– Insiders Increase Equity Stakes Amid Strong Growth
Fidelity Bank Plc has added N1.63 trillion to its asset base within three months, further strengthening its position among the seven largest banks in Nigeria by total assets.
Regulatory filings approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) confirm Fidelity Bank’s status as one of the fastest-growing and most resilient banks in Nigeria. The bank’s total assets rose from N8.82 trillion as of December 31, 2024, to N10.45 trillion by March 31, 2025.
This performance highlights the bank’s reputation as a preferred banking brand, supported by strong growth in customer deposits. Deposits grew from N5.94 trillion in December 2024 to N6.6 trillion in Q1 2025, driven largely by a 92.2% contribution from low-cost deposits, which now total N6.1 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds increased from N897.87 billion to N933.14 billion within the same period, largely due to significant improvements in profitability.
Investment experts attribute the growing positive sentiment around Fidelity Bank to its robust asset base and profitability, two critical indicators of long-term sustainability for financial institutions.
In a study titled "Balance Sheet Strength and Bank Lending During the Global Financial Crisis," researchers at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised the importance of strong bank balance sheets. According to the report, “Banks with strong balance sheets were better able to maintain lending during the crisis… Higher and better-quality capital mitigated the negative effects of market funding dependence. Our findings support the regulatory measures outlined in the Basel III framework.”
Fidelity Bank continues to be one of the most attractive equities on the NGX, outperforming both the broader market and the banking sector in terms of return on investment.
The bank’s share price opened this week with a year-to-date return of 18.86%—more than double the 8.24% average return of the NGX Banking Index and nearly triple the 6.59% average return of the NGX All-Share Index (ASI).
Analysts note that Fidelity Bank remains one of the most actively traded stocks, buoyed by strong investor confidence. This week, a top director of the bank acquired shares worth over N366 million, increasing their equity stake in the institution—a move viewed as a strategic positioning based on the bank’s growth trajectory.
According to NGX regulations, insiders—including directors and staff—are permitted to trade in a company’s shares, provided such trades are disclosed and not executed during “closed periods,” which precede the release of sensitive financial information.
Fidelity Bank reported a 167.8% surge in pre-tax profit, reaching N106 billion in Q1 2025, signalling strong momentum for the year. The interim report for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, also shows a 64.2% increase in gross earnings, from N192.1 billion in Q1 2024 to N315.4 billion.
The growth in interest income was driven by a 38.6% expansion in earning assets, while non-interest revenue benefited from foreign exchange gains, trade, and commissions on banking services.
With its remarkable first-quarter performance and strong market presence, Fidelity Bank continues to reinforce stakeholder confidence and solidify its reputation as a leading player in Nigeria’s financial services industry.