Bank of Punjab operating profit rises 34% as advances grow 28%
Bank of Punjab's operating profit before provisions and gains rose 34% year on year to Rs34.42 billion in the nine months to September 30, 2026, the bank said after its board approved the unaudited results on October 26. Profit after tax climbed 22% to Rs14.53 billion, while profit before tax rose 15% to Rs30.46 billion.
The earnings came from both sides of the balance sheet. Net interest income grew 19% to Rs69.40 billion and non-markup income excluding gains rose 47% to Rs18.04 billion, which the bank attributed to balance sheet management and a wider set of non-funded income streams. Gross advances expanded 28% to Rs1,073 billion, and average current deposits rose 25%, supporting a cheaper funding mix. Total assets stood at Rs2,456 billion and deposits at Rs1,928 billion.
Capital was reinforced by a Rs15.6 billion equity injection from the Government of Punjab during the period. At September 30 the bank's Capital Adequacy Ratio was 13.94% and its leverage ratio 4.07%, both, it said, comfortably above the State Bank of Pakistan's requirements. The bank also reported full compliance with IFRS 9 provisioning rules and a 3.03% improvement in its cost-to-income ratio excluding gains.
The results arrived alongside institutional milestones: Pakistan Credit Rating Agency upgraded the bank's long-term rating to AAA with a stable outlook, the State Bank granted in-principle approval for an overseas wholesale banking unit in Bahrain, and the bank took three honours at the Pakistan Banking Awards 2026 for agriculture inclusion, SME banking and women's inclusion.
Bank of Punjab said it would keep expanding its commercial franchise alongside its role as financial partner to the Government of Punjab, with technology, digital innovation and risk management central to plans for domestic and international growth.
