Zenith Bank retains top spot for 16th Year in global rankings

Zenith Bank Plc has once again affirmed its dominance in Nigeria’s banking sector, emerging as the Number One Bank in the country by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth year in a row, according to the prestigious 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings published by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group, United Kingdom.

The rankings, featured in the July 2025 edition of The Banker, placed Zenith Bank at the 581st position globally, with a Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion.

This annual global benchmark evaluates banks based on their Tier-1 capital at the end of the preceding financial year — in this case, 2024 — which is widely regarded by regulators and financial institutions as the key indicator of a bank’s financial strength.

Tier-1 Capital comprises the core capital held in a bank’s reserves, including common stock, disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and minority interests. It serves as a critical cushion against financial stress and reflects a bank’s capacity to absorb losses, thereby instilling confidence among investors, regulators, and customers.

Commenting on the achievement, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, expressed pride in the bank’s sustained leadership.

“We are thrilled to have retained our position yet again as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital for the 16th consecutive year,” she said.

“This achievement is a reflection of the bank’s robust financial performance, prudent risk management and steadfast dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Umeoji paid tribute to the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, crediting his visionary and transformative leadership for laying the foundation of a resilient and thriving institution.

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She also extended her appreciation to the bank’s loyal customers, the Board for its sound corporate governance, and the staff for their relentless commitment to excellence.

The bank’s outstanding global ranking is underscored by its impressive 2024 financial results. According to its audited report filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Zenith Bank posted a remarkable 86% year-on-year growth in gross earnings, rising from ₦2.13 trillion in 2023 to ₦3.97 trillion in 2024.

This surge was largely fueled by a 138% increase in interest income, driven by strategic investments in high-yield government securities and expansion of its loan book. Profit Before Tax (PBT) also climbed significantly by 67%, reaching ₦1.3 trillion in 2024, up from ₦796 billion the previous year.

In recognition of this strong performance, the bank declared a historic total dividend payout of N195.67 billion, translating to N5.00 per ordinary share — the highest in its history.

Zenith Bank’s consistency and innovation have earned it numerous accolades over the years. It has been named Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022, and 2024. It was also recognised as Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance in 2020–2022, 2024, and again in 2025.

Further affirming its leadership in digital banking and sustainability, Zenith Bank won Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards in 2023, and was listed among the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in the same year.

Zenith Bank’s continued recognition on the global stage cements its status not only as Nigeria’s foremost financial institution but also as a major player in the international banking arena.