PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of National Bank of Pakistan

The ratings are driven by strong ownership structure (Government of Pakistan (GoP) holds majority stake). The bank’s strong financial risk profile, characterized by firm risk absorption capacity, provides strength to the ratings. NBP’s renowned franchise along with extended outreach aids the bank in deposit mobilization; public-private deposit mix remained intact. NBP fortified its position as the second largest bank in the country in terms of customer deposits. During 9MCY18, the bank’s deposit base saw a massive expansion. Additionally CASA mix improved; optimizing cost of funding. High admin cost of the bank is limiting profitability. There was deterioration in the asset quality as NBP booked PKR 15bln of NPLs. The management is confident as to recoveries. Overseas operations (forex) and domestic private credit are contributors to fresh infection. Going forward, the bank is keen to strengthen its lending portfolio; entering into profitable avenues seems a challenge. With focused efforts, NBP has managed to bring volumes in Islamic banking (Aitemaad) though limited; it is targeted to contribute towards growth.
The ratings are dependent upon the management’s ability maintain relative standing of the bank in the industry in all key parameters. Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974 (clause 4 of section 5) provides for the safety of all deposits in the banks. Depositor Protection Act 2016 (clause 39) has removed the protection clauses of the referred Act. Which law is to prevail, should any dispute arise, is a legal matter. Moreover, the bank in a case related to pensioner benefits to retired employees has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court judgment and has also moved an application for constitution of larger bench which has been accepted.

About the Entity
National Bank of Pakist an - the largest public sector commercial bank - operates with a network of over 1,498 branches. NBP maintains a total customer deposit share of ~13% at end-Sep18. NBP is majority (~75%) owned by GoP, through State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The bank acts as an agent of SBP and manages treasury operations for GoP.

NBP's seven member GoP nominated board includes the President, one independent director, while others are non-executives. After Mr Saeed Ahmed's exit the Ministry of Finance appointed Tariq Jamali, Senior Executive Vice President as the Acting President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in Aug 2018.