Standard Chartered Pakistan’s profit falls to Rs46bn

KARACHI: Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Ltd reported a profit before tax of Rs46.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, down from Rs75.5 billion in the same period last year, as lower interest rates weighed on income.

Revenue declined 30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs63.3 billion, partly offset by a reduction in funding costs. Operating expenses rose 10 per cent due to inflation and continued investment in infrastructure and staff, though the bank maintained a cost-to-income ratio of 28 per cent. A prudent risk approach and recoveries of bad debts led to a net release of Rs0.6 billion during the period.

Total deposits stood at Rs662 billion, a decline of 21 per cent since the start of the year, driven by the bank’s deposit optimisation strategy. The share of current accounts improved to 59 per cent of total deposits, compared with 48 per cent a year earlier. On the lending side, net advances grew 39 per cent, or Rs66 billion, reflecting stronger credit demand.

Standard Chartered said it continued to invest in digital capabilities and compliance systems while maintaining a focus on efficiency and balance sheet strength. The bank reported a return on equity of 27.1 per cent and a capital adequacy ratio of 19.75 per cent as of September 2025.

Chief Executive Officer Rehan Shaikh said the results reflected “the strength of the bank’s business fundamentals and diversified portfolio”, adding that Standard Chartered remains focused on supporting clients and employees.

Standard Chartered Pakistan empowers business clients through Straight2BankStandard Chartered Bank Pakistan held an exclusive client session to showcase its flagship digital banking platform Straight2Bank alongside a presentation from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on RAAST, the country’s instant payment system, a separate statement said on Wednesday.

The event highlighted the bank’s payment capabilities, and how seamless integration between the two platforms is enabling businesses to benefit from greater efficiency, transparency and inclusivity in digital transactions.

Straight2Bank is the bank’s comprehensive banking platform for corporate clients providing a single, secure interface for cash, trade and transactions across markets. The platform has a simplified user interface, designed for mobility and provides clients with real-time visibility and control over their financial operations helping them enhance liquidity management and improve operational agility. With advanced business analytics, integration with a client’s ERP system and robust cybersecurity, the platform simplifies treasury operations and supports smarter, date-driven decision making across markets.