Stanbic IBTC Holdings has officially become the second Nigerian bank to cross the ₦100 per share threshold on the Nigerian Exchange, cementing its position among the country’s most valuable financial institutions. This milestone follows a sustained period of strong earnings growth, strategic capital raising initiatives, and rising investor confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The bank’s share price, which opened the year at around ₦58, has surged by over 71 percent year-to-date, driven by improved market sentiment and robust financial performance. This achievement places Stanbic IBTC alongside Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), which had earlier crossed the ₦100 mark, signalling a renewed wave of strength in tier-one Nigerian banking stocks.
Stanbic IBTC’s rally gained momentum following the release of its Q1 2025 results, where it reported an 85.6 percent increase in profit before tax compared to the same period in 2024. This strong earnings report reassured investors of the bank’s resilience amid Nigeria’s volatile economic environment.
Further boosting confidence was the successful conclusion of its ₦150 billion rights issue, which was oversubscribed at 121.97 percent. The rights issue added nearly 2.95 billion new shares to its share base, raising fresh equity for expansion and strengthening its capital adequacy in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation drive. The bank also secured a three-year CNY 800 million (about ₦172 billion) trade finance facility with China Development Bank to support cross-border trade and corporate financing needs.
Financially, Stanbic IBTC posted a profit after tax of ₦225.3 billion for the 2024 financial year, a 60 percent increase from the previous year. Net interest income surged by 78 percent to ₦823.3 billion, reflecting efficient balance sheet management and improved asset yields. For the nine months ending September 2024, gross earnings grew by 95.9 percent to ₦649.5 billion, while profit before tax climbed to ₦222.9 billion, underscoring its strong revenue-generating capacity.
Market analysts attribute the bank’s rise to its prudent risk management, focus on high-yield segments, and expansion into trade finance. The performance also coincides with broader market optimism fuelled by Nigeria’s improving foreign exchange liquidity and recent reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
As of July 2025, Stanbic IBTC’s market capitalisation stands at approximately ₦1.59 trillion, placing it firmly in the league of Nigeria’s most capitalised financial institutions. Earnings per share are projected to grow by over 21 percent annually, while its return on equity is forecast to average around 28 percent in the next three years.
By becoming only the second bank to surpass the ₦100 share price benchmark, Stanbic IBTC has signalled its emergence as a leading force in Nigeria’s financial sector. Its strong performance underscores the resilience of Nigerian banks amid evolving market dynamics and sets the stage for more competitive growth in the industry.
This milestone not only reinforces investor confidence in Stanbic IBTC’s long-term prospects but also reflects the broader revaluation of banking stocks on the Nigerian Exchange, driven by robust earnings and strategic capitalisation efforts. The bank’s ability to sustain this momentum will be closely watched by stakeholders and market participants alike.
