Fidelity Bank Plc strengthened its liquidity position in the 2025 financial year as cash and cash equivalents rose by 87 per cent to ₦1.32 trillion, reflecting improved cash buffers, stronger deposit mobilisation and growth in interest-earning assets.

The bank’s audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2025, showed that cash and cash equivalents increased from ₦707.45 billion recorded in 2024, highlighting a stronger liquidity profile despite Nigeria’s tight monetary environment.

Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria also rose by 4.1 per cent to ₦1.65 trillion from ₦1.59 trillion in the previous year.

The improved liquidity position was supported by strong growth in customer deposits, which increased by 16.1 per cent to ₦6.89 trillion from ₦5.94 trillion, indicating sustained customer confidence and expansion in the bank’s funding base.

Total assets grew by 18.6 per cent to ₦10.46 trillion from ₦8.82 trillion, driven largely 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 ₦1.52 trillion from ₦1.04 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 ₦1.11 trillion, while net interest income climbed by 32 per cent to ₦831.35 billion.

Fidelity Bank also recorded improvement in its credit risk position as credit loss expense declined significantly to ₦21.61 billion from ₦56.44 billion recorded in the previous year. This contributed to a 41.2 per cent increase in net interest income after credit losses to ₦809.74 billion.

Non-interest income performance remained strong during the year, with fee and commission income rising by 44.7 per cent to ₦113.36 billion.

Foreign currency revaluation gains surged to ₦99.58 billion from ₦11.72 billion recorded in 2024, further boosting earnings performance.

The lender also expanded its investment portfolio as debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income increased by 199 per cent to ₦557.78 billion, while debt instruments at amortised cost rose by 27.2 per cent to ₦1.97 trillion.

Shareholders’ funds crossed the ₦1 trillion mark during the year as total equity increased by 21.1 per cent to ₦1.09 trillion from ₦897.87 billion.

The bank’s statutory reserves rose by 32.7 per cent, while non-distributable regulatory reserves increased by 92.5 per cent.

On the Nigerian stock market, Fidelity Bank began the year with a share price of ₦19.00 and closed at ₦21.9 on Monday, representing a 15.3 per cent year-to-date gain on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

The bank is currently ranked as the 25th most valuable stock on the NGX, with a market capitalisation of approximately ₦1.1 trillion.