NRB Bank sinks into Tk139cr loss amid soaring deposit costs, loan provisions

NRB Bank has reported a staggering loss of Tk138.95 crore for the first nine months of 2025, as surging deposit costs and massive provisions against bad loans dragged the bank deep into the red.

According to an unaudited financial statement published on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website today (16 October), the bank's loss per share stood at Tk2.01 for the January-September period, compared to an earnings per share of Tk0.28 during the same period last year.

Following the disclosure, the bank's share price fell by 1.43% to close at Tk6.90.

The bank's interest income increased slightly by 5% to Tk527.80 crore during the nine months, but its deposit expenses soared by 37% to Tk564 crore, resulting in a net interest income loss of Tk36.59 crore.

Additionally, NRB Bank had to make a massive provision of Tk237.37 crore against its classified loans, which was a sharp 426% rise compared to the same period a year ago.

Earlier, the bank had declared no dividend for failing to maintain adequate provisions in 2024.

According to the audited report for 2024, it required a total provision of Tk595.55 crore against defaulted loans that year but managed to keep only Tk325.55 crore, leaving a shortfall of Tk270 crore. The Bangladesh Bank allowed the bank time to meet this deficit gradually.

In 2024, the bank's total classified loans surged to Tk1,049.77 crore – a 251% increase from the previous year – while its net profit plummeted by 91% to just Tk7.16 crore.

Earlier in March, the Bangladesh Bank dissolved NRB Bank's previous board of directors, citing poor governance and policy failures that severely weakened the bank's financial condition. The central bank has since reconstituted the board with new directors to restore stability and ensure better oversight.