Strong Loan and Deposit Growth
Central Bank of India's (CBI) lending and deposit businesses showed strong growth in the March quarter. Gross advances surged 18.9% from the previous year to ₹3.45 lakh crore, also rising 6.61% compared to the prior quarter. Total deposits grew 13.37% annually to ₹4.68 lakh crore, up 3.84% from the previous quarter. This combined expansion boosted the bank's total business by 15.65% year-on-year to ₹8.13 lakh crore, indicating steady credit demand and a widening customer base.
Rising Costs Pressure Profit Margins
However, rising funding costs are a growing concern. While total Current Account and Savings Account (CASA) deposits increased by 9.8% year-on-year, the CASA ratio fell to 47.31% from over 49% a year ago. This means low-cost deposits now make up a smaller part of CBI's total funding. This mirrors a wider industry challenge where loan growth outpaces deposit growth, forcing banks to use more expensive funding sources like Certificates of Deposit and market-linked deposits. This trend is expected to squeeze Net Interest Margins (NIMs) across the banking sector this quarter, potentially offsetting gains from increased lending.
Asset Quality Improves
Central Bank of India has also improved its asset quality. Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) fell to 2.7% in the March quarter, down from 3.01% previously. Net NPAs stayed very low at 0.45%. This positive trend in managing bad loans is in line with improvements seen across many public sector banks.
Performance Compared to Peers
CBI's performance has not matched the broader public sector bank (PSB) rally. While many PSBs saw significant stock gains last fiscal year, CBI's stock fell about 26% in FY26. This underperformance, despite its loan growth, points to investor concern. While peers like Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda also reported strong lending, CBI's falling CASA ratio is a notable issue. Despite a low P/E valuation of around 6.8x and analyst 'Buy' ratings, the market seems focused on how higher funding costs will affect future profits.
Analyst Views and Valuation
Analysts have set an average 12-month price target of ₹37.74 for CBI, suggesting limited upside or slight downside from current levels, with a consensus 'Buy' recommendation. Some technical indicators show mixed signals, rated 'Hold/Accumulate'. The bank's P/E ratio of about 6.8x is lower than the sector average, offering potential value for investors. This is especially true considering its improved asset quality and capital ratios. While the PSB sector is expected to post strong profits in FY26, individual banks will need to manage rising funding costs effectively to sustain their performance.