Zenith Bank Boosts Gross Earnings by 41% in Q1

Zenith Bank Boosts Gross Earnings by 41% in Q1

Zenith Bank Plc.’s gross earnings spiked by 41% year on year in the first quarter of 2023, according to detail from its unaudited financial statement. In the period, gross earnings increased from ₦191.5 billion in Q1 2022 to ₦270 billion in Q1 2023, according to its financial scorecard released to the market.

The significant double-digit growth in the topline also boosted the bottom line, with the Group experiencing an impressive 27% year-on-year increase in Profit before Tax.  Zenith Bank’s pre-tax profit rose from ₦68 billion in Q1 2022 to ₦86.6 billion in Q1 2023.

The growth in the topline was propelled by substantial increases in both interest income and non-interest income. Interest income surged by 52% from ₦126.4 billion in Q1 2022 to ₦191.6 billion in Q1 2023.

Meanwhile, non-interest income expanded by 27% from ₦57.2 billion to ₦72.8 billion. The surge was attributed to the impact of risk asset repricing, while the increase in non-interest income primarily resulted from loan recoveries and foreign currency revaluation gains.

Regarding efficiency, the cost-to-income ratio improved from 55% to 53.4% in the current period, supported by a bolstered income line. The cost of risk also moderated from 0.8% to 0.7% during the same period due to an enlarged loan book.

However, the cost of funding doubled from 1.3% in Q1 2022 to 2.7% in Q1 2023, owing to a considerable spike in interest rates between both periods as interest expense grew from ₦25.8 billion in Q1 2022 to ₦70.8 billion in Q1 2023.

This impacted the net interest margin (NIM), which reduced from 7.3% to 6.9% over the same period. In the first three months in 2023, Zenith Bank’s total assets expanded by 9% from ₦12.29 trillion in December 2022 to ₦13.36 trillion.

The balance sheet expansion was primarily driven by growth in customer deposits and other funding sources, such as borrowings. In the period, customer deposits increased by 2% from ₦8.98 trillion in December 2022 to ₦9.14 trillion in March 2023.

Loans and advances also experienced marginal growth of 1% from ₦4.12 trillion in December 2022 to ₦4.15 trillion in March 2023 as customers continued to adjust to the full impact of higher rates on risk assets.

Both the capital adequacy and liquidity ratios remained robust at 19.5% and 72%, respectively, with both prudential ratios comfortably exceeding regulatory thresholds.

In 2023, the Group will maintain its focus on sustainable growth across all business segments as it restructures into a holding company, introduces new verticals to its businesses, and expands into new frontiers.

Overall, the financial service group saw its profit After Tax expanded by 13% from ₦58.2 billion to ₦66 billion during the same period. #Zenith Bank Boosts Gross Earnings by 41% in Q1 Naira Steadies as Banks Issue Update on FX Purchase