{
  "id": 2563966,
  "title": "SBP Urges Banks to Boost Retail Deposits and Private Sector Lending",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/sbp-urges-banks-to-boost-retail-deposits-and-private-sector-lending",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-22T10:58:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/08/22/sbp-urges-banks-to-boost-retail-deposits-and-private-sector-lending/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed has called on banks to shift their focus to boosting retail deposits and increasing private sector lending, emphasizing the sector's crucial role in Pakistan's economic growth. Speaking at the 11th Pakistan Banking Awards 2026 in Karachi, Ahmed highlighted Pakistan's economic resilience despite challenges, including floods, geopolitical tensions, and global trade uncertainty. Inflation remained close to the target range, and current account deficit was near the lower end of projections. Foreign exchange reserves surpassed the $18 billion target. Banks' total assets reached Rs. 69 trillion, with deposits at Rs. 43 trillion by the end of June 2026. Ahmed noted that banks were still relatively small as a percentage of GDP, and suggested they reduce reliance on cash by offering competitive rates and quality services. He urged banks to increase private sector lending, which remains low compared to other emerging markets. The governor stressed that a stronger retail deposit base would foster financial inclusion and provide banks with a more stable funding source.",
  "summary": "State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmed has urged banks to reorient their business models toward stronger retail deposit … Read More The post SBP Urges Banks to Boost Retail Deposits and Private Sector Lending appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}