Profile
Structure
Mashreq
Bank Pakistan Limited (“MBPL” or the "Bank") was incorporated in
Pakistan on July 5, 2023, as an unlisted public limited company under the
Companies Act, 2017. The principal line of business of the Bank is to operate
as a Digital Bank licensed under Section 27 of the Banking Companies Ordinance,
1962, read with the Licensing and Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks issued
by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Background
The
Bank received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the State Bank of Pakistan
(SBP) on January 13, 2023, and subsequently obtained In-principle approval
(IPA) on September 20, 2023, under the SBP’s Licensing and Regulatory Framework
for Digital Banks. Later, in December 2024, the SBP issued a restricted
banking license to the Bank for pilot operations as a Digital Retail Bank (DRB).
Upon successful completion of the pilot phase and fulfillment of all regulatory
requirements, the Bank was granted scheduled bank status by the SBP on
September 15, 2025, and subsequently launched its full-service digital retail
banking operations. The Bank is operating through the head office and its three
other offices in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore as of Sep'25. The
registered office of the Bank is situated at 22-C, Ittehad Lane- 8, Ittehad
Commercial, Phase VI, DHA, Karachi, Pakistan.
Operations
The Bank would be operating under two
segments: (a) Mashreq NEO and (b) Mashreq NEOBiz. Mashreq NEO caters to individual customers, providing digital accounts,
high-yield savings, current accounts, NRP accounts, and competitive fixed
deposits. These services are designed to simplify access to financial tools for
small businesses and entrepreneurs through an entirely digital experience. Mashreq NEOBiz, expected to be launched in the coming months, will be Pakistan’s first fully digital banking solution for entrepreneurs and business owners, delivering secure, seamless financial services through a single integrated platform. With
the commercial launch, the Bank has also expanded its platform to include a
wider range of retail-focused digital services, reinforcing its commitment to
innovation and customer convenience. The Bank's long-term strategic vision
continues to center on digital innovation, financial inclusion, and the
delivery of scalable, customer-centric banking solutions tailored to the
evolving needs of Pakistan’s digital economy.
Ownership
Ownership Structure
Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Mashreq Bank P.S.C., UAE ("Mashreq P.S.C." or the
"Parent Bank"), a leading financial institution headquartered in
the United Arab Emirates and listed on the Dubai Financial Market. This
ownership structure enables the Bank to leverage the strategic, technological,
and financial strengths of the Parent Bank while operating independently under
Pakistan’s regulatory environment.
Stability
Mashreq Bank P.S.C., UAE, is one of the most
resilient financial institutions in the Middle East, backed by a strong legacy
since its establishment in 1967. Mashreq P.S.C. is predominantly owned by
Saif Al Ghurair Investment Group (41.75%), Abdullah Ahmed Al Ghurair Investment
Company (31.10%), and Masar Investment Limited (12.75%). As the oldest
privately owned bank in the UAE, it has consistently demonstrated financial
stability, operational excellence, and a customer-centric philosophy. Supported
by a solid capital base, prudent risk management, and a diversified business
portfolio spanning corporate, retail, treasury, and international operations.
These strengths provide a stable foundation for its strategic expansion into
Pakistan through Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited, reflecting its commitment to
innovation and financial inclusion in emerging markets. Mashreq P.S.C. holds
strong credit ratings A, A, and A3 from Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s,
respectively.
Business Acumen
Mashreq P.S.C. showcases strong business
acumen through its strategic focus on innovation, digital banking, and market
diversification. Its early adoption of technology, consistent profitability,
and expansion into key global markets reflect a deep understanding of evolving
financial trends and customer needs, positioning it as a forward-looking and
agile institution.
Financial Strength
Mashreq Bank P.S.C.’s financial strength is evident from its solid
capital base and consistent profitability. As of 9MFY25, the Parent Bank
reported a net profit of AED 5.2 billion and maintained a strong Capital
Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 16.8%, including a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of
14.2%, along with a low Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio of 1.1%. Total assets
stood at AED 305 billion, supported by robust lending activity, expanding
client relationships, and growing contributions from international markets.
