Karachi, March 4, 2026 – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs102.68 million on United Bank Limited (UBL) for regulatory violations during the calendar year 2025, according to the bank’s financial statement released on Wednesday.
The penalty represents a significant increase compared to Rs43.53 million levied in 2024. However, UBL’s overseas branches demonstrated improved compliance, reducing penalties to Rs37,000, down from Rs31.72 million last year. The total penalties reported by UBL in its annual financial statements amounted to Rs102.72 million, compared to Rs75.27 million in 2024.
Despite the regulatory fines, UBL posted robust financial performance in 2025. The bank recorded Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs288.3 billion, marking a 92% year-on-year growth. Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at Rs128.0 billion, up from Rs80.5 billion in 2024, while Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased to Rs51.33 from Rs32.89. On a consolidated basis, UBL reported PAT of Rs130.0 billion and EPS of Rs52.13, reflecting strong domestic and international operations.
The UBL Board of Directors approved a final cash dividend of Rs8 per share in their February 25, 2026 meeting in Islamabad, bringing the total dividend for 2025 to Rs29.5 per share.
Analysts said the penalties highlight areas where compliance can improve, but UBL’s earnings growth and healthy dividend payouts indicate strong operational resilience. The bank’s performance demonstrates that despite regulatory scrutiny, its domestic and international business continues to expand profitably.
UBL remains one of Pakistan’s leading commercial banks, balancing regulatory compliance with robust financial growth, making it a key player in the country’s banking sector.