Access Holdings, Ecobank lead six banks as combined assets rise to N195.08tn

Six of Nigeria’s biggest listed banks closed September 30, 2026 with combined total assets of N195.08 trillion, up 6.73% from N182.79 trillion a year earlier. The N12.29 trillion increase was captured in their unaudited financial statements.

The lenders are Access Holdings Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Zenith Bank Plc, First HoldCo Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. Five of the six recorded balance sheet growth. First HoldCo and Zenith Bank contributed N9.01 trillion, about 73% of the total increase.

Access keeps top spot

Access Holdings remained the largest bank by total assets with N52.60 trillion, up 0.78% from N52.20 trillion a year earlier. Ecobank followed with N47.92 trillion. Zenith Bank had N34.39 trillion, First HoldCo N32.20 trillion, GTCO N18.37 trillion and Stanbic IBTC N9.60 trillion.

Ecobank’s naira-denominated assets fell marginally by 0.11% to N47.92 trillion from N47.97 trillion. Its assets in dollar terms rose 10.9% to $35.96 billion from $32.43 billion.

First HoldCo, Stanbic grow fastest

First HoldCo recorded the strongest expansion. Its total assets rose 21.95% to N32.20 trillion from N26.40 trillion. Investment securities increased 62.4% to N10.31 trillion from N6.35 trillion. Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss rose more than sixfold to N2.22 trillion from N352.38 billion.

Stanbic IBTC ranked second in asset growth. Its balance sheet expanded 14.53% to N9.60 trillion from N8.38 trillion. Other assets increased to N1.21 trillion from N640.38 billion, while loans and advances grew 16% to N3.04 trillion.

Zenith Bank’s total assets rose 10.30% to N34.39 trillion from N31.18 trillion. Loans and advances increased 24.2% to N11.64 trillion from N9.37 trillion. Cash balances with the Central Bank of Nigeria rose to N7.66 trillion from N6.85 trillion.

GTCO, Access show mixed trends

GTCO’s total assets grew 10.29% to N18.37 trillion from N16.66 trillion. Investment securities held at fair value through profit or loss surged to N605.55 billion from N13.61 billion. Loans to customers declined 7.4% to N3.00 trillion.

Access Holdings recorded the slowest growth among the six lenders. Its loans to customers increased 11.2% to N14.33 trillion, while cash balances declined 27.6% to N6.32 trillion from N8.73 trillion.

Analysts linked part of the expansion to increased investment in government securities and higher lending. They cautioned that asset growth does not automatically mean improved asset quality.