KARACHI: Banks disbursed Rs128.1 billion in the four months to October, which is 25.6 per cent of the annual target of Rs500bn and 40.4pc higher than Rs91.2bn disbursed during the year-ago period.

The outstanding portfolio of agri loans increased by Rs32bn, from Rs267.4bn to Rs299.4bn at end October 2014 compared to the same period last year.

Among the major banks, MCB Bank achieved 35.5pc of its annual target, UBL 35pc, HBL 32pc, ABL 26pc and NBP 22pc during the July-October period.

Under the specialised banks category, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) disbursed Rs10.7bn, and the Punjab Provincial Cooperative Bank Limited (PPCBL) Rs1.6bn.

Of the 15 domestic private banks, Summit Bank has achieved 43pc of its target, Faysal Bank 39pc, Bank Alfalah 38pc, NIB Bank 32pc, Silkbank 30pc, Bank of Khyber 27pc, and Bank Al Habib 26pc.

Under microfinance category, seven banks as a group disbursed Rs4.2bn against their annual target of Rs28.2bn, while under Islamic mode of financing four banks collectively disbursed Rs643.9 million against Rs2.3bn.

Published in Dawn, November 22th , 2014