GCB Bank capital remained comfortably above regulatory requirements in 2025, underscoring the lender’s financial strength as it closed the year with improved liquidity, lower credit risk and strong shareholder returns.
According to the bank’s 2025 Annual Reports, GCB ended the year with a capital adequacy ratio of 18.0 percent, up from 17.5 percent in 2024 and well above the 13 percent regulatory minimum.
The bank also reported GHS14.5 billion in cash and liquid assets, equivalent to 27.5 percent of total assets, signaling a solid liquidity buffer.
For shareholders, the year delivered a significant upside. Earnings Per Share (EPS) rose to GHS7.78, while the bank’s stock price climbed sharply from GHS6.37 to GHS20.11, translating into a 215.7 percent capital gain over the year.
Bad loans drop sharply
A key highlight of the report was the improvement in asset quality, with the bank’s Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio falling to 10.3 percent, down from 15.1 percent in 2024.
The decline points to stronger loan performance and improved borrower repayment capacity as economic conditions stabilised.
The cost of risk also dropped significantly to 1.3 percent from 4.3 percent, helping to support the bank’s record profitability.
According to the bank, the improvement was driven by “tighter lending standards, stronger early-warning systems, improved loan recoveries, and greater borrower repayment capacity.”
New strategy begins to take shape
The 2025 performance also marked the first year of GCB Bank’s 2025–2028 medium-term strategy, which is aimed at reshaping the institution into a more diversified banking platform.
Under the strategy, the bank is moving beyond a predominantly retail-funded model toward broader operations in wholesale, commercial and transaction banking.
GCB also launched several strategic initiatives during the year, including a sustainability programme focused on climate risk, diversity and governance.
Among the flagship programmes were Sheagles Soar, which targets 30 percent female representation at Board and Management levels by 2028, and the Amber Club, designed for the bank’s top 100 customers.
The latest figures suggest GCB is not only strengthening its balance sheet but also laying the groundwork for longer-term transformation.
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