GCB Bank posts 69.04% profit growth in 2025
GCB Bank delivered a strong financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2025, recording a 69.04% year-on-year increase in net earnings to GH¢2.04 billion, up from GH¢1.21 billion in 2024, driven by robust growth in operating income, expanding lending activity, and improved non-interest income streams, according to the 2026 First Quarter Credit Assessment Report by Tesah Capital, a wealth management, investment and pensions firm.
The report said the bank remained fundamentally strong, supported by solid capital adequacy, resilient liquidity, and a marked improvement in asset quality, even as its liquidity ratio saw a marginal decline amid balance sheet expansion.
Earnings driven by strong income growth
GCB Bank’s performance was anchored on a 40.77% year-on-year increase in total operating income, which rose from GH¢4.45 billion in 2024 to GH¢6.26 billion in 2025.
Net interest income increased by 35.23%, rising from GH¢3.38 billion to GH¢4.56 billion, supported by expansion in interest-earning assets.
Loans and advances to customers grew significantly by 56.78%, from GH¢10.23 billion in 2024 to GH¢16.04 billion in 2025, reflecting stronger lending activity across the bank’s portfolio.
Investment securities also rose by 21.77%, increasing from GH¢13.43 billion to GH¢16.35 billion, further strengthening interest income generation.
Non-interest income also contributed strongly to overall performance.
Net fees and commission income increased by 40.25% from GH¢603.47 million in 2024 to GH¢846.34 million in 2025, while net trading income surged by 78.96% from GH¢460.83 million to GH¢824.68 million.
Efficiency and profitability trends
The report noted that operating efficiency improved slightly during the period.
The cost-to-income ratio declined marginally from 46.14% in 2024 to 46.04% in 2025, reflecting improved cost discipline despite strong revenue growth.
Tesah Capital added that key profitability indicators such as Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) are expected to reflect the significant earnings improvement recorded during the year.
Liquidity remains solid despite marginal dip
GCB Bank maintained a strong liquidity position in 2025, although key indicators recorded slight declines compared to the previous year.
The bank’s liquid ratio stood at 67.52% in 2025, down from 69.76% in 2024, indicating continued ability to meet short-term obligations.
Despite this, liquid assets — comprising cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities — rose by 11.09% year-on-year from GH¢27.87 billion to GH¢30.80 billion, strengthening the bank’s liquidity buffer and operational flexibility.
On the funding side, customer deposits grew by 20.48%, increasing from GH¢34.07 billion in 2024 to GH¢41.05 billion in 2025, further reinforcing the bank’s resource base.
Strong capital position
The bank’s capital strength improved during the period under review.
Its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) rose to 18.02% in 2025 from 17.47% in 2024, remaining comfortably above the Bank of Ghana’s regulatory minimum requirement of 13%.
Tesah Capital said this reflects strong capital buffers and resilience against potential financial shocks.
Asset quality improves significantly
GCB Bank recorded a notable improvement in asset quality, with its Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio declining sharply from 15.06% in 2024 to 10.31% in 2025.
This improvement came despite a substantial 56.78% expansion in the loan book, indicating stronger credit risk management and enhanced recovery efforts.
Conclusion and outlook
Tesah Capital concluded that GCB Bank remains fundamentally strong, supported by solid liquidity, strong capital adequacy, improved profitability, and better asset quality.
It noted that the bank’s liquidity position remains sufficient to meet obligations as they fall due, while its capital adequacy ratio of 18.02% remains well above regulatory requirements.
The report further highlighted strong asset growth, underpinned by a 20.48% increase in customer deposits and continued expansion in loans and investment securities.
Profitability was described as significantly improved, driven by strong growth in net interest income, fees and commissions, and trading income.
Although liquidity ratios recorded a marginal decline, the bank’s expanded liquid asset base and strong deposit growth helped offset pressure.
Consequently, Tesah Capital recommended short-term fixed deposit investments (91–182 days) with GCB Bank, citing its strong financial fundamentals and improved earnings trajectory.
