Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has proposed an interim dividend of N4.50 per ordinary share for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, representing an 80 per cent increase from the N2.50 per share paid in the corresponding period of 2025.
The proposed dividend, which amounts to N71.56 billion, is subject to regulatory approval and applicable withholding tax.
The company said shareholders whose names appear on the Register of Members as of the close of business on Thursday, October 15, 2026, will qualify for the dividend.
The strong dividend declaration followed a significant improvement in the group’s financial performance, with profit after tax rising by 38.20 per cent to N239.68 billion, compared with N173.43 billion recorded in the first half of 2025.
Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent stood at N236.98 billion, up from N171.37 billion in the previous year, while earnings per share increased to N14.90, compared with N10.78 in the corresponding period.
According to the company’s interim financial statements, gross earnings increased by 27.15 per cent to N650.31 billion, from N511.45 billion, while profit before tax rose by 40.13 per cent to N341.57 billion, compared with N243.74 billion in the first half of 2025.
The growth in earnings came despite a decline in net interest income, which fell to N266.28 billion from N310.83 billion.
The group, however, recorded stronger performance from non-interest income, which rose to N278.02 billion, compared with N123.08 billion a year earlier. Net fee and commission revenue increased to N145.26 billion from N124.31 billion.
Income from insurance activities also improved, while trading revenue rose significantly to N126.36 billion, helping to strengthen overall earnings.
The group’s income before credit impairment charges rose to N544.30 billion, from N433.92 billion. Net impairment losses on financial assets, however, moderated sharply to N7.36 billion, compared with N11.10 billion in the corresponding period.
Operating expenses increased to N195.38 billion, from N179.07 billion, reflecting higher staff and other operating costs.
Stanbic IBTC also recorded expansion in its balance sheet during the period.
Total assets rose to N10.91 trillion as of June 30, 2026, from N8.62 trillion at the end of December 2025, representing an increase of about 26.6 per cent.
Loans and advances to customers increased to N2.59 trillion, from N2.38 trillion at the end of 2025, while customer deposits rose to N4.63 trillion, compared with N4.37 trillion.
The group’s equity increased to N1.30 trillion, from N1.12 trillion at the end of December 2025.
However, cash and cash equivalents declined during the period. The group recorded a net decrease of N712.37 billion in cash and cash equivalents, compared with an increase of N299.09 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Cash and cash equivalents stood at N1.39 trillion at June 30, compared with N2.13 trillion at the end of June 2025.
The company said the register of shareholders will be closed from Friday, October 16 to Friday, October 23, 2026, while the qualification date is October 15.
Shareholders will have the option of receiving the interim dividend either in cash or through the company’s Scrip Dividend Scheme, under which eligible shareholders may elect to receive new ordinary shares instead of cash.
The payment date for the interim dividend is Friday, November 13, 2026.
For shareholders opting for the scrip dividend, Stanbic IBTC said the reference price will be based on the volume-weighted average price of the company’s shares on the Nigerian Exchange for the five business days commencing from the date the shares are first quoted ex-dividend.
The scrip dividend allotment price will be communicated to shareholders through the NGX on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Shareholders will have until Friday, November 6, 2026, to make their election to receive shares rather than cash.
The company advised shareholders who have not completed their e-dividend registration to do so through their registrar or respective banks to facilitate prompt payment of the dividend.
