Highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.29 lakh crore reported by Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in the first nine months (April-December) of FY 2024-25, marking a 31.3% year-on-year growth                       

PSBs achieve highest ever aggregate net profit, improved asset quality, robust business growth and adequate capital buffers

The performance of Public Sector Banks  has shown significant improvement on key financial parameters during the first three quarters of the current FY 2024-25. Highlights as on 31.12.2024, are as under –

• Record net profit growth of 31.3% (y-o-y) to achieve highest ever aggregate net profit of Rs. 1,29,426 Crore and aggregate operating profit of Rs. 2,20,243 Crore, in first nine months of the financial year.
• Improved asset quality visible from significantly low Net NPA ratio at 0.59% (Aggregate net NPA outstanding of Rs. 61,252 Crore)
• Aggregate business growth of 11.0% (y-o-y), with improved aggregate deposit growth at 9.8% (y-o-y). Total aggregate business of PSBs reached Rs. 242.27 lakh crore.
• Robust credit growth of 12.4%, led by retail credit growth of 16.6%, agriculture credit growth of 12.9% and MSME credit growth of 12.5%.
• Built-up of adequate capital buffers, with Aggregate Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio of 14.83%, significantly above the minimum requirement of 11.5%.

PSBs are adequately capitalized and well poised to meet credit demands of all sectors of the economy, with special thrust on Agriculture, MSME and Infrastructure Sector.

The policy and process reforms have resulted in enhanced systems and processes for credit discipline, recognition and resolution of stressed assets, responsible lending, improved governance, financial inclusion initiatives, technology adoption etc.  These measures have led to a sustained financial health and robustness of banking sector as a whole which is reflected in the current performance of the PSBs.

Capital adequacy supports public sector banks' readiness to meet credit demand and sustain robust credit growth. Public sector banks showed stronger first-nine-month performance with record aggregate net and operating profits, materially lower net NPA ratios indicating improved asset quality, and broad-based credit growth in retail, agriculture and MSME. Deposit mobilization and overall business expansion improved, and aggregate capital-to-risk-weighted-assets ratios remained comfortably above regulatory minimums, reflecting enhanced capacity to meet credit demand amid reforms in credit discipline, stressed-asset resolution, governance and technology.