​Pakistan, Karachi – 23 November 2023:

HBL has become a signatory to the United Nations Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a set of seven principles developed by UN Women and the UN Global Compact. The WEPs framework offers guidance to businesses on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. This initiative is in line with HBL’s diversity agenda and its vision of creating a more diverse and equitable workforce. HBL has always considered diversity as a key pillar to its growth and takes pride in integrating females within its workforce.

WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Established by UN Women and UN Global Compact, the WEPs are informed by international labor and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Speaking on the initiative, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL, said, “We believe that gender equality is essential for sustainable economic development and social progress. HBL is proud to sign up for the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are the bedrock of HBL’s growth and business outcomes. DEI allows us to have a wider range of perspectives, experiences, and skill sets, which leads to better decision-making and an improved working environment at the Bank. DEI has never been a tick in the box for HBL; we are in fact the Most Inclusive Organization of 2022, having won awards in all 15 categories for Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB). We look forward to working with WEP to make a meaningful contribution to the advancement of gender equality around the world.”

Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL (standing 1st from left) and Dr Ma Jun, President Institute of Finance & Sustainability (standing 3rd from left) at the CASI ceremony held during COP 28 in Dubai, UAE. ​

Pakistan, Karachi – 5th December 2023:

HBL today, by invitation from the Institute of Finance & Sustainability, joined the Capacity Building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI) to become the first CASI member in Pakistan.

CASI is an international cooperation platform aiming to deliver high-quality and higher-impact sustainable finance capacity building services for developing countries, via developing a “global aggregator and distributor of sustainable finance knowledge”.

Under the guidelines of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), HBL remains focused on sustainability and green operations initiatives. The Bank became a member of UNEP FI making it a signatory to the Principles of Responsible Banking (PRB) and Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). As the first CASI member in Pakistan, HBL will contribute its expertise and resources to the alliance’s capacity-building efforts, enhance awareness, and create linkage with academia.

Speaking on the initiative, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO – HBL said, “This ground-breaking initiative will help to bridge the knowledge gap in sustainable finance and provide much-needed support to developing countries as they transition to a greener economy. We are committed to working with our partners to make CASI a success and to ensure that it delivers a real impact on the ground. HBL’s role as a member will not be limited to the financial sector but also regulators, ministries, national designated authorities, the workforce, and academia so that a comprehensive ecosystem can be built.”

Khaqan Mohammed Khan, Global Head FI & GRB – HBL (standing 4th from left), received the award on behalf of the Bank during the 3rd Pakistan Remittance Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Senior members of the Bank were also present on this occasion.​

Pakistan, Karachi – 11 December 2023:

HBL has been recognized by the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) as the “Leading Remittance Mobilizing Bank of Pakistan”. The Bank was recognized for its exceptional contribution to channeling over $2 billion (FY2023) in remittances to Pakistan. The award was presented at the 3rd Pakistan Remittance Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, held under the patronage of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Pakistan Remittance Summit brings together leaders and innovators at the forefront of remittance biggest companies from Pakistan. The event is an exploration of the infinite possibilities of the future of Pakistan with innovators, creative minds, and progressive thinkers of the financial industry.

Speaking on the recognition Abrar Ahmed Mir, Chief Innovation & Financial Inclusion Officer – HBL said, “We understand the importance of remittances in supporting the Pakistani economy. We are committed to providing fast, secure, and affordable remittance services that make it easy for overseas Pakistanis to send money back home. With our extensive network of branches and partnerships, our innovative digital platforms, and our unwavering dedication to customer service, we’re proud to be the trusted partner for Pakistanis around the world.”

HBL inaugurated Peshawar’s first Prestige Lounge at University Road. Valued clients and members of the leadership team of the Bank were also present at the inauguration.

Pakistan, Karachi – 9 January 2024:

HBL inaugurated Peshawar’s first Prestige Lounge located at University Road on 9 January 2024. The Prestige footprint is now spread across 18 cities including an international footprint in Jumeirah, Dubai with plans to expand further. The inauguration of the lounge was done by HBL’s valued clients. Members of the leadership team of the Bank were also present at the inauguration.

HBL Prestige provides a world-class banking experience to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). This exclusive proposition offers seamless instant account opening with tailored solutions through dedicated digital and physical channels and portfolio managers. The account offers personalized banking services to its clients including but not limited to instant world elite debit card issuance, dedicated conference rooms, and top-notch alliances. The state-of-the-art Prestige Lounges are located strategically in high-visibility areas of key cities.