Shareholders’ equity amounted to AED 37.8 billion (~PKR 3 trillion), is far more than the combined equity of major banks in Pakistan. These indicators highlight the Parent Bank’s strong capacity to
absorb financial shocks while supporting the growth of its subsidiaries. Backed
by strong credit ratings and a diversified revenue base, Mashreq P.S.C.
continues to demonstrate financial resilience and long-term stability across
economic cycles.
Governance
Board Structure
Overall
control of the Bank rests with a nine-member Board of Directors (Board), which
includes the CEO as the executive director, three independent directors, and
five non-executive directors, including the Chairperson.
Members’ Profile
Mr.
Fernando Morillo – Chairperson of the Board, brings
over three decades of global banking expertise. As the current Group Head of
Retail Banking at Mashreq Bank P.S.C., Mr. Fernando leverages his extensive
background in developing retail banking strategies. His prior roles at Standard
Chartered, BBVA, and McKinsey have equipped him with a deep understanding of
both operational excellence and strategic vision in diverse banking
environments, essential for leading the digital initiatives in the MBPL. His academic
background includes a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aeronautical Engineering, a
Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Instituto de Empresa, and
completion of the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. Mr.
Mohamad Salah Abdel Hamid Abdel Razek – Non-Executive Director, is
currently working at Mashreq Bank P.S.C. as Group Chief Information Officer.
With 27 years of experience in the information technology sector, Mr. Salah has
a profound background in leading IT operations within multinational
corporations, including Standard Chartered Bank. His experience in harnessing
technology solutions for banking innovations has well-positioned him to
contribute to the strategic development of MBPL’s digital banking capabilities. Ms.
Rania Nerhal – Non-Executive Director, currently serves as Group Head,
Client Experience & Conduct at Mashreq Bank P.S.C. Since joining the Bank
in 2012, she has continuously contributed to enhancing customer engagement and
service standards. With a total experience of 17 years, her career includes
significant roles at prominent institutions such as HSBC, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait,
Commercial Bank of Dubai, and Egyptian American Bank. Her experience makes her
exceptionally skilled at shaping the strategies that advance user experience in
the evolving landscape of digital banking. Mr. Iqbal Hassan Khanyari –
Non-Executive Director, is currently working as Head of Islamic
Banking Origination at Mashreq Bank P.S.C. He has 32 years of banking
experience and has held several leadership positions at Mashreq Bank. Mr. Iqbal
holds a CFA, an MBA in Finance, and a B.Sc. in Electronics. Mr. Salman
Hadi – Non-Executive Director, brings 20 years of experience in the
financial sector and currently serves as Group Head, Treasury and Global Markets at Mashreq Bank P.S.C. He has also held senior roles at Abu Dhabi
Commercial Bank and Emirates NBD, with expertise in treasury, capital markets,
and global financial strategies. Mr. Shazad Dada – Independent Director, distinguished
banking leader with over 30 years of international experience. He has served as
President & CEO of UBL and Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited, and
earlier as Managing Director at Barclays Pakistan and Deutsche Bank. His background
combines strategic leadership with deep financial acumen, supported by an MBA
in Finance from The Wharton School. Mr. Rashid Ali Khan – Independent
Director, brings 27 years of leadership and entrepreneurial
experience, currently serving as Chairperson of Nayatel and founder of Sukh
Chayn. His career reflects innovation and business development, supported by
prior senior-level experience at HBL. His blend of telecom and financial
expertise positions him strongly in technology-driven banking strategies. Mr.
Syed Naseer ul Hasan – Independent Director, is currently the CEO of
Idenfo with 27+ years of retail banking experience across Standard Chartered,
Barclays, and Citibank. He has a strong track record in managing large-scale
banking operations, implementing digital solutions, and driving customer-focused
strategies. His fintech leadership equips him to guide digital transformation
and innovation in modern banking.
