# PNB CEO: 15% credit growth target, strong capital buffer

> PNB CEO Chandra says bank targets 15% credit growth this year with comfortable capital buffer.
- Title: PNB CEO: 15% credit growth target, strong capital buffer
- Summary: PNB CEO Chandra says bank targets 15% credit growth this year with comfortable capital buffer. Punjab National Bank aims for 15% credit growth this fiscal…
- Keywords: pnb, credit growth, corporate loans, pnbcapital, pnbcapital buffer, pnbcapital ratio, pnbcapital growth, news, india, CEO, credit, growth
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/industry/banking/pnb-capital-credit-growth-corporate-loans-ceo-chandra-11792379719943.html
- Author: Harsh Kumar
- Published: 2026-10-19T04:42:37+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pnb, credit growth, corporate loans, pnbcapital, pnbcapital buffer, pnbcapital ratio, pnbcapital growth, news, india
## PNB capital buffer
Punjab National Bank has a comfortable capital buffer and no plans to raise capital this fiscal year.

> The state-owned bank has no plan to raise capital in the current financial year.
## Credit growth targets
PNB targets 15% credit growth this year with corporate loans at 10-11%.

> The second-largest public sector bank is targeting credit growth of about 15% while moderating corporate loan growth to 10-11%.
## Net interest margin
PNB's net interest margin improved 10 basis points to 2.74% in Q3, supported by recent repo rate hikes.

> Its domestic NIM rose 10 bps to 2.74% in the September quarter.
## Core profit growth
Core operating profit grew 29% year-on-year in Q3, following 32-33% growth in Q2.

> Core operating profit, excluding treasury and recovery, grew 29% year-on-year in the September quarter, following growth of 32-33% in the previous quarter.
## Retail and MSME growth
Retail lending to grow 18%, agriculture credit 18-19%, and MSME lending 21-22% this year.

> For PNB, retail, agriculture and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will remain the principal growth drivers.
## Deposit mobilization
PNB targets 9-10% deposit growth, with $2.7 billion foreign deposits deployed to improve margins.

> The bank is targeting deposit growth of 9-10%, against 9.9% currently, and plans to launch a millennial recurring deposit scheme shortly.
## Asset recovery targets
PNB aims to recover ₹13,000 crore for the full year, with ₹2,800 crore in Q3.

> On asset recoveries, the bank is targeting ₹ 13,000 crore for the full financial year.
## Key takeaway

Punjab National Bank aims for 15% credit growth this fiscal year while maintaining a strong capital buffer.