STANBIC IBTC’s 2025 financial statement shows every sign that the bank is a well-run organisation, with profit for the year rising by 69 percent to N380.796 billion in the full year, from N225.311 billion reported in the corresponding period of 2024.
The bank’s net interest revenue or income surged 43 percent to N585.008 billion in 2025, from N410.451 billion reported in 2024. Its debt ratio is positive, with total assets of N8.62 trillion outweighing its liabilities of N7.496 trillion. Net interest income rose sharply to N585 billion, marking a 42.5 percent increase from N410.5 billion in 2024. Net interest income is the profit banks earn from charging higher interest rates to borrowers than they pay out to depositors and account holders, Investopedia says.
Net assets rose by 68 percent to N1.12 trillion, from N670.6 billion a year earlier. Stanbic IBTC’s equity-to-total assets ratio improved to about 13 percent, from 9.7 percent in 2024. This measures how much of a company’s assets are owned by investors and how much of a company’s assets are borrowed. A higher equity-to-asset ratio like Stanbic IBTC’s indicates that a company is less reliant on debt, which reduces its financial risk.
READ ALSO: Stanbic IBTC explains N21bn lost loans, eyes out-of-court settlement for 413 cases
Stanbic IBTC reported earnings per share of N23.68, which translates to a price-to-earnings ratio of nearly 5 times.
Court matters could upend bank’s target
However, the litigations against the bank are mounting. In 2024, the lender faced 351 court cases, with customers and other litigants claiming N260.895 billion and $1.802 million. In 2025, however, the court cases against Stanbic IBTC jumped to 456, with claims surging to N524.953 billion, $1.3 billion and £1,556.07.
“The claims against the group are generally considered to have a low likelihood of success and the group is actively defending same. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of any of the proceedings will not have a significantly adverse effect on the group. Where the group envisages that there is a more than average chance that a claim against it will succeed, adequate provisions are raised in respect of such claim,” the bank noted.
Worthy of mention is the Stanbic IBTC court case with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). In December 2012, Stanbic IBTC entered into an agreement with AMCON to purchase the eligible assets (non-performing loan) of a client, which the bank earlier classified as ‘doubtful.’ AMCON confirmed its willingness to purchase the proposed assets at a total consideration of about N10 billion, which was concluded in December of 2012, the bank said.
“As a precondition for the sale, AMCON unequivocally stated that the pricing of the Eligible Bank Assets was subject to adjustment within twelve (12) months in line with AMCON guidelines after due diligence on information the Bank had supplied to AMCON. AMCON by a letter dated October 4, 2017 informed the Bank of its intention to reprice the loan and claw back the sum of ₦5.7bn, being what was alleged to be excess overpaid consideration, as a result of what was felt was an overvaluation.
“The Bank in its response to the allegation, emphatically denied the allegations and provided evidence to AMCON to the contrary. The Bank noted that AMCON’s attempt to reprice the sold Assets, were outside the 12-month claw-back period provided in AMCON’s guidelines.
“Notwithstanding all the clarifications made by the Bank, AMCON proceeded to apply to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to debit the Bank’s account with the sum requested to be clawed back, plus possible accrued interest. Sequel to this, the CBN wrote to Stanbic IBTC on 31 July 2019, informing the Bank of AMCON’s request to debit the Bank’s account.”
The bank said it instructed its lawyers to institute a legal action against AMCON, pursuant to which it obtained an interim injunction (ex-parte), restraining AMCON and the CBN from debiting its account for the alleged claw-back sum. However, Stanbic IBTC further noted that it subsequently discovered that AMCON had filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, on the same subject matter.
“Consequently, the Bank discontinued its suit against AMCON and filed a Counter-Claim against AMCON in its suit. When the case came up for hearing on 03 July 2024, the counsel for both parties adopted their respective issues for determination. On 04 July 2025, trial could not proceed as the Plaintiff’s counsel informed the court that their sole witness developed a medical emergency. The matter came up on 12 November 2025 and trial commenced. The matter is further adjourned to 24 February 2026 for continuation of trial.”
