Executive Summary
Access Holdings Plc Access Holdings Plc has released its Unaudited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended 30 September 2026, showcasing steady top-line expansion, disciplined interest income management, and a robust balance sheet expansion despite operating in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Group Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose by 8.3% year-on-year to ₦667.36 billion, up from ₦616.25 billion reported in the corresponding period of 2025. Net profit for the period also ticked higher to ₦474.17 billion, reinforcing the institution’s position as one of Africa’s premier financial powerhouses.
Key Financial Highlights (Group)
| Financial Metric (in ₦ Millions) | 9M 2026 | 9M 2025 | YoY Change (%) |
| Interest Income | ₦2,952,125 | ₦2,744,815 | +7.55% |
| Interest Expense | (₦1,812,354) | (₦1,646,281) | +10.09% |
| Net Interest Income | ₦1,292,408 | ₦1,257,939 | +2.74% |
| Net Fee and Commission Income | ₦534,938 | ₦475,918 | +12.40% |
| Profit Before Tax (PBT) | ₦667,364 | ₦616,248 | +8.29% |
| Profit for the Period | ₦474,168 | ₦447,548 | +5.95% |
| Total Assets | ₦52,604,141 | ₦51,708,953* | +1.73% |
| Loans and Advances to Customers | ₦14,334,476 | ₦13,341,190* | +7.45% |
| Customer Deposits | ₦36,847,184 | ₦34,562,147* | +6.61% |
*Note: Comparative figures for balance sheet items reference December 31, 2025.
Detailed News & Editorial Analysis
1. Top-Line Growth Supported by Core Banking Strength
Access Holdings generated ₦2.95 trillion in interest income for the first nine months of 2026, marking a steady 7.55% increase over ₦2.74 trillion in 9M 2025. Effective management of interest-earning assets enabled the group to offset rising cost-of-funds pressures—evidenced by interest expenses expanding by 10.09% to ₦1.81 trillion—resulting in a resilient net interest income of ₦1.29 trillion.
2. Non-Interest Revenue & Operational Resilience
Non-interest revenue channels remained vital drivers of profitability. Net fee and commission income expanded by 12.4% to ₦534.94 billion, highlighting strong momentum across digital alternative channels, payment services, and trade finance.
However, total operating costs reflected inflationary pressures across sub-Saharan markets, with personnel expenses rising to ₦432.12 billion (from ₦358.56 billion) and other operating expenses reaching ₦757.26 billion.
Net foreign exchange gains contributed ₦205.32 billion, reflecting active treasury management amidst currency realignments, though moderated compared to the previous year’s comparative peaks.
3. Balance Sheet Scale and Intermediation
The group’s balance sheet surpassed the ₦52.6 trillion mark, cementing its systemic importance.
Credit Expansion: Loans and advances to customers grew by 7.45% from ₦13.34 trillion at the end of December 2025 to ₦14.33 trillion by September 2026, demonstrating continued support for key productive sectors of the economy.
Deposit Mobilization: Customer deposits grew by 6.61% to reach ₦36.85 trillion, reflecting strong retail and corporate customer trust and deepening brand equity.
4. Earnings Per Share and Shareholder Value
Basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) attributable to ordinary shareholders stood at 802 kobo for the nine-month period, compared to 800 kobo in 9M 2025. Total equity attributable to parent company owners strengthened to ₦4.07 trillion, up from ₦4.03 trillion at the close of 2025, supported by retained earnings of ₦2.18 trillion.
Editor’s Verdict
Access Holdings’ Q3 2026 performance underscores the efficacy of its disciplined diversification strategy across banking, consumer lending, payments, and insurance verticals. While inflationary headwinds and escalating operational costs continue to test margins across the financial sector, the group’s ability to grow both its loan book and deposit base past the ₦14 trillion and ₦36 trillion thresholds respectively highlights robust operational dexterity and steady stakeholder value creation.
