People’s Bank and Airtel Payments Bank report strong financial growth

People’s Bank in Sri Lanka reported a record pre-tax profit of Rs. 32.6 billion for the first half of 2026. The state-owned institution saw its standalone profit after tax reach Rs. 20.5 billion, driven by increased core banking income, improved margins, and loan growth. Total operating income rose 17.7% year-on-year to Rs. 95.2 billion, while net interest income grew 18.9% to Rs. 82.4 billion. The bank’s total assets stabilized at Rs. 3.8 trillion, and gross loans and advances exceeded the Rs. 2 trillion mark for the first time.

In India, Airtel Payments Bank announced a significant increase in its Q1 FY27 financial performance, with net profit jumping 82% year-on-year to Rs. 19 crore. Revenue for the April-June quarter rose 6.8% to Rs. 830.5 crore. The bank reported a 23% increase in monthly transacting users, reaching 29.5 million. CEO Anubrata Biswas attributed the growth to the increasing adoption of digital banking across the country.