*Assets base hits 4.7trn
By Bamidele Famoofo
WorldStage– Sterling Financial Holdings Company ( SFHC) Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial services group, achieved a new height in its half year financial period ended June 30, 2026, with interest on loan portfolio growing by 41 percent, driving gross earnings to N279.6 billion.
Gross earnings rose 31.5 percent over the corresponding period in 2025, led by a 33.7 percent jump in interest income to N223.6 billion as the loan book expanded and asset yields improved. Net interest income stood at N137.4 billion, while non-interest income grew by 23.3 percent to N56.0 billion, supported by notable increases in fee income and other operating income lines.
Sterling Financial continued to strengthen its balance sheet with total assets expanding by 19.3 percent to N4.67 trillion, supported by a 21.1 percent growth in customer deposits to N3.62 trillion and disciplined expansion in the loan portfolio. The Group’s profit before tax (PBT) rose 21.9 percent to N55.5 billion while profit after tax (PAT) rose 20.4 percent to N50.3 billion.
Return on average equity stood at 20.6 percent and return on average assets improved to 2.35 percent from 2.05 percent.
Sterling Financial’s shareholders’ funds increased 27.8 percent to N547.7 billion in the period under review, primarily reflecting the N96.6 billion raised through a public offer of 13.8 billion ordinary shares.
The Group’s share price has also appreciated over 15 percent from its year-opening position, reflecting renewed investor interest in the franchise ahead of the results release. Basic earnings per share stood at 77 kobo, reflecting the enlarged share base following the public offer.
The Group’s performance is anchored by its ongoing modernisation of its technology stack and operating model across its commercial (Sterling Bank), non-interest (AltBank), and wealth management (SterlingFI) arms. That work is showing up in faster service turnaround, tighter unit economics, and greater headroom to absorb rising customer activity without loosening the Group’s risk posture.
The combination of a reinforced capital base, expanding deposit franchise, and broader earnings mix leaves Sterling Financial positioned to compound growth in the second half of the year, channelling capital where it earns most and continuing to lend into the real economy.
