Fidelity Bank Plc has reported a 45 percent increase in gross earnings for the 2025 financial year, as the lender’s shareholders’ funds crossed the N1 trillion mark following sustained balance sheet expansion and fresh capital injection. Analysis from the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, reveals that the bank delivered robust results across key financial metrics, including Gross Earnings, which stood at N1.5 trillion, up from N1,04 trillion reported in 2024. Net Interest Income rose to N831.3 billion, compared to N629.7 billion in 2024, reflecting the bank’s stronger earnings capacity amid elevated interest rates and growth in interest-earning assets. Interest and similar income calculated using the effective interest rate rose by 38.7 percent to N1.11 trillion in 2025 from N803.05 billion in 2024, while other interest and similar income increased by 25.1 percent to N184.51 billion. Net interest income after credit loss also rose significantly by 41.2 percent to N809.74 billion from N573.33 billion. The bank also recorded an improvement in asset quality costs, as credit loss expense moderated to N21.61 billion from N56.44 billion, representing a 61.7 percent improvement year-on-year. Fidelity Bank continued to expand its digital banking footprint, enhance customer experience, and support key sectors of the economy. Non-interest revenue performance remained strong during the period, with fee and commission income increasing by 44.7 percent to N113.36 billion from N78.36 billion. This was driven by letters of credit commissions and fees (N12.5 billion), ATM charges fees (N11.6 billion), commission on travellers’ cheques and foreign bills (N8.9 billion), accounts maintenance charge (N7.13 billion and commission on E-banking activities (N2.2 billion), Other operating income rose by 200.5 percent to N8.24 billion, while foreign currency revaluation gains surged by 749.9 percent to N99.58 billion from N11.72 billion in 2024. Fidelity Bank’s investment assets expanded significantly during the year, reflecting the bank’s stronger positioning in fixed income and other securities markets. Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) rose by 199 percent to N557.78 billion from N186.57 billion, while debt instruments at amortised cost increased by 27.2 percent to N1.97 trillion from N1.55 trillion. Equity instruments at FVOCI also rose by 26.2 percent to N87.85 billion. The bank also recorded gains from financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL), which increased by 280.7 percent to N2.75 billion. A new gain of N988 million from derecognition activities was also recorded during the period. On the balance sheet side, cash and cash equivalents increased sharply by 87 percent to N1.32 trillion from N707.45 billion, indicating stronger liquidity buffers. Restricted balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) also rose to N1.65 trillion from N1.59 trillion. Other assets increased by 76.4 percent to N278.89 billion, while investments in property, plant, and equipment rose by 161.6 percent to N203.72 billion. Intangible assets climbed by 147.5 percent to N50.44 billion, indicating continued investment in technology and operational infrastructure. Deferred tax assets also increased significantly to N33.10 billion from N5.31 billion. The bank further reduced debts issued and other borrowed funds to N888.95 billion from N929.60 billion, reflecting lower reliance on external borrowings. Deferred tax liabilities declined completely from N727 million in 2024 to zero in 2025. The lender’s total assets grew by 18.6 percent to N10.46 trillion from N8.82 trillion, driven by growth in liquid assets and investment securities. Customer deposits rose by 16.1 percent to N6.89 trillion from N5.94 trillion, reflecting sustained customer confidence and expansion in the bank’s funding base. Fidelity Bank also strengthened its capital position during the year as total equity increased by 21.1 percent to N1.09 trillion from N897.87 billion, pushing shareholders’ funds above the N1 trillion mark, reinforcing the lender’s capacity to support larger transactions, absorb shocks, and expand its regional and international banking ambitions. The bank disclosed that it completed a private placement of 12.9 billion ordinary shares in December 2025, raising fresh capital that increased eligible capital to N532.6 billion, above the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion minimum requirement for banks with international authorisation. The exercise increased total issued shares from 50.2 billion units to 63.17 billion units, significantly boosting shareholders’ funds beyond the N1 trillion threshold. The stronger capital base is expected to improve the lender’s capacity to finance larger transactions, expand lending activities, and support future regional growth opportunities.

