KARACHI, April 26, 2025 — Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited (SCBPL) has announced a resilient financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, reporting a profit before tax of Rs. 17.0 billion. While this marks a decrease from Rs. 24.7 billion in the same period last year, the Bank remains optimistic amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The Bank posted revenues of Rs. 23.1 billion for the quarter, down by Rs. 6.4 billion year-on-year, primarily due to a sharp decline in interest rates. This impact was partially offset by a rise in non-funded income and a reduction in the cost of funds.
Despite an 11% increase in expenses driven by inflation and continued investments in infrastructure and talent, SCBPL maintained industry leadership with the lowest cost-to-income ratio of 25%. A prudent risk management approach and recoveries of bad debts helped contain the loan impairment charge to a modest Rs. 0.3 billion.
On the liabilities side, the Bank’s total deposits stood at Rs. 726 billion, a 13% decrease from the beginning of the year. However, the deposit mix improved significantly, with current accounts now making up 54% of the total deposit base, compared to 48% last year.
Net advances grew by a robust Rs. 54 billion, a 31% increase in Q1 2025, signaling strong momentum in lending amid a more favorable interest rate environment.
SCBPL reported a solid Return on Equity (ROE) of 28.9% and a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 19.0%, positioning the Bank well for future growth and expansion.
Commenting on the results, Rehan Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer & Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan, stated:
“Standard Chartered Pakistan’s results reflect a resilient start to the year underpinned by prudent risk management, disciplined execution, and continued trust from our clients. The current lower interest rate environment has supported a healthy uptick in lending which bodes well for business expansion. We have seen encouraging momentum across key segments and remain focused on delivering sustainable growth and contributing meaningfully to Pakistan’s economy.”
Beyond financial performance, SCBPL continues to demonstrate its commitment to social impact through its flagship global initiative, Futuremakers by Standard Chartered. In Pakistan, the Bank runs several programs aimed at promoting gender equality, economic inclusion, and employability for disadvantaged communities.
The SC Women in Tech program has supported over 145 women-led businesses since its launch in 2019, providing access to funding and business development resources. Meanwhile, the Goal programme has empowered over 90,000 adolescent girls across Pakistan through training in financial literacy, life skills, and employability since its inception in 2016.
Additionally, the Bank continues its partnership with Karachi United, recently launching the seventh edition of the Youth League Football Tournament to promote sports and healthy activities among children.
With a strong foundation and a future-ready strategy focused on digital transformation, cross-border capabilities, and wealth management, SCBPL is well-positioned to navigate the evolving economic landscape and continue delivering best-in-class services to its clients.