​Pakistan, Karachi – 31 January 2024:

HBL, the Best Bank in Agriculture Financing leads with over Rs 2 billion in financing for solar-powered tubewells, thus, empowering farmers and fostering sustainability. This achievement is a testament to HBL’s commitment towards enabling farmers’ dreams of growth and prosperity through access to finance.

This milestone financing enables more than 850 farmers across Pakistan to irrigate their crops and orchards at the right time using environmentally friendly energy. This approach helps the farmers increase crop yields and farm productivity with the right quantity of water.

Commenting on this achievement, Ahmed Naazer Minhaj, Head Agriculture Banking - HBL stated, “Farmers have been facing challenges of water shortages, increased electricity tariff and diesel prices, which will be addressed largely by converting the tubewells to solar energy. This milestone corresponds to HBL’s commitment to transition to clean energy in agriculture, fostering reduction in carbon emissions and prospering farmers through the adoption of innovative technologies conveniently and cost-effectively”.

​Karachi – 14 February 2024:

HBL enters the world of Esports with the launch of the Konnect by HBL, EAFC Gaming Tournament. The tournament will provide a platform for aspiring and established Esports players to showcase their skills and compete. The tournament, focusing on the EAFC Football Game, will be held in Karachi on 15 February 2024, welcoming enthusiastic gamers from the city to participate. The tournament is powered by IGN and Raptr.

This exciting initiative marks a significant step towards connecting with the nation’s growing youth population and fostering a thriving Esports ecosystem within the country. By providing a platform for competition, nurturing talent, and promoting responsible gaming practices, HBL’s branchless banking platform, Konnect by HBL aims to play a key role in shaping the future of Esports in the country.

Commenting on the initiative, Ali Habib, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – HBL, said, “Pakistan has a booming gamers community of over 37 million people. Gaming and Esports are a fast-growing subculture, and we believe the Bank’s initiative aligns perfectly with its commitment to empowering dreams and providing an enabling environment for the youth of Pakistan.”

Arham Ghauri - 1st prize winner of PKR 250,000 (standing 2nd from left), Areeb Rehman - 2nd prize winner of PKR 150,000 (standing 3rd from left) and Salman Shah - 3rd prize winner of PKR 100,000 (standing 1st from left) at the Konnect by HBL, EAFC Gaming Tournament.

​Karachi – 15 February 2024:

The inaugural EAFC Gaming Tournament, held under the auspices of Konnect by HBL, offered a platform for aspiring and established Esports players to showcase their skills and compete. The electrifying EAFC Football Game competition, held in Karachi, drew over 100 enthusiastic gamers, showcasing their skills and passion for the virtual arena.

After hours of intense competition, the top three finalists emerged victorious, leaving the audience in awe of their gaming prowess and lightning-fast reflexes. The podium finishers are:

• 1st Place: Arham Ghauri – Claiming the coveted champion trophy and a grand prize of PKR 250,000.
• 2nd Place: Areeb Rehman – Taking home the runner-up prize of PKR 150,000.
• 3rd Place: Salman Shah – Earning the third-place honours and a prize of PKR 100,000.

Commenting on the initiative, Ali Habib, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – HBL, said, “HBL congratulates all the gamers for their skills and sportsmanship. This EAFC tournament marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s Esports landscape: Konnect by HBL will deepen its association with Esports. Aur Khelo.”

​Lahore – 17 February 2024:

The biggest sporting spectacle of the year, HBLPSL, returns for an electrifying season 9, this time with a game-changing theme: “Palat Do Khel”. Kicking off today in Lahore, the tournament matches will be held across four cities – Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. The final will be played on 18 March 2024 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

HBL’s commitment to HBLPSL reflects its passion for uplifting Pakistan’s image. “Palat Do Khel” urges Pakistanis to capture the nation’s positive spirit and create inspiring content showcasing its true self.

Commenting on the HBLPSL Season 9, Ali Habib, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – HBL, said, “HBLPSL is about enabling dreams, both for players and for our nation’s sporting future. This year, with “Palat Do Khel” we aim to capture the true self of our country. Dikhao Pakistan may kuch acha… Palat Do Khel.”