Aviation business, not only in Nigeria, is generally known to be a capital intensive one and strictly guided by international regulations as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The ICAO recommended standards and Practices are to be referred to when dealing in aviation business, therefore, Nigeria being a signatory to ICAO should uphold international civil aviation standards and fulfill its obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation.Numerous challenges, including high operating cost; fluctuating exchange rates; difficulties in aircraft repossession; perceived high-risk environment for international financiers and lessors, leading to stringent financing terms or reluctance to engage with Nigerian airlines, have really overwhelmed the sector.Experts say international lessors often perceive Nigeria as a high-risk country due to factors like currency fluctuations and difficulties in aircraft repossession, making it harder for airlines to secure leases on favourable terms and encountering difficulties in securing financing for aircraft acquisition and maintenance.”Despite its strategic location, burgeoning population, and role as West Africa’s gateway, Nigeria’s aviation sector struggles to attract investment and secure newer, fuel-efficient aircraft under favorable leasing terms.According to analysts, domestic airlines continue to shrink in size ‘due to lack of adequate financing and sometimes lack of sincerity among many operators who are not disciplined enough to differentiate between operating funds from personal monies and in the mix they encroach into their capital. This is why many airlines find it difficult to offset their loans, and because of frivolous spending by many operator and other factors, the banks had it as a policy not to give credit facility to airlines’.Fidelity Bank’s Midas TouchNot many people were aware that while banks stayed away from the sector, Fidelity Bank placed a bet on Barrister Allen Onyema’s Air Peace brand over 10 years ago.Air Peace began operations with seven aircraft consisting of three Dornier 328s and four Boeing 737-500. This initial fleet was notably larger than what some other airlines started with. The airline launched on October 24, 2014. Despite their size and smallness, Fidelity Bank chose to stick with the airline. It provided fund to buy new aircraft from Boeing. In 2018, Dr. Allen Onyema signed an agreement with Boeing for 10 new aircraft, this was financed by Fidelity Bank.Fidelity Bank provided the funds required for Air Peace’s growth and expansion. Air Peace has scaled up and is now the largest airline in West Africa by fleet and size.The airline has also kept faith with Fidelity Bank by choosing to bank with it even in the face of multiple choices, currently.No airline in Nigeria today comes close to Air Peace in terms of daily turnover and liquidity.Onyema, who disclosed recently at a press conference to announce commencement of Abuja-London Heathrow flights, that the airline currently has 49 aircraft, 36 on outright purchase and four on wet lease, spoke of the financial integrity of the airline, adding that it has contributed to the feat of securing the coveted slot in Heathrow.Speaking on maintenance and financial integrity of the airline, Onyema described its fleet maintenance as top notch, revealing that its partnership with Israeli Aerospace Service and OEM has also earned it international accolades. He added that Air Peace’s financial integrity has grown the confidence of other financial institutions in investment in aviation.“The banking industry confidence has grown due to our financial integrity. Fidelity bank celebrated us recently, our financial integrity is the reason for our expansion, every Nigerian banks now wants to partner with us because we see borrowed money as other people’s money, they are depositors’ money, so we are prudent with it, banks don’t look over their shoulders when they are dealing with us”, he added.On Sunday, April 21, 2024, Fidelity Bank hosted an evening in honour of Air Peace for achieving a historic milestone of being the first Nigerian airline in recent times to commence direct flights from Nigeria to London.The dinner, which also coincided with the 10th year anniversary of the airline, was to be an opportunity to get together to celebrate Nigerian aviation giant and Chairman of the Air Peace Group, Dr. Allen Onyema, who had broken the jinx of Nigerian airlines in the international aviation space with its commencement of flights to London.Making its debut flight to London on March 30, 2024, with a ticket price of N1.2 million while players in the space prior to March 30 had charged as much as N3 million, foreign airlines plying the route has since continued to drop their prices in order to remain competitive in the market.Air Peace’ involvement in the international flight terrain has received lots of accolades from Nigerians at home and abroad and its strategic pricing is also a big win for Nigeria’s flying public as reduced flight cost gives Nigerians more liquidity to enjoy other pleasures they may wish.Following on this, Fidelity bank’s evening in honour of Air Peace is a loud cheer in support of the airline.According to Onyema, when the airline started operating in 2014, of all the financial institution within the country, only Fidelity bank was willing to support it through its teething period.Onyema noted that the support gotten from the bank has been consistent through the years enabling him to fulfill his lifelong dream of job creation and empowerment of the average Nigerian.”This bank (Fidelity) is the only bank that responded to us in the early days. They believed in us. People that earn hundred thousand a month, they give them loans. I call it our journey with Fidelity Bank”.“Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has just spoken about us, how we were there for them. But I also remember how she was there for us while she was an Executive Director with Fidelity. The team was always there when the road was very rough. Words have failed me because I didn’t know this day will come when an indigenous institution will be celebrating another indigenous institution. It is very encouraging.”In her remarks at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity bank, Dr. Onyeka Onyeali-Ikpe, stated that the celebration is well deserved as Air Peace has through financial discipline expanded its operational fleet and is going the extra mile to put Nigeria on the world stage.”Today, we are celebrating one of ours. They started operations with a few aircrafts and today they have 24 aircrafts. My experience with them underscores what you call financial discipline. When you go through their accounts, you will not see personal spend.”That is a lesson for everybody. We are here to celebrate them. This is a major milestone. We have supported them, no doubt, but they have also been very loyal to us. Because they have been a big fan for a very long time and all the big boys wanted them but Allen and his team said no.Ibom AirFidelity Bank is also a part of the success story of Ibom Air as it was recently revealed by the erstwhile managing Director of the airline, Captain Mfon Udom that it was the lead financier for the acquisition of its Airbus A220-300 Series.Speaking at the ceremony to officially receive the aircraft at the Victor Attah International Airport Uyo, Udom stated that “there are several Banks that are supporting Ibom Air, but this Aircraft in particular has been made possible by Fidelity Bank and Union Bank.’