Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has released its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, reporting solid performance driven by sustained growth in its core banking and non-banking businesses.
The Group posted a profit before tax of ₦1.23 trillion, supported by a 23.2% increase in interest income and a 25.9% rise in fee income year-on-year. The result highlights GTCO’s ability to generate resilient and sustainable earnings, even as it builds on the exceptional 2024 performance, which was boosted by one-off fair value gains that did not recur in 2025.
Profit after tax stood at ₦865.75 billion, compared to ₦1.02 trillion in 2024. The decline reflects the impact of recent fiscal policy changes, particularly the introduction of withholding tax on short-term investment securities. However, underlying earnings remained strong, driven by consistent growth in core operating income.
GTCO maintained a robust and diversified balance sheet across its banking, payments, pension, and asset management businesses. Total assets rose to ₦17.8 trillion, while shareholders’ funds closed at ₦3.4 trillion.
Asset quality improved during the year, with IFRS Stage 3 loans declining to 3.4% at the Bank level and 5.0% at the Group level. Cost of risk also dropped significantly to 2.2% from 4.9% in 2024. Net loans grew by 12.4% to ₦3.13 trillion, while deposits increased by 23.8% to ₦12.87 trillion.
The Group’s Capital Adequacy Ratio remained exceptionally strong at 43.8%, reinforcing its capacity to support future growth. GTCO also delivered strong profitability metrics, including a return on equity of 28.3%, return on assets of 5.3%, and a cost-to-income ratio of 27.9%—among the best in the Nigerian financial services industry.
In line with its strong earnings performance, the Group declared a record dividend of ₦12.76 per share, underscoring its commitment to delivering superior shareholder returns.
Commenting on the results, Group CEO Segun Agbaje said the performance reflects the resilience of GTCO’s business model and the strength of its execution strategy.
“Our 2025 results demonstrate the depth and sustainability of our earnings capacity. Despite a more challenging operating environment, we achieved strong core income growth across our banking and ecosystem businesses. This performance supports our ability to consistently deliver value to shareholders, as reflected in our record dividend payout,” he said.
He added that the Group will continue to focus on innovation, ecosystem expansion, and delivering high-quality earnings to drive long-term value.
GTCO Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom, offering a broad range of banking and non-banking services, including payments, asset management, and pension administration. The Group is widely recognized for its strong governance, innovative solutions, and customer-focused approach.
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