Zenith Bank and Access Holdings are the only Tier 1 banks that have crossed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion capital mark. This threshold is required for banks with international licences, and it’s part of the recapitalisation deadline ending March 2026.
According to a new report from Proshare, Zenith leads with N614.65 billion in share capital and premium. Access Holdings follows closely at N594.90 billion. The rest are still catching up. Ecobank Transnational has N353.51 billion, and Guaranty Trust Holding trails at N345.30 billion.
The report points to a shift in the pecking order. Ecobank, thanks to its strong performance in francophone West Africa, has taken the top spot in asset growth. It grew by over 67 percent. That’s ahead of everyone else, including Zenith.
Fidelity Bank might return to Tier 1 by the end of 2025. This is despite a recent N225 billion Supreme Court ruling related to its acquisition of FSB International Bank. Analysts say it will need to manage its liquidity carefully, but the return is possible.
The recapitalisation push is happening in a new era of banking. Customers expect more personal and digital-first services. Banks are no longer just chasing size. They are also focusing on speed, flexibility, and customisation.
Asset growth is now a key performance marker. Ecobank, Wema Bank, FCMB, FirstHoldco, and AccessCorp make up the top five in that category.
Still, the report warns about rising non-performing loans and the underuse of off-balance sheet transactions, which are common in global banking but lagging in Nigeria.
Despite short-term pressure on profits, the long-term outlook is positive. Most banks are making visible progress. A few are behind, but with the March 2026 deadline in view, the race is clearly on.
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