UBL targets sustained growth with branch, digital and Islamic banking expansion

According to Mettis Link News, United Bank Limited (PSX: UBL) recorded growth in every operating area during the first half of 2026. Standalone profit after tax reached Rs85.0bn, up from Rs63.8bn a year earlier, while earnings per share climbed to Rs33.93 from Rs25.69. The bank also declared an interim cash dividend of Rs8 per share.

Domestic branches grew from 2,009 at the close of 2025 to 2,083 by June 2026, while Islamic banking windows went from 596 to 738. Islamic banking deposits reached Rs1.35tr, against Rs962.3bn at end-2025. Costs for information technology climbed by 40% to Rs6.8bn in the first six months, a sign of the bank's push into digital and cybersecurity spending.

Capital adequacy stood at 19.43% at the end of June, down from 20.97% at end-2025, and remained above the 13.0% minimum requirement. VIS Credit Rating Company affirmed UBL's entity ratings at 'AAA/A-1+' with a Stable outlook. Employee costs increased 40% to Rs32.2bn, while operating expenses climbed 44% to Rs84.1bn.