Nigeria’s banking giants, Zenith Bank and GTCO, quietly pulled in a massive ₦283.7 billion in 2025, driven largely by account maintenance charges and digital banking transactions, according to their latest filings with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).
A fresh look at their audited results shows how both lenders are increasingly turning everyday banking activities – like transfers, ATM use, and online payments – into a steady stream of income as digital banking continues to dominate customer behaviour.
The financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2025 reveal a sharp rise in fee-based earnings as more Nigerians rely on mobile apps, USSD platforms, card payments, and online transfers for daily transactions.
With fewer customers visiting physical bank branches, these transaction-based fees have become a key revenue cushion for banks navigating inflation and interest rate pressures.
Breaking down the numbers, Zenith Bank recorded ₦91.95 billion from account maintenance fees, up 26.1% from the previous year, while its electronic banking income climbed to ₦89.13 billion. GTCO, on its part, posted ₦37.92 billion from account maintenance and ₦64.72 billion from e-banking services.
Altogether, both banks generated ₦129.87 billion from account maintenance charges and ₦153.85 billion from digital banking services – bringing the combined total to ₦283.7 billion.
The trend highlights how deeper financial inclusion and Nigeria’s growing digital economy are reshaping bank earnings, with fintech investments also playing a major role in improving service delivery and expanding revenue streams.
Despite regulatory pressures, including the CBN forbearance directive during the period, both lenders still delivered strong full-year results and rewarded shareholders with impressive dividends.
Zenith Bank reported a profit before tax of ₦1.26 trillion, while GTCO posted ₦1.23 trillion, underscoring their continued dominance in Nigeria’s financial sector.
