Sterling Financial Holdings sustains record growth, deepens capital as assets cross N4 trillion mark in Q1 2026

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc (“Sterling Financial” or “the Group”) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, alongside its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, delivering strong earnings growth, balance sheet expansion, and improved capital strength across the Group.

According to a statement by the Group CFO of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, Adebimpe Olambiwonnu, gross earnings for FY2025 increased by 44.4% to N486.8 billion, representing the strongest performance in the Group’s modern history. Profit before tax rose by 89.2% to N86.8 billion, while profit after tax increased by 74.8% to N76.3 billion.

The Group’s balance sheet also strengthened significantly during the year. Total assets reached N3.91 trillion, customer deposits grew to N2.98 trillion, and loans and advances closed at N1.41 trillion, while shareholders’ funds expanded by 40.5% to N428.7 billion.

Sterling Financial sustained this momentum into the first quarter of 2026, with total assets crossing the ₦4 trillion threshold for the first time, reaching N4.07 trillion.

Gross earnings for Q1 2026 rose by 41.6% year-on-year to N134.8 billion, supported by a 36.8% increase in net interest income to N64.9 billion.

Operating income reached N93.4 billion during the quarter, while profit before tax increased by 52.8% to N27.9 billion and profit after tax rose to N23.4 billion. Shareholders’ funds strengthened further to N542.5 billion following the successful completion of the Group’s recapitalisation programme.

Commenting on the Group’s performance, Yemi Odubiyi, Group Managing Director of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, said:

“Our FY2025 and Q1 2026 results reflect continued growth across the Group’s core businesses, supported by disciplined execution, improved operating efficiency, and a strengthened capital position.

“The successful completion of our recapitalisation programme positions the Group for the next phase of growth across our commercial banking, non-interest banking, and wealth-management businesses. We remain focused on sustaining growth, strengthening our balance sheet, and delivering long-term value across our diversified platform.”

This period represents an important phase in Sterling Financial’s evolution, as the continued growth of Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank, alongside the expansion of SterlingFI Wealth Management, positions the Group to compete across multiple segments under a unified Group structure and shared strategic agenda.

The Group enters the rest of 2026 with stronger capital, expanded operating capacity, and continued momentum across its banking and wealth-management businesses.

About Sterling Financial Holdings Company

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc (Sterling Financial) is a leading Nigerian financial services group committed to enriching lives through innovation and impact. Its diversified portfolio includes Sterling Bank Limited, The Alternative Bank Limited, and SterlingFI Wealth Management, among other businesses.

As a holding company, Sterling provides strategic direction, governance, and shared capabilities across its subsidiaries, enabling each to focus on its core mandate while benefiting from group-wide expertise, technology, and oversight.

With a heritage of trust built over six decades, Sterling Financial is committed to financial innovation, advancing inclusion, and shaping sustainable growth in Nigeria’s economy. The Group continues to champion customer-focused solutions and socially responsible initiatives while creating long-term value for shareholders, employees, and the communities it serves.

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc (“Sterling Financial” or “the Group”) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, alongside its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, delivering strong earnings growth, balance sheet expansion, and improved capital strength across the Group.

According to a statement by the Group CFO of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, Adebimpe Olambiwonnu, gross earnings for FY2025 increased by 44.4% to N486.8 billion, representing the strongest performance in the Group’s modern history. Profit before tax rose by 89.2% to N86.8 billion, while profit after tax increased by 74.8% to N76.3 billion.

The Group’s balance sheet also strengthened significantly during the year. Total assets reached N3.91 trillion, customer deposits grew to N2.98 trillion, and loans and advances closed at N1.41 trillion, while shareholders’ funds expanded by 40.5% to N428.7 billion.

Sterling Financial sustained this momentum into the first quarter of 2026, with total assets crossing the ₦4 trillion threshold for the first time, reaching N4.07 trillion.

Gross earnings for Q1 2026 rose by 41.6% year-on-year to N134.8 billion, supported by a 36.8% increase in net interest income to N64.9 billion.

Operating income reached N93.4 billion during the quarter, while profit before tax increased by 52.8% to N27.9 billion and profit after tax rose to N23.4 billion. Shareholders’ funds strengthened further to N542.5 billion following the successful completion of the Group’s recapitalisation programme.

Commenting on the Group’s performance, Yemi Odubiyi, Group Managing Director of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, said:

“Our FY2025 and Q1 2026 results reflect continued growth across the Group’s core businesses, supported by disciplined execution, improved operating efficiency, and a strengthened capital position.

“The successful completion of our recapitalisation programme positions the Group for the next phase of growth across our commercial banking, non-interest banking, and wealth-management businesses. We remain focused on sustaining growth, strengthening our balance sheet, and delivering long-term value across our diversified platform.”

This period represents an important phase in Sterling Financial’s evolution, as the continued growth of Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank, alongside the expansion of SterlingFI Wealth Management, positions the Group to compete across multiple segments under a unified Group structure and shared strategic agenda.

The Group enters the rest of 2026 with stronger capital, expanded operating capacity, and continued momentum across its banking and wealth-management businesses.

About Sterling Financial Holdings Company

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc (Sterling Financial) is a leading Nigerian financial services group committed to enriching lives through innovation and impact. Its diversified portfolio includes Sterling Bank Limited, The Alternative Bank Limited, and SterlingFI Wealth Management, among other businesses.

As a holding company, Sterling provides strategic direction, governance, and shared capabilities across its subsidiaries, enabling each to focus on its core mandate while benefiting from group-wide expertise, technology, and oversight.

With a heritage of trust built over six decades, Sterling Financial is committed to financial innovation, advancing inclusion, and shaping sustainable growth in Nigeria’s economy. The Group continues to champion customer-focused solutions and socially responsible initiatives while creating long-term value for shareholders, employees, and the communities it serves.