Private commercial lenders BRAC Bank and City Bank registered significant profit growth last year.

BRAC Bank's consolidated profit surged 73 percent year-on-year to nearly Tk 1,432 crore, while that of City Bank rose by 59 percent to around Tk 1,014 crore.

BRAC Bank reported consolidated earnings per share (EPS) of Tk 6.95, up from Tk 4.30 in 2023, the lender said in a disclosure posted on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website yesterday.

Its shares declined 0.81 percent to close at Tk 49.1 on the DSE yesterday.

The lender's consolidated net operating cash flow per share also rose to Tk 60.91 from Tk 37.05 over the same period.

The board of directors recommended a 12.50 percent cash dividend and a 12.50 percent stock dividend.

The bonus shares have been proposed to strengthen the bank's capital base and support future business expansion, according to the disclosure.

As of March 31, 2025, sponsors and directors held 46.17 percent of the bank's shares, institutions 14.24 percent, foreign investors 31.97 percent, and the public 7.62 percent.

BRAC Bank Managing Director and CEO Selim RF Hussain said, "…our success stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to our customers, our community, and our country."

City Bank approved its financial statements for 2024 at a board meeting yesterday, declaring a 25 percent dividend—12.5 percent in cash and 12.5 percent in bonus shares.

The bank's EPS rose to Tk 8.06 from Tk 4.57 in 2023.

Similarly, net asset value per share increased to Tk 34.01 from Tk 6.38.

Some 64 percent of the bank's revenue came from interest income on loans, 12 percent from fees and letter of credit commissions, and 19 percent from treasury bills and bond investments.

The remaining 5 percent came from private bonds, dividends, and stock market earnings.

City Bank Managing Director and CEO Mashrur Arefin stated, "People have placed their trust in City Bank, resulting in a surge in deposits. Our cost-to-income ratio dropped from 60 percent to just 42 percent, leading to a substantial rise in profit."