These are the Top 10 Most Profitable Banks in Pakistan

The outgoing year proved to be an interesting one for the banking sector, which posted combined profits of Rs. 671 billion in 2025, up from Rs. 600 billion in 2024, despite a cut in the benchmark policy rate.

However, the performance of individual banks varied significantly, particularly in terms of profit margins, leading to some unexpected shifts in industry rankings.

While the list of the ten most profitable banks remained unchanged from the previous year, only three banks recorded profit growth in 2025, while the other seven posted a decline in earnings. The reduction in the policy rate was a key factor weighing on income and profitability.

By comparison, in 2024, six banks reported profit growth, two posted flat earnings, and only two recorded an earnings decline.

Here are the top 10 most profitable banks:

United Bank Limited (UBL) stole the show by creating history in Pakistan’s banking industry, posting a record profit of Rs. 130 billion in 2025, an unexpected surge.

This marked the highest-ever profitability both for the industry and in the bank’s own history.

UBL is now the most profitable bank in Pakistan.

In 2024, the bank earned Rs. 75.8 billion and ranked second in the industry. Its year-on-year profit growth has been remarkable.

Earnings per share (EPS) also saw a significant jump, reaching Rs. 51.3 in 2025 from Rs. 30.7 in 2024. Shareholders received a total dividend of Rs. 29.5 per share during the year.

During the same year, UBL emerged as the second-largest listed company on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, with a market capitalization exceeding $4 billion.

The bank also made a significant move in 2024 by merging the operations of Silk Bank.

UBL has secured its position as Pakistan’s most profitable bank by a wide margin.

Over the years, this leading Islamic bank maintained a strong growth trajectory and consistently posted record profits. However, in 2025, it saw a decline in earnings.

Meezan Bank’s profit fell to Rs. 89 billion in 2025 from Rs. 101 billion in 2024. The country’s largest Islamic bank also lost its leading position in terms of profitability, creating a fresh challenge for its leadership under the new CEO.

Its earnings per share stood at Rs. 49.54 in 2025, compared with Rs. 56.62 in 2024. However, the bank still offered an impressive dividend of Rs. 28 per share.

National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) delivered a stellar financial performance and significantly improved its ranking.

The bank rose to become the third most profitable bank in the country, up from ninth position last year. NBP reported its highest-ever net profit of Rs. 85.9 billion in 2025, compared to Rs. 26.8 billion in 2024, an extraordinary 220% year-on-year growth.

The public sector bank also announced its highest-ever dividend of Rs. 35 per share, translating into a massive Rs. 75 billion payout, something private sector banks could hardly match. Its share price also surged to Rs. 40 from Rs. 12 in 2024.

Once the most profitable bank in Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) retained fourth position in 2025. It reported a profit of Rs. 66.8 billion, compared to Rs. 57.8 billion in 2024.

The bank maintained the highest deposit base in the industry, exceeding Rs. 5.5 trillion. Its share price improved to Rs. 45.48 from Rs. 39.85 in 2024. The bank also paid a strong dividend of Rs. 20 per share to shareholders.

MCB Bank continued to slip in the top ten rankings, falling from second position in 2024 to fifth in 2025. However, it offered the highest dividend in the industry at Rs. 36 per share.

The bank reported a profit of Rs. 54.2 billion in 2025, compared to Rs. 57.6 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5% year-on-year decline. EPS stood at Rs. 45.73, down from Rs. 48.62 a year earlier.

Allied Bank Limited (ABL) reported a profit of Rs. 35.175 billion in 2025, compared to Rs. 43.116 billion in 2024, showing a decline of 18% year-on-year. Despite this, it maintained sixth position in the rankings.

EPS dropped to Rs. 30.72 from Rs. 37.65 in 2024. The bank announced a total dividend of Rs. 20 per share for 2025.

Bank Al Habib reported a profit of Rs. 32.46 billion in 2025, reflecting a 23 percent decline from the previous year, mainly due to lower policy rates and higher operating expenses.

EPS dropped to Rs. 5.2. The bank paid a dividend of Rs. 15 per share and retained seventh position among the most profitable banks.

Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited reported a 37% decline in net profit, which fell to Rs. 28.78 billion in 2025. This was driven by lower interest income, reduced gains on securities, and higher operating costs.

EPS dropped significantly to Rs. 7.43 from Rs. 11.90, indicating a sharp decline in shareholder returns.

The bank’s ranking fell to eighth from fifth last year.

Bank Alfalah reported a profit of Rs. 28.34 billion in 2025, compared to Rs. 38.3 billion in 2024.

The bank slipped to ninth position in the rankings. EPS declined to Rs. 17.97 from Rs. 24.30 in 2024. It also announced a cash dividend of Rs. 10.50 per share.

Habib Metro Bank retained its tenth position, although its profit declined to Rs. 23.1 billion in 2025 from Rs. 25.7 billion in 2024.

Askari Bank also reported a profit of Rs. 23.02 billion, indicating close competition, with Habib Metro slightly ahead heading into 2026.

In 2025, UBL and NBP delivered outstanding financial performances, while many peer banks struggled to sustain growth.

Looking ahead to 2026, shifts in operational strategies, network strength, and asset management may lead to changes in rankings, especially given the evolving economic conditions in the country.

The profit-based ranking of the most profitable banks changes every year, and different banks will likely join the league through improved financial performance and replace some of the existing names on the list.

Muhammad Yasir is a Karachi based journalist with over 7 years of experience.