HDFC Bank Reports Robust Q4 Performance with 9.1% Profit Growth
HDFC Bank, India's largest private sector lender, has announced a significant increase in its net profit for the fourth quarter of the last financial year. The bank recorded a net profit of Rs 19,221 crore, marking a 9.1% rise from Rs 17,616 crore in the same period a year ago. For the full financial year, HDFC Bank's net profit surged to Rs 74,671 crore, up 10.9% from Rs 67,347 crore in the previous year.
Dividend Declaration and Leadership Updates
The board of HDFC Bank has recommended a final dividend of Rs 13 per share for FY26, based on a face value of Re 1 per share. This brings the total dividend payout for the year to Rs 15.50 per share. In a post-results earnings call, the bank's Managing Director and CEO addressed key leadership and operational matters.
Interim Chairman's Role: The MD expressed support for interim chairman Keki Mistry to continue beyond his initial three-month term. However, he noted that formal processes must be completed before any recommendations can be made to regulatory authorities. Mistry was appointed interim chairman last month following the sudden resignation of former chairman Atanu Chakraborty, who cited conflicts over values and ethics—a claim that HDFC Bank has denied.
Addressing Misselling Concerns: On the issue of misselling, the CEO emphasized that concerns are based on a "wrong perception." He highlighted that the bank has implemented strong safeguards since 2015-16 for selling third-party products. These measures include pre-verification, geotagging, and video confirmation to ensure customers fully understand products and are not pressured into purchases. Additionally, clear exclusions prevent sales to vulnerable groups such as marginal borrowers and very senior citizens. The CEO stated that these processes are robust and may be disclosed publicly in the future.
ICICI Bank Achieves Milestone with Full-Year Profit
Meanwhile, ICICI Bank, the second-largest private bank in India, has crossed the Rs 50,000 crore net profit milestone for the first time in its history. For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, ICICI Bank reported a net profit of Rs 13,701.7 crore, an 8.5% increase from Rs 12,629.6 crore in the year-ago period, driven by improved asset quality.
For the full financial year FY26, ICICI Bank's net profit rose 6.2% to Rs 50,146.6 crore from Rs 47,227 crore in FY25. The board has recommended a dividend of Rs 12 per share. The bank also reported a net interest income of Rs 22,979.1 crore for the quarter, up 8.4% from Rs 21,192.9 crore in the previous year.
YES Bank Posts Strong Quarterly Growth
YES Bank has reported a net profit of Rs 1,068 crore for the March 2026 quarter, a substantial 44.8% increase from Rs 738 crore a year earlier. This growth was supported by lower credit costs and enhanced operating performance. For the full year, net profit rose 44.5% to Rs 3,476 crore, with the return on assets improving to 0.8% from 0.6% in the previous year.
In his inaugural earnings call, the bank's new Managing Director and CEO, Vinay Tonse, outlined a strategic focus on profitability, asset quality, and disciplined expansion. Tonse highlighted that YES Bank is leveraging its improving balance sheet and strategic investment from Japan's SMBC. He noted that his initial assessment reveals a "strong alignment of purpose across stakeholders" and a bank that has stabilized after a prolonged restructuring phase.
"We will build on what is working well, strengthen areas that require more attention, and pursue growth that is thoughtful, calibrated, and sustainable," Tonse stated, emphasizing the bank's commitment to sustainable development.
