Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) posted a 28 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated profit in the first quarter of 2026, supported by higher investment income, stronger foreign exchange earnings and lower provisioning expenses.
The bank’s consolidated profit after tax rose to Tk199 crore in the January-March quarter from Tk155 crore a year earlier.
Earnings per share increased to Tk1.24 from Tk0.97, while net asset value per share rose to Tk32.75 from Tk26.41.
EBL Managing Director Hassan O Rashid said the bank delivered resilient performance despite slower private sector credit growth.
“We continue to remain focused on maintaining strong asset quality, capital strength and liquidity while deepening customer relationships and expanding digital capabilities,” he said.
Net interest income fell to Tk117 crore from Tk228 crore a year earlier as the bank shifted a larger portion of funds into government securities amid weaker private sector loan demand.
Interest expenses rose 16 per cent to Tk1,073 crore, while interest income from loans increased 3 per cent to Tk1,190 crore.
Investment income, however, jumped 24 per cent to Tk478 crore, helping offset pressure on lending income.
Non-funded income, including fees, commissions and foreign exchange earnings, rose 14 per cent to Tk192 crore.
Foreign exchange income surged 54 per cent to Tk57 crore, driven by higher trade flows and card transactions.
EBL’s standalone non-performing loan ratio stood at 2.80 per cent at the end of March, almost unchanged from 2.79 per cent a year earlier and below the industry average.
The bank’s standalone Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio stood at 16.71 per cent, while the consolidated ratio was 16.09 per cent, both above the regulatory minimum of 12.5 per cent.
Its Liquidity Coverage Ratio stood at 236.94 per cent and Net Stable Funding Ratio at 114.97 per cent, both exceeding the minimum requirement of 100 per cent.
Total deposits grew 20 per cent year-on-year to Tk56,207 crore, while standalone total assets rose 17 per cent to Tk76,961 crore.
EBL retained AAA long-term and ST-1 short-term domestic credit ratings from CRAB for the third consecutive year.
Moody’s also reaffirmed the bank’s B2 rating in December 2025 in line with Bangladesh’s sovereign rating ceiling.
