Access Holdings Plc reported a profit before tax of N272.21 billion for Q1 2026, marking the first time it surpassed N1 trillion in profit before tax. This achievement reflects a 22.2% increase from N222.78 billion in Q1 2025.
The combined profit before tax of Nigeria’s leading deposit money banks reached N1.6 trillion in the same quarter. Access Holdings Plc’s banking sector contributed significantly, accounting for 93% of its consolidated profit.
In FY 2025, Access Holdings crossed the N1 trillion mark with a profit before tax of N1.01 trillion. However, the bank faced challenges as its net impairment charge rose to N73.81 billion in Q1 2026, a staggering 239% increase from N21.77 billion in Q1 2025.
Other major banks reported varying results: Zenith Bank Plc posted a profit before tax of N360.92 billion, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc recorded N302.89 billion. Wema Bank Plc saw an impressive increase of 41.2%, reaching N72.6 billion.
No final dividend was declared for Access Holdings Plc for FY 2025, raising questions among investors about future distributions. KPMG signed off on Access Holdings’ audited results on April 30, 2026.
The robust performance came amid persistent economic pressures such as inflation and exchange rate volatility. Observers note that these factors could impact future profitability and investor sentiment.
Investment banker Tajudeen Olayinka pointed out that most tier-one banks maintain net long US dollar positions, which indicates their foreign currency assets exceed liabilities.
As Access Holdings continues to navigate these challenges, its focus remains on driving sustainable earnings through customer relationships and technology deployment.