Stanbic posts UGX 278bn H1 profit as securities uptake and lending to businesses surge

August 18, 2025 in Business, Financial Services by Editor

A branch opening on the outskirts of Kampala reflecting Stanbic’s continued market leadership. Karuhanga described the bank as the cornerstone of SUHL’s continued success with half-year profit-after-tax for 2025 topping UGX278 billion (about $78 million).

Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), anchored by Stanbic Bank, reported a first half profit after tax of UGX 278 billion for 2025 marking an 18 pc increase over the same period last year.

Total customer deposits were up 28.9 pc to UGX8.4 trillion while total lending topped UGX4.9 trillion, an increase of 12.9 pc compared to the previous year. For shareholders, the return on equity was 27 pc, seven points higher than the targeted 20 pc. In terms of operations, the cost-to-income ratio was well below the 50 pc threshold.

SUHL also paid UGX273 billion in taxes to the government, a 37 pc increase from the UGX198 billion during the first half of 2024. On behalf of the Uganda Revenue Authority, Stanbic Bank payment platforms allowed taxpayers to remit UGX5.8 trillion.

The other SUHL subsidiaries are SBG Securities, Stanbic Properties, Flyhub, (the fintech company), and the Stanbic Business Incubator Limited, responsible of enterprise development and capacity building.

Referring to the latest figures, Francis Karuhanga, the SUHL Chief Executive said, “Our anchor subsidiary, Stanbic Bank Uganda, remains the cornerstone of our success. Corporate and Investment Banking recorded a 17 pc increase in lending and a 52 pc rise in deposits.”

He said Business and Commercial Banking together with Private and Personal Banking also posted solid growth across lending and deposits, reflecting the wide appeal and relevance of Stanbic Bank products and services across Uganda’s economy.

He said the bank continues to play a fundamental role in Uganda’s transformation by expanding access to finance, particularly for youth and women-led enterprises that remain the foundation of the nation’s prosperity. “In the first half of 2025, we injected UGX288 billion of new capital into local businesses, bringing out total SME loan-book to UGX968 billion—up from the UGX950 billion inH1 2024.”

Under the recently launched three-year Women Youth and Farmers (WYF) Growth Agenda, the bank is investing up to UGX 1 trillion with the ultimate aim of fostering inclusive economic prosperity.

Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa, the Stanbic Bank Chief Executive said, “This Agenda underscores our belief that as Stanbic thrives commercially, our customers and communities must reflect that success in their businesses and livelihoods.”

Total lending to the agricultural sector reached UGX398 billion of which UGX65 billion was invested in farmer Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCOs).

“Our SACCO lending and capacity building programme has empowered over 405,000 SACCO members directly and more than 2.5 million Ugandans indirectly by providing affordable credit at competitive interest rates between 10 pc and 12.5 pc—promoting financial inclusion in rural communities,” Kalifungwa said.

Between January and June this year, over 4000 women-led businesses accessed loans totaling UGX40 billion representing an 8.6 pc increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Karuhanga said, “One of the standout performers during this half-year period, is SBG Securities with exemplifies the success of our strategy to entrench and diversify revenue streams. SBG Securities’ Assets under Management surged to UGX216 billion, representing a remarkable year-on-year growth of 327 pc.”

He said the Stanbic Unit Trust client base expanded by 320 pc and underscored the holding company’s commitment to innovation and diversification as engines of sustainable growth.

During H1 2025, the Stanbic Business Incubator reached 1500 businesses, equipping them with skills in governance, financial management and growth strategies—achieving 50 pc of the annual target of 3000 SMEs. Stanbic says this work is crucial in nurturing Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially among women and youth-led enterprises.