The financial services group also recorded stronger earnings in the third quarter, with profit before tax rising by 26.80 per cent to ₦190.31 billion from ₦150.09 billion in the same period last year.

Profit after tax for the nine-month period increased by 33 per cent to ₦370.36 billion, up from ₦278.48 billion in 2025. Earnings per share also climbed to ₦23.03 from ₦17.31.

The performance was supported largely by stronger trading income, higher fee and commission revenue, and lower credit impairment charges, which helped offset weaker earnings from traditional interest-generating activities and rising operating expenses.

Trading revenue recorded one of the most significant increases during the period, climbing to ₦210.13 billion from ₦23.86 billion a year earlier. The growth highlights the increasing contribution of trading activities to the group’s overall earnings.

Non-interest revenue more than doubled to ₦437.99 billion, accounting for 53.56 per cent of total income, compared with 31.85 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025.

Income from life insurance activities also rose to ₦6.67 billion from ₦4.81 billion, while other revenue declined to ₦2.89 billion from ₦7.43 billion.

The group’s segment disclosures identified Corporate and Investment Banking as its largest contributor to total income and profit before tax.

Lower credit impairment charges provided additional support for earnings by reducing the amount set aside for potential credit losses. However, operating expenses increased by 14.30 per cent to ₦285.39 billion from ₦249.69 billion.

Despite the higher costs, the growth in income helped the group deliver stronger overall profitability.

On the balance sheet, total assets stood at ₦9.60 trillion as of September 30, representing an increase of ₦978.60 billion from ₦8.62 trillion at the end of December 2025.

The expansion reflected changes in trading assets, financial investments, cash and bank balances, and other asset categories.

Total loans and advances declined by 20.90 per cent to ₦3.04 trillion from ₦3.84 trillion at the end of 2025. The reported decline was concentrated in interbank lending rather than customer loans.

Meanwhile, deposits and current accounts increased by 12.30 per cent to ₦5.37 trillion from ₦4.78 trillion, strengthening the group’s deposit base.

Retained earnings also rose significantly to ₦854.79 billion from ₦586.32 billion, reflecting the contribution of accumulated profits to the group’s financial position.

Alongside its earnings report, Stanbic IBTC announced a reference price of ₦159.86 per ordinary share for its 2026 interim scrip dividend programme on October 23.

The announcement follows the previously declared interim dividend of ₦4.50 per share, which gives eligible shareholders the option of receiving their dividend in cash or as new ordinary shares.

Shareholders who choose the scrip dividend option are required to submit their election forms by November 6, 2026. Cash dividend payments are scheduled for November 13, subject to the applicable requirements.

The scrip option allows eligible investors to receive additional shares instead of cash, while the reference price is used to determine the number of shares allocated under the programme.

Stanbic IBTC shares have also recorded gains during 2026. The supplied report puts the share price at ₦160 as of October 23, compared with ₦100 at the beginning of the year, representing an increase of approximately 60 per cent.

The group’s nine-month results point to a growing contribution from non-interest income and trading activities. Investors will continue to monitor whether these earnings drivers can be sustained, alongside credit quality, operating costs and the group’s ability to grow lending and other core financial services.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia