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Berhan Bank Posts Sharp Earnings Surge Despite Regulatory Shifts

Oct 28 , 2025

Berhan Bank posted a notable upswing in profitability, registering a gross profit of 2.5 billion Br for the fiscal year ended June 2025, an increase of one billion Birr from the previous year.

Shareholders convened at the Millennium Hall, on Africa Avenue (Bole Road) on October 28, 2025, where they were delighted with the news of a robust 54.7pc return on equity, up 36pc year-on-year.

The Bank’s President, Ermiyas Tefera, acknowledged the year’s regulatory volatility, particularly surrounding foreign exchange policies.

“There is a bold challenge that isn’t an opportunity for all banks at first,” he told shareholders, describing the change as disruptive but ultimately manageable for Berhan Bank. “There isn’t much to gain from this change, nor is there any harm.”

The Bank’s performance improved notably post the previous shareholders’ meeting, transforming what Ermiyas described as a “difficult year” into a turning point.

Berhan’s total assets rose to 58.9 billion Br, a 28pc increase from 46 billion Br a year earlier. This growth was fuelled by an uptick in loans, investments in government securities, Central Bank bills, and increased cash reserves. Total revenue climbed to 10.3 billion Br, up by 51pc from the preceding period. Interest income represented 18.5pc of revenues, while non-interest income recorded a dramatic 233.6pc jump, partly a result of the government’s repeal of a longstanding directive requiring banks to surrender 70pc of foreign currency earnings to the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE).

Operational expansion continued, albeit selectively. The Bank added 11 new branches in 2024/25, growing its network to 376 outlets nationwide, even as 18 underperforming locations were shuttered or merged.

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