Sonali Bank Reports Record Profit 2025

Sonali Bank, the largest state-owned commercial bank in Bangladesh, has posted a record net profit of Tk1,313 crore for the financial year 2025, according to its audited financial statements. This represents a 33 per cent increase compared with the previous year.

The bank’s performance for the year shows a pronounced divergence between its investment income and core lending operations. The overall growth in profit was primarily supported by a strong rise in income from investments, particularly government securities and bonds. Investment income increased by 55 per cent year-on-year to Tk9,799 crore, forming the dominant source of earnings for the period.

By contrast, net interest income, which reflects earnings from lending activities after interest expenses, declined significantly. It fell by 77 per cent to Tk337 crore. The audited report indicates that this decline resulted from a combination of reduced interest income from borrowers and higher interest payments made to depositors. This created pressure on the bank’s traditional banking income stream.

Despite the sharp contraction in net interest income, the overall financial outcome improved due to the strength of investment returns. The increase in investment-based earnings more than offset the decline in lending income, allowing the bank to register its highest-ever annual profit.

Earnings per share (EPS) also improved in line with the rise in net profit. The EPS stood at Tk28.99 in 2025, compared with Tk21.82 in the previous year, reflecting higher profitability attributable to shareholders.

The audited results highlight a structural shift in the composition of the bank’s income, with investment income playing a significantly larger role than in previous years. At the same time, traditional credit operations contributed less to overall earnings due to reduced margins in the lending segment.

Financial Highlights (2025)

The financial statement confirms that the bank’s record profit was achieved mainly through higher returns from investment holdings, while its core interest-based income declined substantially during the reporting period.