Hon. Matia Kasaija (C), The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Evelyn Anite (2nd R), the State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Joseph Areu (2nd L) Pearl Bank, Non Executive Board Member, Julius Kakeeto (L), Pearl Bank Managing Director, and other Pearl Bank Board Member's during the Bank’s 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development offices in Kampala on Tuesday, 05th May 2026. The Bank was applauded by Shareholders (MoFPED) for being a profitable, national, impact-led institution after recording a UGX 47 billion in PAT.
Hon. Matia Kasaija (C), The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Evelyn Anite (2nd R), the State Minister for Investment and Privatization, Joseph Areu (2nd L) Pearl Bank, Non Executive Board Member, Julius Kakeeto (L), Pearl Bank Managing Director, and other Pearl Bank Board Member’s during the Bank’s 2025 Annual General Meeting at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development offices in Kampala on Tuesday, 05th May 2026. The Bank was applauded by Shareholders (MoFPED) for being a profitable, national, impact-led institution after recording a Shs 47 billion in PAT.
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Pearl Bank Uganda has delivered a robust financial performance for the year ending 2025, registering significant growth in profitability, customer deposits, and digital financial services, cementing its position among the country’s fastest-growing financial institutions.
The bank reported a 34 percent increase in net Profit After Tax (PAT), rising to Shs47.3 billion in 2025 from Shs35.4 billion the previous year. The strong performance was underpinned by growth in interest income, improved asset utilisation, and disciplined cost management.
Managing Director Julius Kakeeto said the results reflect the successful execution of the bank’s long-term strategy.
“The bank has aligned its operations with the government’s growth strategies, including the recently rolled out NDP IV agenda, which aims to accelerate the socio-economic transformation of Uganda. In this regard, the Bank has offered tailored financial solutions that continue to usher Ugandans into endless opportunities that inspire growth and prosperity,” Kakeeto said.
Growth in customer deposits
He added: “Last year’s performance was attributed to the growth in customer deposits, which is a clear vote of confidence from our customers, while the rapid adoption of Wendi demonstrates the power of digital platforms in transforming access to financial services. We are building a bank that is not only profitable but also relevant to the everyday lives of Ugandans.”
Customer confidence in the bank strengthened considerably during the year, with deposits growing by 43 percent to Shs1.42 trillion, up from Shs990 billion in 2024. This milestone saw the bank surpass the Shs1 trillion mark for the first time, reflecting increased trust in its stability and service delivery.
The growth in deposits has also boosted the bank’s capacity to lend to key sectors of the economy. Its loan book expanded to Shs749 billion, demonstrating continued commitment to financing businesses despite a challenging environment characterised by rising interest rates.
A major highlight of the year was the rapid expansion of the bank’s digital platform, Wendi. Deposits held on the mobile wallet surged more than fivefold to Shs240.5 billion, up from Shs45.5 billion in 2024, underscoring the success of Pearl Bank’s digital financial inclusion strategy.
Solid capital position
Overall, total income rose to Shs298 billion, driven by strong performance across loans, investment securities, and non-funded income streams. The bank also maintained a solid capital position, with a capital adequacy ratio of 24.87 percent, well above regulatory requirements.
Total assets grew by 31 percent to Shs1.87 trillion, supported by prudent risk management and strategic asset allocation. The bank also increased its market share to 4 percent, outperforming industry averages across key indicators.
Board Chairman Andrew Otengo Owiny described 2025 as a transformative year, particularly following the bank’s rebranding from PostBank Uganda to Pearl Bank Uganda.
“I am pleased to report that the rebranding exercise is now at an advanced stage and nearing completion. The rebrand has successfully positioned Pearl Bank as a modern, impact-driven national commercial bank, firmly anchored in Uganda’s development agenda,” Owiny said.
Ministers hail performance
The bank’s performance has also drawn praise from government leaders. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said the growth reflects broader economic progress but urged the bank to expand lending further.
“Pearl Bank’s growth mirrors the strength of Uganda’s economy… I commend the Bank’s progress, but I also urge it to step up lending to productive sectors because credit is the fuel that will drive the next phase of our economic transformation,” Kasaija noted. Sice the bank has 100% government shareholding, the minister authorised the board to re-invest the Shs 47 billion profit into the bank’s operations to make it even more vibrant in the market.
State Minister for Finance Evelyn Anite emphasized the importance of strengthening local institutions. “It is inspiring to see a fully Ugandan bank delivering results at this level. Pearl Bank can leverage its strong customer base and alignment with government priorities to compete with multinationals not just locally, but across the region,” she said.
Beyond financial performance, the bank continued to deliver significant economic and social impact. It disbursed Shs340 billion in agricultural loans, supporting over 11,000 farmers, while Shs398 billion was extended to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), benefiting nearly 18,000 businesses.
Through its Wendi platform, the bank has expanded financial access to grassroots communities, reaching over 5,000 parishes and onboarding more than 15,000 SACCOs. The platform has facilitated transactions worth Shs1.2 trillion, supporting the government’s Parish Development Model.
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