NBP knocks it out: CY25 profit 3.2× Rs35 dividend

February 25, 2026 (MLN): National Bank of Pakistan (PSX: NBP) reported a remarkable profit after tax of Rs85.91bn for the year ended December 31, 2025, surging 3.2 times compared to Rs26.87bn in FY2024.

The bank has recommended a final cash dividend of Rs35 per share, equivalent to 350%, marking the highest payout in its history even surpassing pre-2017 levels.

This represents the best dividend payout by any bank in Pakistan to date, emphasizing NBP’s commitment to rewarding its shareholders.

The bank's basic earnings per share soared to Rs40.38 from Rs12.63 in the corresponding period of the previous year.

NBP's mark-up, return, and interest earned declined 28% YoY to Rs781.11bn from Rs1,089.41bn.

However, mark-up, return, and interest expensed fell at a sharper pace of 42% to Rs532.60bn from Rs918.53bn, resulting in net mark-up and interest income the bank's gross profit surging 45% to Rs248.51bn from Rs170.89bn in the prior year.

Fee and commission income rose 10% to Rs27.99bn from Rs25.48bn. Dividend income slipped 4% to Rs5.88bn from Rs6.10bn.

Foreign exchange income more than tripled, climbed 164% to Rs15.58 billion from Rs5.91 billion, driven by the realization of exchange gains following the closure of certain overseas branches, while gain on securities declined 50% to Rs14.00bn from Rs27.89bn.

Net loss on derecognition of financial assets at amortised cost widened 98% to Rs1.31bn from Rs662.5m. Other income grew 54% to Rs1.09bn from Rs707.9m.

Total income rose 32% to Rs311.74bn from Rs236.31bn in the prior year.

Operating expenses declined sharply by 30% to Rs124.78bn from Rs177.34bn, while other charges eased marginally by 5% to Rs39.0m from Rs41.0m, bringing total non-markup and interest expenses down 30% to Rs124.82bn from Rs177.38bn.

Profit before credit loss allowance and provisions surged 217% to Rs186.93bn from Rs58.94bn.

Credit loss allowance, provisions, and write-offs, however, jumped 255% to Rs8.01bn from Rs2.26bn.

Profit before taxation increased 216% to Rs178.91bn from Rs56.68bn in the corresponding period last year.

The bank recorded an income tax expense of Rs93.00bn, up 212% from Rs29.81bn, with the substantially higher tax burden moderating the net profit growth to 220%.

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