Access Holdings Dominates Again! Becomes Nigeria’s Biggest Lender by Assets in 2025
Access Holdings Plc has officially cemented its leadership position in Nigeria’s financial industry, emerging as the nation’s biggest lender by total assets, according to the PREMIUM TIMES 2025 Annual Banking Report, which ranks Nigerian banks based on their 2024 performance.
The report highlights a consistent trend — Access Holdings, UBA, and Zenith Bank have maintained their dominance for two consecutive years, underscoring their financial strength and strategic agility in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Access Holdings saw its total assets surge by over 55%, rising from ₦26.7 trillion in 2023 to ₦41.5 trillion in 2024, reinforcing its status as Nigeria’s financial powerhouse.
Close behind,
• United Bank for Africa (UBA) posted a 46.8% jump in total assets to ₦30.3 trillion (from ₦20.7 trillion), and
• Zenith Bank recorded a 47% increase to ₦30 trillion (from ₦20.4 trillion).
Together, these three banking giants continue to shape the dynamics of Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Why Assets Are Growing Fast
The 2025 Annual Banking Report, now in its fifth edition, draws insights from the audited financial statements of Nigerian banks. It highlights how recent capital raise initiatives—spurred by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation directive—played a key role in boosting balance sheets.
Another major factor was the 27.5% benchmark interest rate, the highest in years. The elevated rates made fixed-income securities like bonds and treasury bills highly attractive, prompting several banks to channel more funds into these instruments.
This shift means that while loans and advances traditionally dominate bank assets, investment securities are now taking a larger share, as lenders opt for low-risk, high-yield government instruments.
Access Holdings: A Financial Empire Expanding Beyond Banking
Access Holdings, originally incorporated in 1989 as Access Bank Plc, restructured into a holding company in March 2022 to diversify its operations beyond traditional banking.
Today, its portfolio spans:
• Banking (corporate, commercial, and retail)
• Payments
• Pensions
• Insurance brokerage
With over 700 branches across 24 countries on three continents and a customer base exceeding 63 million, Access Holdings has evolved into a pan-African financial powerhouse.
The group also ranked as Nigeria’s biggest bank by revenue in 2024, demonstrating strength not only in asset growth but also in profitability and market reach.
The Bigger Picture
Analysts believe Access Holdings’ consistent growth reflects strategic foresight, diversification, and strong capital management. Its regional expansion and digital transformation have positioned it as a key player in Africa’s evolving banking sector.
Meanwhile, the sustained rise in total assets across major banks also signals improving investor confidence, increased customer deposits, and a proactive adaptation to Nigeria’s monetary tightening cycle.
In summary:
Access Holdings’ remarkable leap to ₦41.5 trillion in total assets reaffirms its dominance and resilience in Nigeria’s competitive banking landscape. Alongside UBA and Zenith, it continues to set the pace for what strong governance, innovation, and strategic diversification can achieve in the financial sector.
#AccessHoldings #BankingNigeria #FinancialNews #UBA #ZenithBank #AssetGrowth #NigeriaEconomy
Access Holdings Plc has officially cemented its leadership position in Nigeria’s financial industry, emerging as the nation’s biggest lender by total assets, according to the PREMIUM TIMES 2025 Annual Banking Report, which ranks Nigerian banks based on their 2024 performance.
The report highlights a consistent trend — Access Holdings, UBA, and Zenith Bank have maintained their dominance for two consecutive years, underscoring their financial strength and strategic agility in a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Access Holdings saw its total assets surge by over 55%, rising from ₦26.7 trillion in 2023 to ₦41.5 trillion in 2024, reinforcing its status as Nigeria’s financial powerhouse.
Close behind,
• United Bank for Africa (UBA) posted a 46.8% jump in total assets to ₦30.3 trillion (from ₦20.7 trillion), and
• Zenith Bank recorded a 47% increase to ₦30 trillion (from ₦20.4 trillion).
Together, these three banking giants continue to shape the dynamics of Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Why Assets Are Growing Fast
The 2025 Annual Banking Report, now in its fifth edition, draws insights from the audited financial statements of Nigerian banks. It highlights how recent capital raise initiatives—spurred by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation directive—played a key role in boosting balance sheets.
Another major factor was the 27.5% benchmark interest rate, the highest in years. The elevated rates made fixed-income securities like bonds and treasury bills highly attractive, prompting several banks to channel more funds into these instruments.
This shift means that while loans and advances traditionally dominate bank assets, investment securities are now taking a larger share, as lenders opt for low-risk, high-yield government instruments.
Access Holdings: A Financial Empire Expanding Beyond Banking
Access Holdings, originally incorporated in 1989 as Access Bank Plc, restructured into a holding company in March 2022 to diversify its operations beyond traditional banking.
Today, its portfolio spans:
• Banking (corporate, commercial, and retail)
• Payments
• Pensions
• Insurance brokerage
With over 700 branches across 24 countries on three continents and a customer base exceeding 63 million, Access Holdings has evolved into a pan-African financial powerhouse.
The group also ranked as Nigeria’s biggest bank by revenue in 2024, demonstrating strength not only in asset growth but also in profitability and market reach.
The Bigger Picture
Analysts believe Access Holdings’ consistent growth reflects strategic foresight, diversification, and strong capital management. Its regional expansion and digital transformation have positioned it as a key player in Africa’s evolving banking sector.
Meanwhile, the sustained rise in total assets across major banks also signals improving investor confidence, increased customer deposits, and a proactive adaptation to Nigeria’s monetary tightening cycle.
In summary:
Access Holdings’ remarkable leap to ₦41.5 trillion in total assets reaffirms its dominance and resilience in Nigeria’s competitive banking landscape. Alongside UBA and Zenith, it continues to set the pace for what strong governance, innovation, and strategic diversification can achieve in the financial sector.
#AccessHoldings #BankingNigeria #FinancialNews #UBA #ZenithBank #AssetGrowth #NigeriaEconomy