​Karachi – 23 February 2024:

HBL today declared a record profit before tax of Rs 113.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, 47% higher than the PBT recorded in 2022. Profit after tax has increased to Rs 57.8 billion, a commendable 68% growth over last year. Earnings per share for 2023 increased to Rs 39.32, compared to Rs 23.23 in 2022. Along with the results, the Bank declared a final dividend of Rs 4.00 per share, bringing the total dividend for 2023 to Rs 9.75 per share.

HBL grew its balance sheet by 19% to Rs 5.5 trillion. Deposits displayed a robust growth of 19% over 2022, closing at Rs 4.1 trillion with domestic deposits increasing by Rs 533 billion to Rs 3.5 trillion. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, HBL’s total advances increased to Rs 1.9 trillion over December 2022, with Consumer loans, agriculture lending and microfinance all setting new benchmarks. Average deposits increased by nearly Rs 350 billion mostly from low-cost deposit growth.

HBL’s average balance sheet increased by an impressive Rs 700 billion, while rising rates translated into a 159 bps improvement in net interest margin. This drove a 46% rise in HBL’s total net interest income which grew to Rs 242 billion, the highest in the industry. The Bank continued to dominate the realm of fee income, which posted yet another stellar growth of 34%, clocking in at Rs 42.3 billion in 2023. Fee growth was once again dominated by HBL’s pre-eminent Cards business while trade, cash management and retail banking all delivered more than 20% increases. Total revenue thus grew by 41% to Rs 300 billion, the highest ever for HBL and in the Pakistan banking sector.

The strong revenue base helped to reduce the cost / income ratio to 56.8% in 2023. The Bank’s prudent provisioning ensures that the coverage remains well above 100%. The record results also boosted the Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), which moved up by 118bps to over 16%, well ahead of regulatory requirements.

Commenting on the Bank’s performance, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President & CEO - HBL said, “HBL navigated another year of economic challenges successfully, with exceptional results. This achievement stems from our unwavering commitment to client-centricity, innovation, and responsible banking practices. The Bank remained focused on delivering on three strategic pillars, which underpin its medium-term strategy namely; Growing Pakistan’s Economy, Shaping the Financial Industry and Achieving Regional Relevance. We have further solidified our impact beyond profit margins through strategic partnerships and impactful initiatives. We remain grateful for the trust of our clients and are committed to exceeding their expectations. HBL is well-positioned to navigate the future and create lasting value for all stakeholders.”

Under the guidance of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and in line with Pakistan’s strategic priorities, HBL is committed to playing a leading role in developing the agricultural sector and promoting food security. HBL, together with HBL Microfinance, have extended over Rs 100 billion in loans to small farmers. Following on from its transformative initiatives in agriculture, HBL has recently incorporated HBL Zarai Services Limited an agriculture services extension company – yet another first in Pakistan. This year HBL was awarded the Best Bank for Agriculture for the 5th time in the 9 year history of the Pakistan Banking Awards.

At HBL increasing digitalization of every aspect of our businesses has become a way of life. This year, we have again introduced trailblazing products to shape Pakistan’s financial services landscape – Digital Invoicing, an Urdu mobile app, TalkBack for the visually impaired. HBL has partnered with P@SHA in a landmark opportunity to showcase one of Pakistan’s premier but under-celebrated sectors. From HBL Mobile to Konnect, from QR to HBL Pay, the Bank continues to raise the bar in delivering creative, first-of-a-kind solutions for its customers, cementing its position as a technology company with a banking license. In 2023, Asiamoney named HBL as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions Pakistan and the CFA Society Pakistan awarded us with the Best Digital Banking Services award.

We launched our 2nd Sustainability Report to critical acclaim by stakeholders, embarked on our progress to Net Zero and reduced our carbon footprint through solarization and a number of other activities. HBL is the first and only Pakistani bank to be a member of the Capacity-building Alliance of Sustainable Investment (CASI), launched at the recent COP28 in Dubai, which promotes best practices for sustainable finance. HBL also became a signatory to the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), aligning its efforts with global initiatives to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. For its achievements in increasing women participation in the financial sector through HBL Nisa, was also awarded the ‘2023 Access to Finance Champion Award’ by the Financial Alliance for Women. We provided an array of opportunities to the differently-abled, both as staff and customers. For the second year running, the Bank was recognized by the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) as the Most Inclusive Organization in Pakistan, an award we truly cherish.