Board Effectiveness
The
Board of MBPL brings together extensive experience in banking, finance,
technology, digital transformation, and client service. This diverse expertise
supports the Bank’s strategic direction, ensuring sound governance and
continuous evaluation of management performance against operational and growth
objectives. The Board has four committees: (i) Digital, IT, and
Information Security Committee, (ii) Audit Committee, (iii) Human Resource
& Remuneration Committee, and (iv) Risk Management & Credit Committee.
Financial Transparency
The
Audit Committee assists the Board in overseeing financial integrity, internal
controls, and audit functions. Its key responsibilities include ensuring the
accuracy and transparency of financial statements, reviewing accounting
policies, and supervising internal and external audit processes. The Committee
also evaluates auditor independence, approves audit plans (including Shariah
audits), ensures compliance with regulatory and Shariah requirements, and
monitors the effectiveness of the Bank’s whistleblowing mechanism. M/s. A.F.
Ferguson & Co., Chartered Accountants, classified in category 'A' by SBP
and having a satisfactory QCR rating, are the external auditors for the Bank.
They expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial statement for the year
ended 31st December 2024.
Management
Organizational Structure
The
Bank comprises sixteen departments, each led by a department head, with
fourteen reporting directly to the CEO, while the Chief Risk Officer, along
with the Head of Internal Audit, report to their respective Board committees.
The structure is supported by a seasoned senior management team bringing
extensive industry experience and expertise.
Management Team
Mr.
Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad - Chief Executive Officer, is recognized as one of Asia’s top 100
Fintech leaders. Mr. Hamayun has an impressive 24 years of experience,
including leading the Digital Banking Group at the National Bank of Pakistan
and United Bank Limited. Mr. Hamayun is a highly qualified professional with a
specialization in Design Thinking from MIT and holds an MBA in Marketing and a
bachelor’s degree in computer science. His expertise in digital transformation
and innovation has also been acknowledged through his appointment as an
Independent Director at 1LINK (Pvt.) Ltd., reflecting his significant
contribution to strengthening Pakistan’s digital financial
infrastructure. Mr. Atif Saeed Dar – Chief Financial Officer, is
a seasoned finance professional and a Fellow Chartered Accountant with over 25
years of experience in local and multinational banks. He has previously served
as Head of Finance – International at Habib Bank Limited, overseeing global
finance operations, and as Finance Head – Pakistan at Barclays Bank. His
extensive expertise in financial management and leadership across diverse
markets positions him well to lead the Bank’s finance function and support its
strategic objectives. Mr. Nauman Muzaffar – Chief Risk Officer, is
a seasoned risk management professional with over two decades of experience
spanning risk governance, digital banking, and capital markets. Before joining
Mashreq, he held key roles at J.P. Morgan Canada, National Bank of Pakistan,
and Habib Bank Limited. His expertise in credit risk, enterprise risk
management, fraud risk oversight, and capital structure advisory enables him to
strengthen the Bank’s risk framework and support sustainable growth. He holds
an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a Bachelor of
Science from the University of Utah, USA. Mr. Shams ul Haq Niaz – Chief
Digital Officer & Head of Payments, has over 16 years of
experience in the Financial Services industry across Pakistan and the UAE,
specializing in Digital Payments and Product Development. This marks his second
tenure at Mashreq, where he previously spent 4 years in the Digital Payments
team. He has also led Digital Payments at Easypaisa and headed Acceptance &
Branchless Products at MCB Bank. Shamsul Haq holds an MBA from INSEAD, France,
and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from LUMS. Mr. Muhammad Faraz Khan – Chief Compliance Officer, is Fellow Chartered Accountant from ICAP and has over 22 years of experience in operational risk, governance and internal controls. Mr. Khurram Abid – CIO – Head of Technology and Operations, has over 20 years of experience in in information teachnology in major commercial banks of Pakistan.
