Accra: GCB Bank PLC has reported a record Profit Before Tax of GHS3.17 billion for 2025, representing a 67.4 per cent year-on-year increase.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Bank attributed this performance to strong deposit growth, which supported loan expansion, investments, and increased fee income. Customer deposits grew 19.7 per cent to GHS41.3 billion, driving a 23 per cent expansion in the Bank's balance sheet to GHS52.6 billion. This deposit growth funded a 56.8% year-on-year expansion of the loan book to GHS16.39 billion, as credit demand recovered alongside Ghana's broader economic rebound.
Operating income rose by 40.9 per cent to GHS6.3 billion, driven by growth in both interest and non-interest income. Interest income increased by 38.3 per cent despite declining interest rates. The Bank navigated the low-interest-rate environment through active balance sheet repricing, strategic asset allocation, and proactive risk management. Non-funded income, including fees, commissions, and trading, rose 58 per cent year-on-year. Fees and commissions grew 39.9 per cent, while trading and other income surged 81.8 per cent, lifting non-funded income's share of total revenue to 27.3 per cent from 24.3 per cent in 2024.
Operating costs increased by 41.1 per cent, aligning with revenue growth and maintaining the cost-to-income ratio at 47.2 per cent. The Bank reported that its Non-Performing Loan ratio declined to 10.3 per cent from 15.1 per cent in 2024, while the cost of risk fell to 1.3 per cent from 4.3 per cent. The improvement was driven by tighter lending standards, stronger early-warning systems, improved loan recoveries, and greater borrower repayment capacity as Ghana's economy stabilized.
The Bank's capital adequacy ratio rose to 18.0 per cent in 2025 from 17.5 per cent in 2024, surpassing the regulatory minimum of 13 per cent, with cash and liquid assets at GHS14.5 billion, representing 27.5 per cent of total assets. Earnings per share reached GHS7.78, while the share price increased from GHS6.37 to GHS20.11, reflecting a capital gain of 215.7 per cent.
The Bank noted that the results marked the first year of its 2025-2028 medium-term strategy aimed at diversifying beyond a predominantly retail-funded model into wholesale, commercial, and transaction banking. Mr. Farihan Alhassan, Managing Director of the Bank, stated that the results reflect steady leadership, deliberate strategic choices, and disciplined execution across the Bank. He acknowledged that the 2026 financial year would present challenges due to margin compression from falling interest rates but affirmed that GCB Bank is well-positioned to meet client aspirations and sustain digital transformation.
During the year, the Bank launched initiatives including a sustainability programme covering climate risk, diversity, and governance, as well as the Sheagles Soar female leadership development programme and the Amber Club for its top 100 customers.