Zenith Bank Raises Interim Dividend by 20% Amid Profit Decline

Zenith Bank Plc reported its audited half-year results for the period ended June 2026, revealing a 20 per cent increase in interim dividend to N1.50 per share. Despite this, profit after tax fell to N430.76 billion from N532.18 billion, and gross earnings declined by 24.63 per cent to N1.90 trillion.

Profit before tax rose marginally by 1.91 per cent to N637.60 billion from N625.63 billion in H1 2025. The bank's performance was supported by a 39.60 per cent increase in net fee and commission income to N178.77 billion, countering a significant decline in trading income, which shifted from a gain of N467.79 billion in H1 2025 to a loss of N92.24 billion.

Non-interest income fell by 74.20 per cent to N158.16 billion, while net interest income decreased by 7.41 per cent to N1.25 trillion. Tax expenses more than doubled to N206.84 billion, impacting profit after tax despite the slight improvement in pre-tax earnings.