Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the country’s number one bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year, according to the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Ranking published by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group, UK. The latest ranking places Zenith Bank 581st globally with a Tier-1 capital of $2 billion.
The annual ranking, featured in the July 2025 edition of The Banker, is based on banks’ 2024 year-end Tier-1 capital—widely regarded as the primary benchmark for evaluating banks’ financial strength by global regulatory and investment institutions.
Commenting on the milestone, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “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. 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.”
She attributed the bank’s sustained success to visionary leadership and institutional values: “I sincerely thank our Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary and transformative leadership which has played a pivotal role in cultivating a resilient and thriving institution.”
Dr. Umeoji also acknowledged the contributions of the bank’s stakeholders:
“I also express my deepest appreciation to our esteemed customers for their continued loyalty to the Zenith brand, to our Board for sound corporate governance, and to our staff for their relentless and tireless efforts in ensuring the bank’s success.”
Tier-1 Capital, as defined by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), includes key components such as common stock, retained earnings, disclosed reserves, and minority interests in subsidiaries. A strong Tier-1 ratio signifies a bank’s capital adequacy and financial resilience, reassuring both investors and depositors of its stability.
Zenith Bank’s impressive financial performance for the 2024 financial year, as reflected in its audited results submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), underscores its top-tier status.
The bank posted a remarkable 86% year-on-year growth in gross earnings, rising from N2.13 trillion in 2023 to N3.97 trillion in 2024. This surge was driven primarily by a 138% increase in interest income, supported by investments in high-yield government securities and significant growth in its loan portfolio.
Profit before tax (PBT) also rose sharply by 67%, climbing from N796 billion in 2023 to N1.3 trillion in 2024. As a result of this stellar performance, shareholders received a record dividend payout of N195.67 billion, representing N5.00 per ordinary share.
Zenith Bank’s consistent excellence has earned it numerous prestigious accolades in recent years. These include Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards (2020, 2022, and 2024); Best Bank in Nigeria (2020–2022, 2024, and 2025) from Global Finance; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards 2023.
It was also named one of the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.
The bank was honoured as Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years (2021–2024) in the World Finance Banking Awards, and as Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker Awards (2023 and 2024). In recognition of its governance culture, Zenith Bank received Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria from World Finance (2022–2024), and Best in Corporate Governance – Financial Services – Africa from Ethical Boardroom (2020–2023).
Further acclaim includes being named Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker Magazine in 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards in 2023 and 2024, and Retail Bank of the Year (2020–2022, 2024). In 2022, International Banker awarded the bank Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria.
In corporate responsibility, Zenith Bank stood out at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024, clinching titles such as Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting, and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
The bank also received Bank of the Year 2024 from ThisDay Newspaper and New Telegraph Newspaper, as well as Best in MSME Trade Finance 2023 and Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025 for its Hybrid Offer.
Zenith Bank’s continued success affirms its leadership in Nigeria’s banking sector and its growing influence on the global financial stage.