Karachi: United Bank Limited (UBL) has demonstrated significant growth and performance, as revealed in a recent corporate briefing hosted by Topline Securities, with Mr. Muhammad Jawaid Iqbal, President of UBL, presenting the details. Over the past two years, UBL witnessed a remarkable 98% increase in deposit growth, substantially outpacing the industry average of 40%. Current deposits soared by 114%, further emphasizing the bank’s robust financial health.

UBL’s revenue and pretax profit have seen remarkable increases, with 131% and 185% growth, respectively, marking the highest among the top 20 listed companies on the exchange over the last two years. The bank’s stock performance has been impressive, yielding a total return of 1247% since January 2023, comprising a significant dividend return of 588% and a capital gain of 659%. The market capitalization has surged from Rs113 billion in January 2023 to Rs966 billion currently.

The bank’s deposit market share increased to 11.5% by June 2025, compared to 8.3% in December 2024, with notable gains in both current account deposits and saving deposits. Despite a decline in industry-wide deposits, UBL’s deposits continued to rise in August 2025 compared to June 2025. Management anticipates continued higher-than-industry deposit growth.

In lending, UBL is prepared to offer loans at competitive rates, with a focus on expanding its consumer lending portfolio, including house and car loans. On the remittances front, UBL maintained a dominant position, holding a 23.2% market share in FY25, although slightly down from 24.5% in FY24. The bank’s trade market share increased to 8.6% in FY25 from 6.8% in FY24, with plans to further enhance its trade business market share.

The bank’s total investment portfolio is strategically diversified, with significant holdings in 10-year floater PIBs, short tenor PIBs floaters, and fixed PIBs/Sukuks. Management remains optimistic about maintaining a strong quarterly dividend trajectory while retaining funds to bolster the balance sheet.

UBL is compliant with regulatory requirements and maintains flexibility with a short-term investment portfolio of Rs1.4 trillion, which can be adjusted if necessary to meet regulatory ratios. Analysts continue to recommend a buy stance on UBL, with the stock trading at a 2025 estimated price-to-earnings ratio of 8.0x and a price-to-book value ratio of 2.2x.