LAGOS — First HoldCo Plc, the parent company of FirstBank, recorded a profit after tax of N744.5 billion in the nine months to September 2026, up from N450.9 billion a year earlier, according to its unaudited results.

Gross earnings rose to N2.9 trillion from N2.7 trillion. Net interest income fell 16 per cent to N1.3 trillion, but net fee income rose 48.1 per cent to N316.4 billion and impairment charges fell 28.3 per cent. The group recorded a gain of N104.6 billion on financial instruments, compared with a loss of N72.8 billion a year earlier.

Commercial banking accounted for 94 per cent of turnover. Total assets stood at N32.2 trillion. In July, the board adopted a policy of paying out at least 60 per cent of profit after tax as dividends.