Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, parent company of The Alternative Bank and Sterling Bank, has released its 2025 full-year interim financial results, showcasing an improvement in operational efficiency with a reduced cost-to-income ratio of 63% from 72% in 2024. This decline, coupled with a 99% year-over-year (YoY) increase in profit before tax (PBT) to ₦90.7 billion, highlights the Group’s strategic focus on controlling operational expenses while driving robust revenue growth.
The Group’s total assets surged by 11% to nearly ₦4 trillion, a strong indicator of its expanded market footprint. Customer deposits rose by 18%, reaching ₦2.98 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% YoY to ₦476.5 billion, driven by healthy growth in both interest and non-interest income. Interest income rose by 43% to ₦369.6 billion, fueled by an increase in loans and advances and improved yields on investment securities. Non-interest income grew by 57.3%, 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% to ₦424.0 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 ₦88 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.
