BY ADEOLA ANIKE
As Nigeria’s banking sector continues to play a critical role in economic recovery extending credit to critical sectors of the nation’s economy, two of the country’s banks show aggressive balance sheet expansion, reporting a combined N19.4 trillion in customer loans.

This is even as cumulative deposits in both banks surged toward the N41trillion mark, according to their latest financial disclosures.
​The figures, drawn from Ecobank Transnational Inc. and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, underscore a period of high liquidity and increased credit activity despite a volatile macroeconomic environment in Africa’s most populous economy.

The pan-African lender, Ecobank, dominated the figures in its unaudited 2025 financial statement. The bank reported an 11% increase in loans and advances, reaching 17.09 trillion naira, up from 15.35 trillion naira the previous year.

​The growth in lending was supported by a robust influx of liquidity. Customer deposits at Ecobank jumped 15%, hitting N36.45 trillion by the end of 2025, compared to N31.64 trillion in 2024.

​While Ecobank saw upward movement across the board, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc reported a more nuanced performance. The lender’s customer deposits saw a massive 45% surge, climbing to N4.37 trillion  from N3.01 trillion in 2024.

​However, its lending appetite appeared more cautious. Loans and advances to customers saw a slight marginal decline.

​The widening gap between deposits and loans at these institutions—totaling roughly 40.8 trillion naira in deposits versus 19.44 trillion naira in loans, according to market observers, suggests a significant liquidity cushion.

Analysts suggest that, while banks are successfully attracting capital, the high-interest-rate environment in Nigeria may be tempering credit demand for some institutions.