Sterling HoldCo grows FY'25 profit by 99%

Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, the parent company of The Alternative Bank and Sterling Bank, has released its 2025 full-year interim financial results.

In the results, the company showcases an improvement in operational efficiency with a reduced cost-to-income ratio of 63 percent from 72 percent in 2024.

This decline, coupled with a 99 percent year-over-year (YoY) increase in profit before tax (PBT) to N90.7 billion, highlights the Group’s strategic focus on controlling operational expenses while driving robust revenue growth.

The Group’s total assets surged by 11 percent to nearly N4 trillion, a strong indicator of its expanded market footprint. Customer deposits rose by 18 percent, reaching N2.98 trillion, further reflecting the Group’s successful efforts in enhancing customer engagement and product adoption across its platforms.

Sterling HoldCo’s gross earnings grew by 46 percent YoY to N476.5 billion, driven by healthy growth in both interest and non-interest income. Interest income rose by 43 percent to N369.6 billion, fueled by an increase in loans and advances and improved yields on investment securities.

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Non-interest income grew by 57.3 percent, supported by higher trading income and growth in fees and commissions.
Sterling HoldCo has also continued to strengthen its capital position, with shareholders’ funds increasing 39 percent to N424 billion.

This bolstered capital base ensures the Group’s banking subsidiaries are well-equipped to support its future growth initiatives, having met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation requirements ahead of the March 2026 deadline.

This achievement was driven by a series of disciplined capital-raising initiatives, including a public offer of over N88 billion to bolster Sterling Bank’s position, and a prior capital injection that secured The Alternative Bank’s status as a national non-interest bank.

The Group’s results reflect a diversified earnings base, an emphasis on efficient capital deployment, and a strengthened operational foundation, all of which position Sterling HoldCo for continued growth in the competitive financial services landscape.

Iheanyi Nwachukwu

Iheanyi Nwachukwu, is a creative content writer with almost two decades journalism experience writing on banking, finance, capital markets, and tax. The multiple awards winning journalist is Assistant Editor, BusinessDay. Iheanyi holds BSc Degree in Economics from Imo State University; Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Management from University of Lagos. Iheanyi has attended several work-related trainings including (i) Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (Pan African University, Lagos); (ii) News Agency Journalism (Indian Institute of Mass Communication {IIMC}, New Delhi, India); and (iii) Capital Markets Development and Regulations (International Law Institute {ILI} of Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA). Other trainings Iheanyi attended include: Economic/Political Risk Analysis (By Thomson Reuters Foundation); International Financial Journalism (IFJ) (By PMA Media Training, UK); Effective Business Writing Skills (By Phillips Consulting); Reporting on Corporate Governance (By International Finance Corporation (IFC) & Thomson Reuters Foundation UK); etc. In addition, he has participated in high-level economy & markets events in Dubai, South Africa, Morocco, and other African countries like Zambia, Ghana and Gambia.