Zenith Bank Assures Investors of Exit from CBN Forbearance by June 30

Zenith Bank Assures Investors of Exit from CBN Forbearance by June 30

Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-1 Capital, has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting all regulatory requirements necessary to exit the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forbearance regime by June 30, 2025.

The bank gave this assurance in a statement submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, amid increased regulatory scrutiny following the CBN’s recent directive suspending dividend payments and intensifying oversight on banks with unresolved forbearance-related loans or infractions of the Single Obligor Limit (SOL).

Clarifying its position, Zenith Bank stated, “Our exposure under the Single Obligor Limit (SOL) forbearance relates solely to a single obligor. This exposure will be brought within the applicable regulatory limit on or before June 30, 2025.”

The bank also addressed other areas of concern, confirming that forbearance on additional credit facilities applies to only two of its customers. “We have made substantial provisions in respect of these facilities and have taken appropriate and comprehensive steps to ensure full provisioning by June 30, 2025,” the statement read.

Zenith Bank expressed confidence in its financial strength, noting that it has already exceeded the new regulatory capital threshold of ₦500 billion set by the CBN. “We are well positioned to continue delivering value to all our key stakeholders,” the bank declared.

Reassuring shareholders of continued value, Zenith Bank said it remains optimistic about meeting dividend expectations for the 2025 financial year.

Zenith Bank has maintained its reputation as a leading player in Nigeria’s financial services sector, driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a robust digital infrastructure. The bank’s customer-centric approach and sound financial performance have earned it numerous accolades.

The bank was recently ranked as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine, alongside several other local and international recognitions.