Access Holdings grows profit by 29.2% to N414.13bn in H1 2026
Access Holdings Plc, on Monday announced its audited result accounts for half year ended June 30, 2026 with profit before tax at N414.1 billion, about 29.2 per cent growth from N320.57billion reported in half year ended June 30, 2025.
This double-digit growth of 29.2per cent was driven by a 70.0per cent reduction in the impairment charge and a 51.1per cent increase in net fee and commissions.
The Group’s Cost-to-Income Ratio (CIR) increased to 65.2% in H1 2026 from 51.7per cent in 2025, due to higher personnel expenses as the Group continued to invest in talent and growth initiatives across its markets. Other operating expense lines recorded more moderate growth during the period.
The Group remains focused on cost optimisation leveraging technology, automation and process improvements to reduce the cost to serve, improve efficiency and support long-term profitability.
The Group’s annualised Return on Average Equity (ROAE) closed at 18.3per cent pre-tax and 11.8per cent post-tax in H1 2026, down from 24.4% and 18.4per cent in FY 2025.
To improve ROAE, the Group is focused on growing interest income, expanding its low-cost deposit base, and increasing fee and commission income and digital revenues. It is also working to contain the cost-to-income ratio and optimise capital through disciplined deployment.
Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Innocent Ike, stated: “Our half-year results reflect the progress we are making in translating the strength and scale of Access Holdings into sustainable value for shareholders.
“Our expansion over the years has been deliberate, creating a diversified financial services group with a strong balance sheet, an extensive African and international network and capabilities to serve customers across the markets in which we operate.
“With this foundation firmly established, our focus is increasingly on unlocking the full potential of our franchise by delivering stronger business performance, enhanced customer value and sustainable long-term returns for our shareholders.”
