State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) reported a 52% increase in its net profit, reaching Rs 4,567 crore for the March quarter of FY25, compared to Rs 3,010 crore in the same period last year.For the quarter, the bank’s total income rose to Rs 36,705 crore, up from Rs 32,361 crore a year earlier, as per a regulatory filing.Interest income also saw growth, increasing to Rs 31,989 crore from Rs 28,113 crore in the fourth quarter of FY24.On the asset quality front, the bank’s gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) improved to 3.95% of gross advances, down from 5.73% at the end of March 2024. Net NPAs also decreased to 0.40% from 0.73%.PNB’s capital adequacy ratio strengthened to 17.01% from 15.97% at the end of FY24.For the full financial year 2024-25, the bank’s profit more than doubled to Rs 16,630 crore, compared to Rs 8,245 crore in the previous year. Total income for the year increased to Rs 1,38,070 crore, up from Rs 1,20,285 crore.The bank’s board has recommended a dividend of Rs 2.90 per equity share of Rs 2 each for FY25, subject to shareholder approval. The board also approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 8,000 crore by issuing Basel III-compliant bonds (Rs 4,000 crore in Additional Tier-I bonds and Rs 4,000 crore in Tier-II bonds), which will be raised in one or more tranches during FY26.