“The significance of this ceremony today cannot be over-emphasized. I must thank Fidelity Bank because they have come in full force to support us. By 2026 we are going to be operating 18 aircraft and adding two new destinations to the routes of Ibom Air later this year, the aircraft will boost services on existing routes.”My speech would be incomplete without acknowledging the role played by Fidelity Bank as the lead financier of the acquisition of Ibom’s Air’s Airbus A220-300 aircraft”, he stated.Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, represented by Mr. Charles Nwoke, Executive Director, Risk Management, Fidelity Bank noted that “As the market leader in airline financing in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is proud to support Ibom Air in this venture.His words “The partnership reflects our commitment to being the bank of choice for the people of Akwa Ibom State. And we pledge to do more for our valued customers as we continue to pursue our corporate mandate of helping individuals to grow, businesses to thrive and economies to prosper.’’Enugu AirAnd the recently launched Enugu Air was also made possible with a strong financial support of Fidelity Bank.Its Managing Director, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, described the launch of Enugu Air as a powerful affirmation that the nation’s aviation sector is major driver of Nigeria’s economic growth.Speaking at the official launch of the Enugu Air held at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, she stated that ‘Fidelity Bank is proud to finance tomorrow’s opportunities today, noting that the bank’s support for Enugu Air aligns with its belief in aviation as a catalyst for growth’.“It is an honour to join you today as we celebrate the official launch of Enugu Air. As the lead financier of this visionary project, our support for Enugu Air reflects our long-standing belief in aviation as a driver of economic growth, regional connectivity, and national transformation.“At Fidelity Bank, we stand firmly behind its potential to unlock new corridors of opportunity by boosting tourism, accelerating commerce, and creating thousands of jobs across the Southeast. We are proud to finance tomorrow’s opportunities today, a powerful affirmation that ‘Tomorrow Is Here’ in Enugu State and across Nigeria’s aviation sector.” she stated.CTC signing by NigeriaLed by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, Nigeria recently signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) Practice Direction in the aviation sector, aimed at reducing the cost of airline operations. This move is expected to facilitate aircraft leasing and financing, potentially leading to lower flight costs for passengers.CTC is a treaty designed to facilitate asset-based financing and leasing of aviation equipment, expand financing opportunities, and reduce costs – thereby providing substantial economic benefits. It is believed that this move by government will continue to encourage Fidelity Bank to support more domestic airlines that have hitherto found it difficult to access funds for fleet and route expansion.

L-R: Cynthia Sanyaolu, Head, Talent Management, Polaris Bank; Mathew Oji, Product Strategy, Polaris Bank; and Olanrewaju Oyekunle, Head, HR Operations, Polaris Bank, at the 2026 Jobberman Partners’ Convening in Lagos, where Polaris Bank was honoured with the Private Sector Champion Award in recognition of its outstanding contributions to youth employment, talent development, and workforce empowerment across Nigeria.

Lagos, Nigeria – May 7, 2026 – Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading digital retail and commercial bank, has been honoured with the Private Sector Champion Award at the 2026 Jobberman Partners’ Convening held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, in recognition of the Bank’s outstanding and stellar contributions to youth employment, talent development, and workforce empowerment across Nigeria.The award recognises private sector organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in advancing youth employability through impactful recruitment initiatives, graduate trainee programmes, executive hiring support, candidate assessment programmes, and strategic partnerships that create sustainable career opportunities for young Nigerians.Organised by Jobberman, Nigeria’s leading recruitment and career development platform, the annual convening brought together key stakeholders from the private sector, development organisations, and industry leaders to deliberate on practical and scalable solutions for addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria.Speaking on the recognition, Cynthia Sanyaolu, Head Talent Management at Polaris Bank reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians and strengthening the nation’s workforce through strategic people-focused initiatives designed to create long-term economic and social impact.“This recognition reflects Polaris Bank’s unwavering belief in the potential of the Nigerian youths and our commitment to building platforms that enable them thrive professionally and economically,” Cynthia stated. “At Polaris Bank, we see talent development and youth empowerment as critical drivers of national growth and sustainable development.”Themed: “From Impact to Action: Collectively Designing the Future of Youth Employment in Nigeria,” the convening focused on fostering collaboration between the private sector and other stakeholders to expand access to meaningful employment opportunities and equip young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities required to succeed in an evolving economy.On the recognition, Jobberman commended Polaris Bank for consistently going beyond transactional partnerships to deliver measurable impact within Nigeria’s employment ecosystem. The renowned recruitment firm described Polaris Bank as a credible and purpose-driven institution committed to advancing youth employability and supporting the future of work in Nigeria.Over the years, Polaris Bank has continued to invest in initiatives that promote learning, career growth, workforce inclusion, and economic empowerment. Through strategic Graduate Trainee recruitment programmes via its flagship Polaris Graduate Intensive Training (PGIT) and Polaris Tech Ignite Training (TechIGNITE), among other talent development initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, the Bank remains committed to supporting the next generation of Nigerian professionals while contributing to national development.The recognition further reinforces Polaris Bank’s position as a leading socially responsible financial institution dedicated to driving sustainable impact through innovation, strategic partnerships, and people-centered initiatives that empower individuals, businesses, and communities across Nigeria.-END-