Effectiveness
Mashreq
Bank Pakistan Limited has the following six management committees to
effectively manage and oversee operations, details of which are as
follows: 1) Digital, Technology & Information Security Steering
Committee, 2) Asset Liability Committee, 3) Enterprise Risk Committee, 4)
Compliance Risk Management Committee, 5) Client Experience Committee, 6)
Executive Management Committee.
MIS
Mashreq
Bank Pakistan employs a sophisticated MIS infrastructure to support its
digital-banking operations, anchored by the globally recognised Oracle FLEXCUBE
core-banking platform, which enables real-time processing, scalability,
and seamless integration across retail, corporate, and Islamic banking
segments. Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited has recently launched its mobile
banking application, offering a user-centric interface with advanced digital
onboarding, instant real-time fund transfers, debit-card issuance, and bill
payments covering more than 4,000 billers. Designed to enhance customer
convenience and promote 24/7 self-service banking, the app is backed by
AI-driven risk controls, no-fee ATM withdrawals across a network of 19,000+
ATMs, and strengthens the Bank’s digital presence in line with its
technology-led growth strategy.
Risk Management Framework
The
Bank has adopted a comprehensive risk management framework aligned with the
SBP’s regulatory requirements for digital banks and global best practices. Risk
governance at MBPL is overseen by an experienced Board, which monitors
strategic exposures and evaluates compliance readiness. As part of SBP’s
Digital Bank Licensing Framework, MBPL is required to implement robust controls
around cybersecurity, operational resilience, and audit systems. In line with
these requirements, MBPL has developed strong internal audit, compliance, and
operational risk structures during its pilot and commercial phases, including
functions to assess and mitigate risks proactively. The Bank employs advanced
digital infrastructure encompassing secure onboarding, transaction monitoring,
and fraud detection frameworks to ensure effective management of operational
and cyber risks. These measures are underpinned by Mashreq Bank P.S.C.'s global
risk governance standards, enabling MBPL to maintain strong regulatory
compliance and operational resilience since the commencement of its commercial
operations.
Business Risk
Industry Dynamics
In January
2023, the State Bank of Pakistan issued No Objection Certificates (NoCs) to
five applicants: Easypaisa, HugoBank Limited, Buraq Bank, Mashreq Bank Pakistan
Limited, and Raqami Islamic Digital Bank Limited. These institutions were
subsequently granted In-principle Approval (IPA) in September 2023 to begin
preparations for operational readiness, marking a significant step toward the
development of digital banking in Pakistan. By December 2024, Mashreq Bank
Pakistan Limited received a restricted license from the SBP to initiate pilot
operations as a digital retail bank. Easypaisa, with its operational history
and well-designed business strategy, was exempted from pilot testing
requirements and restrictions on limited deposit-taking. It was granted a full
Digital Retail Bank license in January 2025. As the digital banking ecosystem
evolves, traditional commercial banks are also transforming by embracing
digital technologies, forging partnerships with fintech companies, and
prioritizing customer experience. They are increasingly leveraging digital
platforms to broaden their reach, boost operational efficiency, and offer more
competitive financial solutions, allowing them to effectively compete with
emerging digital banks. Looking ahead, key challenges will include safeguarding
customer data, maintaining adequate liquidity to meet digital demand, and
ensuring compliance with rapidly evolving regulatory requirements.
Relative Position
Mashreq Bank
Pakistan Limited was awarded a DRB license on September 15, 2025, under
Pakistan’s Digital Banks Framework 2022, reflecting its commitment to digital
innovation and financial inclusion. Backed by the strength and expertise of
Mashreq Bank P.S.C., MBPL’s entry into the Pakistani market marks a pivotal
step in shaping the country’s digital banking future, positioning it as a key
player in delivering next-generation financial services to underserved and
tech-savvy customer segments.
Revenues
During
9MFY25, the markup income of the Bank stood at PKR 528mln (9MFY24: PKR 3mln)
due to higher earnings from investments. However, markup expenses stood at PKR
41.3mln. Consequently, the net markup income was reported at PKR 487mln
(9MFY24: PKR 3mln).
