PACRA assigns credit ratings to BoP

The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) has maintained the long-term and short-term entity ratings of The Bank of Punjab (BoP) at ‘AA-‘ (Double A minus) and ‘A1+’ (A one plus), respectively. The ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk and indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. The ratings primarily reflect association of the bank with the Government of Punjab (GoPb) as majority shareholder, which has demonstrated continued commitment and support in the dire need. Since assumption of charge by the current management led by Naeemuddin Khan, President/ CEO, the bank has achieved appreciable turnaround in all facets of operations. While ensuring sustained growth in low cost deposits coupled with introduction of new products and services, the core operations of the Bank have come into profits and showing marked improvement. The bank envisages growth in advances wherein the criteria is higher margins with better risk management. The Bank currently operates a vast network of 334 online branches spanned across the country. The Bank has also launched Islamic Banking Operations and currently has a network of 7 Islamic Banking branches, offering a range of Shariah Compliant products and services to its customers, with plan to expand the Islamic Banking Branches network to 37 by the close of the year 2014.