Fidelity Bank Plc has received approval from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to postpone the publication of its audited financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2026.
The lender disclosed the extension in a regulatory notice issued on August 21, saying the audit of its half-year accounts is still undergoing finalisation.
Under the new timeline, Fidelity Bank is expected to publish its H1 2026 audited financial statements by September 30, provided the necessary regulatory approval is secured.
Audit Process Still Underway
Fidelity Bank explained that its auditors are yet to complete the review of the half-year accounts.
Once the process is concluded, the financial statements will be forwarded to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for regulatory approval.
Only after obtaining the required approval will the bank release the audited results to shareholders and the wider investing public.
The lender said the additional regulatory steps could push the publication beyond the deadline normally required under NGX listing rules, prompting it to seek an extension.
CBN Approval Remains a Key Requirement
The bank’s request for additional time was approved by the NGX, allowing Fidelity Bank to complete the outstanding audit and regulatory procedures without breaching its market disclosure obligations.
Fidelity Bank said the accounts will first be presented to the CBN after the audit has been completed, before they are formally published.
The extension therefore gives the lender additional room to complete the process while maintaining compliance with the requirements governing listed companies on the Nigerian capital market.
Investors Await Details of H1 Performance
The delayed results mean investors will have to wait longer for a clearer picture of Fidelity Bank’s performance during the first half of 2026.
The audited accounts are expected to shed light on several important indicators, including revenue and earnings, interest income, lending growth, asset quality and the bank’s capital position.
The figures will also offer investors a better understanding of how Fidelity Bank has performed amid ongoing changes and regulatory developments within Nigeria’s banking sector.
Trading Restriction Remains in Place
Fidelity Bank also reminded insiders and connected persons that its closed trading period remains effective.
The restriction will continue until 24 hours after the eventual publication of the H1 2026 audited financial statements.
The measure is designed to prevent directors, employees, advisers and other connected individuals who may have access to unpublished price-sensitive information from trading in Fidelity Bank shares before the information is made available to the broader market.
September 30 Becomes the New Target
With the NGX extension in place, September 30 is now the approved deadline for Fidelity Bank’s H1 2026 audited financial statements, subject to the bank obtaining the required CBN clearance.
The development reflects the additional time required to complete the audit and satisfy regulatory procedures before the results can be released.
For shareholders and market participants, the focus will now shift to the completion of the audit and subsequent regulatory approval as they await the bank’s detailed first-half financial performance.
Summary
Fidelity Bank Plc has secured NGX approval to extend the deadline for publishing its audited H1 2026 financial statements to September 30.
The bank said its audit is still being finalised and that the accounts must subsequently receive CBN approval before publication.
Until the results are released, the lender’s closed trading period for insiders and connected persons will remain in force.
