Nigeria, July 31 -- Financial services group First HoldCo witnessed a 20.7 per cent slide in net profit to N289.8 billion for the first half of the year, compared to the same period of 2024 as bottom line took a hit from increased cost pressures.

Revenue rose to N1.7 trillion from N1.4 trillion, the largest chunk coming from its commercial banking division, according to its latest unaudited earnings report issued on Wednesday.

The bank holding company reported a 75.7 per cent improvement in net interest income, a profitability metric which accounts for the difference between the cash made from loans and the money paid out for savings.

Net interest income for the period jumped to N904.8 billion from N514.9 billion during the period, tha...