Performance
In 9MFY25,
the non-markup income stood at PKR -19.1mln (9MFY24: PKR 12mln), mainly due to
the negative foreign exchange income, which stood at PKR -19.4mln (9MFY24:
PKR 12mln). However, non-markup expenses stood at PKR 3,680mln (9MFY24: PKR
1,781mln). The Loss After Taxation of the Bank was reported at PKR -3,215mln
(9MFY24: PKR 1,766mln), primarily attributed to the initial essential costs
incurred to set up the business.
Sustainability
Mashreq Bank Pakistan Limited is set to reshape digital banking in
Pakistan. Backed by Mashreq Bank
P.S.C.’s global strength and innovation focus, MBPL is
building a secure, inclusive digital platform offering products like business
accounts, Islamic financing, and SME solutions through NEOBiz. The Bank aims to
drive financial inclusion and digital transformation across Pakistan.
Financial Risk
Credit Risk
MBPL has established a comprehensive credit
risk management framework overseen by its Credit Policy and Fraud Risk
Management Unit, which will ensure prudent lending practices, effective
monitoring, and compliance with regulatory standards. Credit risk will
primarily arise from exposures to individuals, SMEs, and financial
institutions, with potential losses stemming from customer defaults or
deterioration in credit quality. The Bank’s framework emphasizes defined risk
appetite, robust credit approval processes, portfolio monitoring, and early
identification of emerging risks to maintain a sound credit portfolio. As part
of the Bank's strategy, lending operations will commence once a significant
deposit base is established.
Market Risk
The Bank has implemented a structured market
risk management framework to identify, measure, monitor, and control exposures
arising from interest rate, foreign exchange, and other market movements. The
Market Risk Unit operates independently, overseeing treasury activities,
establishing exposure limits, and ensuring alignment with the Bank’s approved
risk appetite. Standardized methodologies—such as notional and
sensitivity-based limits—are applied to manage potential market volatility and
protect the investment portfolio. In line with the Group’s Investment Policy
Framework, the portfolio is managed in accordance with liquidity requirements,
ALM strategies, and balance sheet objectives. At present, the investment book
comprises solely short-term Federal Government securities, resulting in minimal
market risk exposure.
Liquidity and Funding
As part of its business strategy, the Bank
will initially focus on deposit mobilization through both Islamic and
conventional products, targeting salaried individuals, self-employed
professionals, housewives, and high-net-worth clients. By leveraging its
branchless digital model, the Bank expects to maintain a cost advantage
relative to peers in the same segment, enabling it to offer competitive deposit
rates. The Bank’s Asset Liability Committee (ALCO) oversees the asset-liability
management (ALM) function, monitoring the Bank’s ALM strategy with particular
emphasis on managing interest rate, exchange rate, and liquidity risks. While
aiming to optimize profitability, ALCO ensures that adequate liquidity is
maintained to meet the Bank’s funding obligations. The High-Quality Liquid
Assets (HQLA) to Total Net Cash Outflows ratio for the next 30 calendar days
must be maintained at a minimum of 100% or as otherwise determined by ALCO.
Currently, the ratio remains above 100%, indicating strong liquidity buffers.
Capitalization
The Parent Bank initially injected equity of PKR 5.5bln
in Sep'24, followed by additional capital infusions of approximately PKR 1bln
in Mar'25, PKR 2bln in Jun'25, and PKR 1bln in Sep'25, bringing the total share
capital to around PKR 9.4bln. As of end-Sep25, after accounting for accumulated
losses of PKR -6.9bln, the Bank’s equity base stood at PKR 2.5bln (end-Dec24:
PKR 1.7bln). While the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) was reported at 58%, with
Tier-1 CAR at 57.8%. These capital injections align with the Minimum Capital
Requirement and are guided by the Board-approved capital plan, with further
injections scheduled in the coming years.
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