Karachi: Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited (SCBPL) has announced its financial results for the period ending September 30, 2026, highlighting a 14% increase in total deposits, amounting to PKR 739 billion. This growth is attributed to the bank's deposit optimization initiative, alongside economic stabilization in Pakistan, which saw a GDP growth of 3.65% in FY-26.

The bank's directors presented the report on October 29, 2026, outlining the financial performance and strategic priorities. Despite a decrease in profit before tax to PKR 37.1 billion from PKR 46.1 billion in the previous year, the bank maintained strong cost discipline with operating expenses slightly reduced by 1%.

Economically, Pakistan demonstrated resilience with a stable exchange rate and moderate inflation, despite global oil price hikes and supply chain issues. The GDP growth is projected between 3.5% and 4.5% for FY-27, supported by strengthening large-scale manufacturing and contained fiscal imbalances.

According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), SCBPL's net advances increased by 15% to PKR 245.7 billion, reflecting economic momentum. The bank's investments, however, decreased from PKR 478.4 billion to PKR 331 billion over the same period.

Foreign direct investment and an IMF agreement on extended facilities contributed to Pakistan's macroeconomic improvement, with access to USD 1.2 billion under these arrangements. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported foreign exchange reserves at USD 21.5 billion as of October 9, 2026.

SCBPL's revenue fell by PKR 9.8 billion, impacted by lower interest rates. However, a prudent risk approach resulted in a net release of PKR 1.2 billion in credit loss allowances. The bank's earnings per share decreased from PKR 5.82 to PKR 4.62 year-on-year.

The banking sector in Pakistan remained robust with an industry-wide capital adequacy ratio of 19.6% and an advances to deposit ratio of 35.5%. The sector's non-performing loans stood at 5.5% by the end of H1-26, down from 7.4% in H1-25.

As part of its strategic pillars, SCBPL continues to focus on network growth, affluent client engagement, emerging affluent market expansion, and sustainability initiatives. The bank is also investing in digital capabilities to enhance client experiences and operational efficiency.

Overall, SCBPL is poised to continue its growth strategy, aligning with Pakistan's macroeconomic progress and leveraging its global network and digital advancements.