PACRA upgrades The Bank of Punjab (BOP) to AAA

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has been upgraded by PACRA (Pakistan Credit Rating Agency) from AA+ to a long-term entity rating of AAA, with its short-term rating held at A1+ and a Stable Outlook. This makes BOP the first and only provincial bank in Pakistan to achieve the country's highest credit rating.
 

Financial Performance

In 2025, BOP's deposits crossed PKR 2 trillion, while operating profit before credit loss allowance nearly doubled, rising 98.5% to PKR 40.7 billion. This growth was driven by a sharply improved deposit mix and a substantially lower cost of funds, resulting in stronger core earnings and tighter cost management.

 

Leadership Statement

Zafar Masud, President & CEO of The Bank of Punjab, described the AAA rating as proof of what disciplined, professional banking can build, noting that the bank has become a commercially strong institution while staying committed to financial inclusion and the development of Punjab and Pakistan.

 

Sector Leadership

BOP is Pakistan's leading digital lender and a frontrunner in priority-sector finance, including SME, agriculture, women's financial inclusion, and housing. Through Government of Punjab programs such as Asaan Karobar, Kissan Card, Livestock Card, and Apni Chat Apna Ghar, the bank has expanded formal financial access to entrepreneurs, farmers, women, and first-time borrowers across the province.

 

Acknowledgments

The bank credited its majority sponsor, the Government of Punjab, for strengthening its institutional capacity. Masud also thanked the Board of Directors, customers, regulators, shareholders, and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for their support, crediting the professionalism of BOP's employees for making the achievement possible.

 

Closing Position

The Bank of Punjab reaffirmed its commitment to responsible growth, strong capital, customer-centric digital innovation, and financial inclusion, describing itself as the country's largest SME, agriculture, low-cost housing, and women-entrepreneurship lender, its largest credit card issuer, and its leading digital lender.