HNB Group reports strong performance in1Q025

HNB , discussing its first quarter 2025 performance, has continued its growth trajectory in Q1 2025, recording a YoY (year-on-year) growth of 49 per cent in group Profit After Tax (PAT) and a 64 per cent growth in bank PAT with group and bank PAT at Rs.11.1  billion and Rs.10.2  billion, respectively.

The bank’s Net Interest Income (NII) grew by 7.7 per cent YoY to Rs.23.7 billion during the first quarter in the backdrop of lower interest rates compared to the corresponding period of 2024. Despite the loan book growing by Rs.159 billion YoY, interest income recorded a drop of 14.4 per cent YoY. Nevertheless, the interest expenses dropped at a higher rate of 27.1 per cent YoY supported by a steady growth in CASA deposits, resulting in the growth in NII, the bank said in a media release

Commenting on the performance, Nihal Jayawardena, Chairman of HNB PLC said: “Over the years, HNB has played a pivotal role in the economy, as a true partner in progress to our stakeholders, especially during their time of need. As a domestic systemically important bank in the country, we remain committed to continuing our journey of uplifting the lives and livelihoods of Sri Lankans”.  

Driven by the bank’s robust risk management framework and intensified recovery efforts, asset quality continued to show notable improvement. Reflecting the success of these initiatives, the bank witnessed a positive movement in its stage 3 portfolio resulting in a total impairment reversal of Rs.379.7 million, compared to a charge of Rs.1.4 billion in the corresponding period last year. Accordingly, the Net Stage 3 ratio improved to 1.82 per cent, from 1.88 per cent in December 2024, while the Stage 3 coverage ratio strengthened to 75.12 per cent.

Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer added: “HNB’s performance in the first quarter of 2025 reflects our unwavering commitment to strategic focus. Despite prevailing uncertainties in the global environment, HNB remains resilient—supported by strong fundamentals in asset quality, liquidity, and capital adequacy—which enable us to confidently serve diverse market segments across the country and navigate challenges in the operating environment.”