Karachi: Pakistan's economy showed signs of recovery with a GDP growth of 3.70% in the fiscal year 2025-26, an increase from 3.18% in the previous year, as detailed in Samba Bank Limited's half-yearly report dated September 2, 2026. This growth was attributed to effective macroeconomic management, fiscal improvements, and a robust performance in large-scale manufacturing. Despite these gains, the capital and money markets faced significant volatility due to regional geopolitical issues towards the end of June 2026.
According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Samba Bank Limited reported a net profit after tax of PKR 274 million for the half-year ending June 30, 2026, up from PKR 185 million in the same period last year. The bank's earnings per share rose to PKR 0.27 from PKR 0.18. However, the bank faced a 25% decline in net interest income, attributed to a reduction in the policy rate, while non-interest income for the period was recorded at PKR 805 million.
Operating expenses increased by 6% despite the expansion of the bank's branch network with 17 new branches, demonstrating a focus on cost optimization and operational efficiency. Total assets grew by 10.5% to PKR 228.26 billion as of June 30, 2026, with significant investment increases contributing to this growth. Interbank borrowings rose by PKR 42.47 billion, and deposits stood at PKR 104.44 billion.
In terms of credit rating, The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited maintained Samba Bank's entity ratings at 'AA/A+' with a stable outlook, highlighting the bank's high credit quality and strong liquidity positions. The Current Account (CA) mix improved from 24.7% to 30.0%, and the Current and Savings Accounts (CASA) mix rose from 59.8% to 71.2%, reflecting enhanced efforts to strengthen the low-cost deposit base.
A strategic development reported in the document is the receipt of a non-binding offer from Najd Gateway Holding Company for the Saudi National Bank’s 100% stake in Samba Bank Limited, representing 84.51% of the bank's shares. This potential transaction remains subject to necessary approvals and the execution of definitive agreements.