Sterling Financial Holding Company Limited has recorded a 31.5 per cent growth in gross earnings to N279.6 billion in the half-year ended 30 June 2026, over the corresponding period in 2025.

The parent company of Sterling Bank disclosed this in its unaudited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2026, released on Sunday, which showed broad-based growth across key performance indices.

The growth in revenue was led by a 33.7 per cent jump in interest income to N223.6 billion as the loan book expanded and asset yields improved.

Net interest income climbed 41.0 per cent to N137.4 billion, while non-interest income grew by 23.3 per cent to N56.0 billion, supported by notable increases in fee income and other operating income lines.

Sterling Financial continued to strengthen its balance sheet with total assets expanding by 19.3 per cent to N4.67 trillion, supported by a 21.1 per cent growth in customer deposits to N3.62 trillion and disciplined expansion in the loan portfolio.

The Group’s profit before tax, PBT, rose 21.9 per cent to N55.5 billion, while profit after tax, PAT, rose 20.4 per cent to N50.3 billion.

Return on average equity stood at 20.6 per cent and return on average assets improved to 2.35 per cent from 2.05 per cent.

Sterling Financial’s shareholders’ funds increased 27.8 per cent to N547.7 billion in the period under review, primarily reflecting the N96.6 billion raised through a public offer of 13.8 billion ordinary shares.

The Group’s share price has also appreciated over 15 per cent from its year-opening position, reflecting renewed investor interest in the franchise ahead of the results release.