La Régionale Bank significantly improved its profitability in 2025, reflecting a broader shift in its business model and faster growth in lending activity.
According to its audited financial statements, the bank posted net profit of CFA821 million, up from CFA163 million in 2024, an increase of 403% in one year.
The performance follows a strategic repositioning beyond retail banking. A company official told Investir au Cameroun that the bank has focused more on corporate clients, particularly through guarantees and credit financing, supported by strong deposit growth.
Lending activity expanded rapidly. The bank’s loan portfolio rose by more than 50%, from about CFA26.8 billion in 2024 to over CFA40 billion in 2025. Crossing the CFA40 billion mark signals a more aggressive push into credit in an increasingly competitive banking market.
At the same time, La Régionale Bank strengthened its funding base. Deposits reached CFA51 billion at the end of 2025, up from around CFA38 billion a year earlier, a 34% increase. This growth helped support the expansion of its operations.
Despite the sharp rise in profit, the bank will not pay dividends. Of the CFA821 million earned, 10% will go to legal reserves, or CFA82 million, and 15% to additional reserves, or CFA123 million. The remaining 75%, or CFA616 million, will be retained earnings. This decision reflects a focus on strengthening capital.
The balance sheet also expanded, reaching CFA81.2 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared with CFA64.2 billion a year earlier, a 26% increase. The growth largely reflects higher lending volumes.
Since entering the banking sector in 2022 after transitioning from a microfinance institution, La Régionale Bank has continued to scale up its operations. It now operates a network of 42 branches and is described as the only financial institution listed on the Central African Stock Exchange (BVMAC).
With profit, lending, deposits, and total assets all rising, the bank’s growth accelerated in 2025. The key question now is whether it can sustain this momentum in a market where competition is intensifying and where the quality of loan portfolios remains critical.
Amina Malloum
