Nigeria, April 1 -- An appreciation of N1.537 trillion or 21.6 per cent within one year has ramped up the asset value of Access Bank Plc to N8.680 trillion, making it Nigeria's biggest lender in that rating category.

Jim Ovia-led Zenith Bank hogged the prime spot for 37 days since February 23, when the release of its audited financial statement for 2020 put its asset estimate at N8.481 trillion. But the publication on Thursday of Access Bank's earnings report means it will now take the back seat behind the latter.

Valuation has been helped by two crucial deals outside Nigeria last year that involved the acquisition of Cavmont Bank in Zambia and Transnational Bank in Kenya.

Revenue jumped to N764.717 billion from N666.754 billion, refle...