Microfinance Banks’ Non-Financial Assets Hit Record N358.8 Billion in June 2025
Non-financial assets held by Nigerian microfinance banks have surged to a record N358.787 billion as of June 2025, according to the latest Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) quarterly statistical bulletin. This milestone represents the highest level recorded since 2018, signaling the growing importance of tangible and intangible assets in the sector.
The CBN data shows that non-financial assets grew by 0.88% month-on-month, rising from N355.650 billion in May 2025. Year-on-year growth was even more pronounced, with a 57.56% increase compared to N227.707 billion in June 2024. Analysts say this consistent growth underscores microfinance banks’ increasing investment in assets beyond cash and securities.
Monthly figures further illustrate the trend. From January to March 2025, non-financial assets climbed steadily from N314.752 billion in January to N320.334 billion in March, up significantly from the same months in 2024. These assets include real estate, vehicles, equipment, patents, trademarks, and intellectual property, which provide long-term value and stability to the banks’ operations.
The bulletin also highlighted that the total assets of microfinance banks reached N5.228 trillion in May 2025, up 32% from December 2024, demonstrating the sector’s expanding financial base. Regulators view this growth as crucial for capitalization, compliance, and future recapitalization exercises, especially as these banks continue to play a key role in financial inclusion across Nigeria.
Beyond asset growth, Nigerians increased their reliance on ATMs, withdrawing N36.34 trillion in the first half of 2025—a 197.66% jump from the same period in 2024. Transaction volumes followed a similar trajectory, rising to 858.80 million withdrawals, showing that higher fees introduced by the CBN did little to curb demand. This reflects both the resilience of financial transactions and the expanding footprint of microfinance banks across the country.
source: nairametrics