Finance Ministry to Review Q1 Performance with State-Owned Bank CEOs on August 20

The quarterly review of public sector banks will not be a simple scorecard. With profits rising, challenges appearing, and inclusion targets underway, the Finance Ministry wants to see how the first quarter of FY26 is shaping the path ahead.

Can one quarter tell the story of an entire banking sector? That is the question hanging before the Finance Ministry as it prepares to meet the chiefs of all state-owned banks on 20 August 2025. 

The meeting will be chaired by Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju. It comes at a time when public sector banks are showing profits at record levels but also revealing sharp differences in performance. Some lenders are marching ahead while others are slowing down.

The agenda is not limited to profits. It will also cover weak points, policy focus, and future growth. This makes the August review more than a routine check.

Reports Show Rising Profits in Q1 FY26

Public sector banks together reported a net profit of ₹44,218 crore in the first quarter of FY26. This is 11 per cent higher than the ₹39,974 crore reported in Q1 FY25. The number is impressive, but the growth is not evenly spread.

The profits of many banks rose on account of treasury gains, higher income from other sources, and lower provisioning. Net interest income, however, was largely flat. This indicates pressure on margins after policy rate cuts. The Finance Ministry will use the meeting to ask whether banks are prepared for a period of softer margins.

Finance Ministry Q1 Performance Review 2024

The Finance Ministry Q1 performance review 2024 will use official figures already made public. State Bank of India stood at the top with ₹19,160 crore in net profit for Q1 FY26, a growth of 12 per cent year-on-year. This single bank alone contributed 43 per cent of the entire sector’s profit.

Other lenders showed mixed numbers. Indian Overseas Bank reported a net profit of ₹1,111 crore, a rise of 76 per cent compared with Q1 FY25. Punjab & Sind Bank recorded a 48 per cent increase at ₹269 crore. But Punjab National Bank reported a fall of 48 per cent, bringing profits down to ₹1,675 crore from ₹3,252 crore in 2024.

Such sharp contrasts show that not all banks are moving at the same pace. The August meeting is expected to question why some state-owned banks are surging while others are lagging.

State-Owned Banks Q1 Results Meeting

The state-owned banks' Q1 results meeting is expected to highlight both strong and weak points. The Central Bank of India recorded a rise of 32.8 per cent with ₹1,169 crore profit. Indian Bank saw profits increase 23.7 per cent to ₹2,973 crore. Bank of Maharashtra stood at ₹1,593 crore, growing 23.2 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2024.

The drop in PNB profits has become the outlier in these results. Analysts believe the bank may have faced higher provisions or weaker income streams. Such differences will be tabled for discussion, as the Finance Ministry will want to understand where course correction is needed.

The following table shows the reported results of some key banks in Q1 FY26:
 

The table shows a large gap between SBI and the rest of the sector. Smaller banks reported good percentage growth but remained small in absolute numbers. PNB’s fall stands in contrast to the growth story.

Public Sector Banks Q1 Performance Review

The public sector banks Q1 performance review will also address policy goals. A PIB release from June 2025 detailed that PSBs were asked to expand financial inclusion, improve digital banking, strengthen cybersecurity, and support renewable energy financing.

A three-month inclusion campaign started on July 1, 2025, targeting 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats and urban local bodies. Banks were also asked to adopt a new credit model for MSMEs to improve access. Lending to small industries and new sectors such as small modular reactors was also encouraged.

The upcoming review will see if Q1 performance is reflecting these directions. It will be a check not only on profits but also on delivery against government priorities.

The long-term picture of PSBs is also important. The following numbers come from official data in the June 2025 PIB release:
 

This data shows progress across profit, business growth, and asset quality. These are expected to remain on the discussion list during the Q1 review meeting.

Conclusion 

The story of Q1 FY26 is both about promise and caution. Profits are rising, but not equally across the sector. SBI towers above, but smaller banks show surprising momentum. PNB’s fall is a warning. The 20 August 2025 review is the stage where these contrasts will be explained and examined.

For the banks, the review is a reminder. Profits alone are not enough. Asset quality, outreach, and alignment with policy directions are equally important. For the government, it is a test to see if the directions issued in June 2025 are being followed.
 

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