent to N10.46 trillion from N8.82 trillion. The growth was largely driven by higher investment securities holdings, liquid assets, and other financial instruments.
Further analysis of the lender’s earnings performance showed that gross earnings increased by 45.6 per cent to N1.52 trillion, compared to N1.04 trillion recorded in the preceding year.
The growth was supported by a significant rise in interest income as well as gains from foreign exchange-related transactions.
Interest and similar income rose by 38.7 per cent to N1.11 trillion, while net interest income climbed by 32 per cent to N831.35 billion during the period under review.
The bank also recorded improvements in its credit risk management, as credit loss expenses moderated considerably to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion in 2024. This development 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 throughout the year. Fee and commission income increased by 44.7 per cent to N113.36 billion, while foreign currency revaluation gains surged dramatically to N99.58 billion from N11.72 billion posted in the previous year.
In addition, Fidelity Bank expanded its investment portfolio significantly during the financial year. Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income rose by 199 per cent to N557.78 billion, while debt instruments measured at amortised cost increased by 27.2 per cent to N1.97 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds also crossed the N1 trillion threshold as total equity grew 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 increased sharply by 92.5 per cent.
On the Nigerian equities 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 bank 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 equity market.
