As part of FirstBank's strategy to sustain and consolidate its leading position, a large proportion of profits is normally ploughed back to fortify and shore up the capital base which is currently above the statutory minimum. Also, in keeping with the Bank's tradition of ensuring that shareholders receive adequate returns on their investments, First Bank has consistently paid bountiful dividends to its shareholders.

In 1993, a total of N150.64 million at 70k per share was paid to shareholders as dividends while a bonus of one new share for every one share held was issued. In 1994, a bonus issue of one new share for every four held, alongside 50k per share was paid to shareholders. Investors smiled home with 70k per share in 1995 as the Bank gave out N376.60 million as well as one new share for every four held. In 1996, a bonus issue of one new share for every four held and a total sum of N377 million at 56k per share were given as returns to investors. FirstBank, during the 1997/98 accounting year made history in the Nigerian banking industry when 100k per share (totaling N1.041 billion) was distributed as dividends to shareholders. This was widely acclaimed as unprecedented in the Nigerian banking industry. This Bank had severally broken this record over the last decade. Below is a summary of the Bank’s dividend history in the last five years: