PNB - Punjab Natl.Bank

📊 NSE: PNB 🏢 Banks - Public Sector 📅 Last Updated: 12/14/2025 11:23

💰 Financial Performance

Revenue Growth by Segment

Global advances grew 13.56% YoY in FY25 to INR 1,116,637 Cr. The RAM (Retail, Agriculture, MSME) segment grew 15.89% YoY, with MSME increasing 16.80%, Retail 16.53%, and Agriculture 14.18%. The corporate segment grew slower at 10.94% in FY25. Total income for FY25 was INR 1,38,070 Cr, up 14.78% from INR 1,20,285 Cr in FY24.

Geographic Revenue Split

PNB operates a pan-India network of 10,230 domestic branches and 2 international branches. As of March 31, 2025, 39% of branches are in rural areas and 25% in semi-rural areas, providing a significant footprint in the domestic market compared to peers.

Profitability Margins

Net Interest Margin (NIM) was 2.58% in FY25, declining from 2.71% in FY24, and further moderating to 2.28% in H1FY26 due to delayed interest rate transmission. Global NIM reduced 16bps YoY to 2.93% in FY25. Return on Assets (RoA) was 1.0% in FY25 but moderated to 0.71% in H1FY26 due to a one-time deferred tax asset (DTA) reversal.

EBITDA Margin

Pre-provisioning operating profit (PPOP) grew 7.6% YoY to INR 26,830 Cr in FY25. Operating profit as a percentage of average total assets (ATA) declined to 1.36% in FY25 from 1.61% in FY24, trending below the public sector bank average of 1.68%.

Capital Expenditure

Not disclosed in available documents as absolute INR Cr for future spend; however, the bank raised capital through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) in FY25 to support growth requirements and maintain capital adequacy.

Credit Rating & Borrowing

Short-term instruments are rated IND A1+. Basel III Tier 2 bonds are equated to the Long-Term Issuer Rating. Deposit costs peaked at 5.36% in 4QFY25 and moderated to 5.18% in 2QFY26, while average yield on investments stood at 6.93% in 2QFY26.

⚙️ Operational Drivers

Raw Materials

Not applicable for banking; primary 'raw material' is deposits. CASA deposits (Current Account Savings Account) represent 37.3% of total deposits as of Sept 30, 2025. Term deposits (less than INR 2 Cr) and savings deposits comprise ~75% of total deposits.

Import Sources

Not applicable for banking services.

Key Suppliers

Not applicable; the bank sources funds from a diversified retail and corporate deposit base of INR 16,29,131 Cr as of September 30, 2025.

Capacity Expansion

Current network includes 10,230 domestic branches and 11,187 ATMs as of September 30, 2025. The bank is focusing on digital adoption and centralizing underwriting for retail sanctions above INR 1 million to improve operational efficiency.

Raw Material Costs

Cost of deposits moderated to 5.18% in 2QFY26 from 5.36% in 4QFY25. Total deposits grew 14.38% in FY25, driven by a 21.52% YoY increase in term deposits, which increased the overall cost of funds.

Manufacturing Efficiency

Not applicable; however, the bank's Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) improved to 90.02% in 2QFY26, exceeding peer groups and indicating high efficiency in managing legacy bad loans.

Logistics & Distribution

Distribution is handled through 10,230 branches. Operating expenses were partially offset by lower costs in H1FY26, though specific distribution cost percentages are not provided.

📈 Strategic Growth

Expected Growth Rate

12-13%

Growth Strategy

The bank aims to increase the RAM (Retail, Agri, MSME) segment share to 60% (from 54.3%) while reducing corporate exposure to 40%. It has a sanction book of INR 1,78,000 Cr expected for disbursement in Q3/Q4 FY26. Growth is supported by a recovery target of INR 16,000 Cr in FY26 and a planned INR 950 Cr gain from a 10% dilution in Canara HSBC Life.

Products & Services

Retail loans (personal, education, housing), MSME credit, Agriculture loans, Corporate lending, Savings accounts, Term deposits, Credit cards, and Insurance distribution.

Brand Portfolio

Punjab National Bank (PNB), PNB MetLife, Canara HSBC Life (associate).

New Products/Services

Increased focus on unsecured personal loans restricted to salaried customers and government-guaranteed education loans. Digital adoption is being accelerated to enhance non-interest income.

Market Expansion

Focus on rural and semi-rural markets where 64% of branches are currently located. The bank is also leveraging its amalgamated franchise (post-OBC and UBI merger) to increase pan-India market share.

Market Share & Ranking

PNB holds a 5.9% market share in net advances and 6.9% in total deposits. It is the second-largest public sector bank in terms of deposits and third-largest in terms of net advances.

Strategic Alliances

Amalgamation with Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India (effective 2020). Associate interest in Canara HSBC Life (10% dilution planned).

🌍 External Factors

Industry Trends

The Indian banking sector is transitioning toward the ECL (Expected Credit Loss) provisioning framework. There is a systemic shift toward RAM segments to diversify risk away from large corporate exposures. PNB is positioning itself by targeting a 60% RAM mix.

Competitive Landscape

Competes with other large PSBs and private banks. PNB is the 3rd largest PSB and 5th largest bank overall in India by net advances.

Competitive Moat

Moat is based on its status as a Systemically Important Bank (SIB) with a 5.9% market share and strong GoI support (sovereign ownership). Its large, low-cost retail deposit franchise (INR 16.29 Lakh Cr) provides a sustainable funding advantage.

Macro Economic Sensitivity

Highly sensitive to RBI interest rate policies; delayed transmission of rate cuts on advances led to a NIM decline to 2.28% in H1FY26.

Consumer Behavior

Increasing demand for digital banking and retail credit. PNB's retail segment grew 16.53% in FY25, reflecting strong consumer credit appetite.

Geopolitical Risks

Direct exposure is limited, but credit risk may arise if environmental or geopolitical factors impact the operations of the bank's corporate asset classes.

⚖️ Regulatory & Governance

Industry Regulations

RBI's ECL framework implementation is a key monitorable, with a projected 75-80 bps impact on capital. Basel III capital requirements mandate a Tier I of 9.5% and overall CAR of 11.5%.

Environmental Compliance

PNB disclosed Scope 3 financed emissions (Category 15). ESG commitment is used to enhance stakeholder confidence for foreign portfolio investors.

Taxation Policy Impact

Transitioned to a new tax regime in Q1 FY26, resulting in a one-time deferred tax asset (DTA) reversal hit that impacted H1FY26 PAT.

Legal Contingencies

The bank carries almost 100% provisions against exposures to NCLT-1 and NCLT-2 lists. Recovery target for FY26 is INR 16,000 Cr.

⚠️ Risk Analysis

Key Uncertainties

Potential slippages from the COVID-19 restructuring pool of INR 5,010 Cr (0.51% of net advances) and Mudra exposure in the MSME segment. ECL transition remains a primary capital risk.