Indian banks anticipate asset quality stress from Q2 due to the West Asia conflict, rising fuel prices, and input costs. SMEs are particularly vulnerable, leading lenders to become cautious. This is expected to reflect in upcoming financial results.
State Bank of India reported a 6% rise in Q4 FY26 net profit to Rs 19,684 crore, driven by improved asset quality and lower bad loans. Despite this, total income saw a slight decline, and net interest margins compressed, leading to a drop in operating profit and a subsequent fall in SBI's stock price.
Bandhan Bank reported a 68% YoY profit jump to Rs 530 crore in Q4 with NIMs improving to 6.2%. Credit cost fell to 2% with guidance for 1.6-1.7% going forward. ROA reached 1.1% and ROE 8.5%, with FY27 targets of 1.5-1.6% ROA and above 15% ROE. CEO Partha Pratim Sengupta flagged global uncertainty and West Asia conflict as key risks for H2.
