Zenith Bank Targets June 30 Exit from CBN Forbearance, Assures Shareholders of Continued Dividends
Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-1 capital, has reaffirmed its commitment to exit the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) regulatory forbearance regime by 30 June 2025 and continue dividend payments to shareholders.
The assurance comes amid intensified scrutiny of Nigerian banks’ capital positions following recent CBN directives suspending dividend payments and tightening oversight for banks with outstanding forbearance-related exposures or breaches of the Single Obligor Limit (SOL).
In a statement submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Group on 17 June 2025, Zenith Bank clarified that its SOL exposure involves only one obligor and will be brought within regulatory limits before the deadline. The bank further disclosed that forbearance on other credit facilities applies to just two customers, adding that significant provisioning has already been made and full coverage will be achieved by the end of June.
Zenith also emphasised its robust financial health, having successfully raised and surpassed the new regulatory capital threshold of ₦500 billion, thereby strengthening its capacity to deliver sustained value to shareholders and stakeholders.
Over the years, Zenith Bank has maintained leadership in Nigeria’s financial services sector through strong service delivery, innovative digital solutions, and sound financial performance. The bank’s consistent excellence has earned it numerous prestigious awards.
Among its many recognitions, Zenith Bank has been ranked the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for 15 consecutive years (2009–2024) by The Banker magazine. It has also received multiple awards for best digital solutions, corporate governance, sustainability, transparency, and innovation across various national and international platforms, including The Banker, Global Finance, Euromoney, World Finance, International Banker, Ethical Boardroom, BusinessDay, Nairametrics, and SERAS CSR Awards Africa.
The bank has also been named Nigeria’s Most Valuable Banking Brand by The Banker magazine (2020–2021) and the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa (2024).
Zenith Bank reiterated its commitment to corporate governance, transparency, financial stability, and delivering superior returns to its shareholders in 2025 and beyond.
