United News of Bangladesh

State-owned Sonali Bank PLC posted a record Tk 8,017.36 crore in operating profit in 2025, underscoring a sharp turnaround in financial performance driven by higher income, improved governance and lower loan defaults. The operating profit rose by Tk 2,322.80 crore from Tk 5,694.55 crore a year earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Shawkat Ali Khan disclosed the figures during a meeting with journalists at the bank’s Motijheel head office on Tuesday. After provisioning, Sonali Bank expects net profit to exceed Tk 1,500 crore, Khan said, describing the jump in earnings within a single year as a ‘major achievement’ for the country’s largest state-owned lender. For the first time in years, the bank no longer faces a capital shortfall. Its Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) has crossed the regulatory minimum of 10 percent, marking what Khan termed a ‘massive victory’ in restoring financial stability. The bank has also made progress in curbing non-performing loans (NPLs). As of December 25, 2025, the default loan ratio stood at 15.4 percent. Sonali Bank aims to bring NPLs down to 11–12 percent in 2026 and into single digits by 2027. Read More: Sonali Bank reports Tk5,634 crore operational profit in 2024 Recoveries are already gaining momentum, with Tk 745 crore collected from the bank’s top 20 defaulters, the MD said. Despite the improved performance, Sonali Bank is still awaiting substantial receivables from government-linked projects. The bank is owed Tk 5,500 crore in letter of credit (LC) commissions related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. Management is also working to reduce loan concentration risks. At present, 37 percent of total loans are concentrated in five branches. Large loan exposures are being redistributed across other branches to minimise institutional risk. Khan said tighter credit screening and stronger governance have helped prevent major irregularities in recent years, in contrast to past scandals such as the Hallmark loan fraud. “Public confidence remains high, which is reflected in the steady inflow of deposits,” he said. Sonali Bank plans to announce new business targets for 2026 soon, with a focus on further boosting income and sustaining performance gains.