We’re Proud: Another Big Nigerian Bank Meets CBN’s Recapitalisation Target

• The number of Nigerian banks that have met the recapitalisation deadline of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has risen
• As of the last count, about nine commercial banks, with different licences, have met the CBN’s requirement
• With the addition of Guaranty Trust Bank, the number has risen to about 10, positioning the Nigerian banking sector on a robust footing

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) has elevated its parent bank, GTBank, into the league of fully compliant institutions under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) latest recapitalisation rules.

On Friday, August 29, 2025, GTCO confirmed a N365.85 billion capital injection via a shareholder-approved two-phase equity programme.

The move raised GTBank’s share capital from N138.19 billion to N504.04 billion, surpassing the CBN’s N500 billion requirement for banks with international licences.

A growing list of compliant banks

GTCO plans to channel the new capital into expanded branches, enriched lending capacity, upgraded IT infrastructure, and seizing emerging growth opportunities.

GTCO now joins nine other banks that have met the CBN’s recapitalisation target—a major acceleration from earlier this year.

According to BusinessDay reports, these include not just top-tier giants but also forward-leaning national and non-interest banks lining up behind them.

Earlier, five banks—Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Lotus Bank, and Jaiz Bank—had cleared the threshold ahead of schedule.

What GTBank’s move means

GTBank’s achievement is more than just regulatory compliance. It underscores investor confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector and signals access to cheaper capital and stronger lending capacity.

This bolstered capital cushion is vital as the CBN grounds its push for a resilient banking system ready to back Nigeria’s ambitions.

Sector implications: Stability meets opportunity

With eight out of 44 licensed commercial and merchant banks now meeting the new capital floors, about 18% of institutions have cleared the hurdle so far.

Those lagging include major names like UBA, First Bank, and Fidelity, though many are also making strides through rights issues and private placements.

Meanwhile, the policy is expected to spark industry consolidation, especially among smaller players, as compliance becomes the gold standard.

Looking ahead: Investors’ confidence bolstered

The GTBank capital boost reinforces confidence, but the marathon continues.

As the March 2026 deadline looms, banks still raising capital face tough choices: mergers, public listings, or aggressive fundraising.

But with GTBank and others leading the charge, the sector is steadily weaving stronger buffers to underpin Nigeria’s path to a $1 trillion economy.

Two national banks enter secret merger talks

Legit.ng previously reported that as the recapitalisation deadline set by the CBN approaches, two national banks are reportedly said to have begun merger talks to meet the regulatory deadline and remain competitive.

More and more banks are facing intense heat, with six banks having about N965 billion funding gap, a prior report by Legit.ng disclosed.

Already, five banks have scaled the recapitalisation hurdle and will proceed with their operations.