PACRA upgrades Bank of Punjab rating to AAA

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has been upgraded to a long-term entity rating of AAA from AA+ by the Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (Pacra), with the short-term rating held at A1+ and a stable outlook. BOP has become the first and only provincial bank in Pakistan to achieve the nation's highest credit rating, a milestone built on a stronger deposit franchise, rising profitability and disciplined risk management. In 2025, BOP's deposits crossed Rs2 trillion, while the operating profit before credit loss allowance nearly doubled, rising 98.5% to Rs40.7 billion. The driver was a sharply improved deposit mix and a substantially lower cost of funds, translating into stronger core earnings, tighter costs and prudent risk stewardship. "AAA is more than a rating, it is proof of what disciplined, professional banking can build," said Zafar Masud, President & CEO of The Bank of Punjab. "We have created a...