SCB Pakistan Profit Falls to Rs32.9B

Karachi, August 26, 2025, 09:34 PM PKT — Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited has reported a profit before tax of Rs32.9 billion for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, a steep drop from Rs49.3 billion last year, as per official financials, reflecting market challenges despite revenue of Rs44.4 billion, down 24% year-on-year due to lower interest rates, partly cushioned by non-funded income growth and a reduced cost of funds. Operating expenses surged 13%, but the cost-to-income ratio held at 27%, bolstered by a Rs0.6 billion net release from recoveries and risk management.

Total deposits fell 17% to Rs697 billion under a deposit optimisation initiative, with current accounts rising to 59% of the base from 48%, while net advances jumped Rs39 billion (23%), signaling strong lending growth. The bank maintained a Return on Equity of 28.8% and a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 21.5%, with the Board of Directors declaring an interim cash dividend of 35% (Rs3.50 per share) for H1 2025. Web context on banking performance shows past volatility, while posts found on X reflect mixed reactions—some note resilience, others question profit decline. Critically, the narrative of “financial strength” may mask underlying pressures—web data hints at market shifts, and X sentiment suggests distrust in sustained growth, pointing to potential risks.