Zenith Bank Targets Full CBN Compliance By June,  Eyes Dividend Payout

Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest financial institution by Tier-1 Capital, has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting all regulatory benchmarks set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including full exit from the apex bank’s regulatory forbearance by June 30, 2025.

This assurance was delivered amid rising scrutiny of banks’ financial health following a recent CBN directive that restricts dividend payments and enforces tighter oversight on institutions with unresolved forbearance-linked loans or breaches of the Single Obligor Limit (SOL).

In a corporate statement filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Zenith Bank clarified that its SOL exposure is limited to a single obligor and that corrective actions will ensure compliance before the June 30 deadline. The bank further disclosed that its forbearance exposure affects only two customers, and substantial provisioning has already been made for the facilities. Full provisioning will be completed before the same deadline.

In a major show of financial resilience, Zenith Bank also confirmed that it has exceeded the newly mandated regulatory capital threshold of ₦500 billion. This milestone reinforces its ability to sustain performance and deliver long-term value to shareholders, investors, and the Nigerian economy.

The bank’s confidence in maintaining dividend payouts in 2025 also underscores its robust fundamentals and forward-looking governance. Analysts have noted that Zenith’s clarity on forbearance and capital strength sets a benchmark for transparency in the Nigerian banking sector.

Zenith Bank continues to lead the industry in digital transformation, innovation, and customer experience, maintaining a solid performance track record that has earned it multiple global and local awards.

Among its latest accolades are its 15th consecutive ranking as Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital in The Banker Magazine’s Top 1000 World Banks, and repeated honors as Bank of the Year Nigeria (2020, 2022, 2024), Best Bank for Digital Solutions (2023), and Most Sustainable Bank (2023 and 2024). The bank also earned major corporate governance awards from Ethical Boardroom and World Finance, and was named Most Responsible Organisation in Africa at the SERAS CSR Awards 2024.

Further, Zenith’s strong brand equity has been validated by recognitions such as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria (2020, 2021), Bank of the Year by BusinessDay and New Telegraph (2023, 2024), and MSME Trade Finance Leader (2023) by Nairametrics. Its 2025 Hybrid Offer was recently awarded ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’ by Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards.

With its strong leadership, disciplined risk management, and forward-looking capital strategy, Zenith Bank remains one of the most trusted institutions in Nigeria’s financial landscape.

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By Augustine Idoje