Guaranty Trust Holding Co.’s (GTCO) solicitors raised their assessment of potential legal liability from cases pending against the group to no more than ₦20.8 billion at June 30, from ₦10.41 billion at the end of 2025, according to the lender’s claims-and-litigation disclosure.
The higher estimate came despite a modest reduction in the number of cases against GTCO.
The group was a defendant in 1,212 cases, down from 1,237 in December. Claimants sought a combined ₦421.43 billion and $11.75 million, compared with ₦485.34 billion and $12.32 million at year-end.
GTCO was also pursuing 472 cases as plaintiff, seeking ₦365 billion, down from 503 cases involving ₦380.2 billion.
Why the estimate matters
The ₦421.43 billion sought in naira claims is not an expected loss. It is the aggregate amount demanded by parties suing the group.
GTCO’s solicitors assess the potential liability arising from the pending cases at no more than ₦20.8 billion—about 4.9% of the naira amount claimed.
Earnings
The ₦20.8 billion lawsuit liability estimate is equivalent to about 5% of GTCO’s ₦414.18 billion group profit for the first half of 2026.
GTCO reported a 7.7% slide in profit after tax for the first half (H1) of 2026, amid a seeming struggle by the bank to reignite growth.
The stock fell by 4.5% to ₦132.50 per share on heavy volume of 88.3 million shares (about 3.6 times the average 30-day volume of 24.5 million shares) as investors digested the earnings.
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