Access Holdings Plc has been named Nigeria’s leading bank in terms of asset quality and ranked second overall among Tier 1 banks, according to the newly released 2025 Tier 1 Banking Report by Proshare.
Titled “The Class of 2025: Getting Bigger, Bolder, and Dominant,” the report places Access Holdings in the 91st percentile, behind Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) but ahead of Zenith, FirstHoldco, UBA, and GTCO.
Access Holdings achieved the industry’s best Non-Performing Loan Ratio (NPLR) at 2.76 per cent, reflecting disciplined credit management. The group also posted a strong capital adequacy ratio of 20.46 per cent, earnings growth of 88.05 per cent, and a net interest margin of 6.80 per cent.
Total assets rose to ₦41.5 trillion in the 2024 financial year, with loans reaching ₦13.1 trillion. The cost of risk was maintained at 1.25 per cent.
Analysts described this combination of financial robustness, scale, and forward-thinking strategy as a benchmark for sustainability amid evolving sector dynamics.
Proshare Chairman, Olufemi Awoyemi, commended Access Holdings for its consistent performance. “Its growing capital strength, successful fundraising, and pan-African footprint make it a standout institution on the continent,” he said.
He clarified that ETI’s top position reflected its broader African operations and lower regulatory exposure in Nigeria.
Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, welcomed the recognition, stating that it validated the bank’s consistent focus on execution and long-term impact.
“Sustained success is built on a careful balance between growth and resilience. We intend to continue innovating with purpose and precision,” she said.
The Proshare Bank Strength Index (PBSI), now enhanced with additional parameters, evaluates not only financial indicators but also governance, digital transformation, and stakeholder value.
Access Holdings’ strong showing across these measures underscores its role as a key force shaping the future of African banking, especially as the recapitalisation wave reshapes Nigeria’s financial sector.