NBM plc announces 59% H1 profit increase

Malawi Freedom Network
September 1, 2026
Estimated read time 2 min read
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By Suleman Chitera

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has announced a half-year profit after tax of K133.97 billion for the period January to June 2026, representing a 59% increase from the 2025 financials.

In a statement signed by Board Chairman Grant Kabango, Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya, Chief Financial Officer Daniel Jere and Director Madalo Mwenelupembe, the bank indicates that the profits were largely driven by an increase in customer deposits, which in return resulted in the expansion of the loan portfolio.

“Customer deposits increased by 32%, while the Bank’s loan book registered growth of 21%. Investment in fixed income securities grew by 24% (2025: 67%), resulting in growth in net revenue by 37%,” reads the statement

The statement further announces that due to the improved loan portfolio and recoveries, net credit impairment charges have decreased.

“Net credit impairment charges fell by 102%, from a charge of K12.7 billion in the prior year to a net recovery of K0.3 billion, mainly due to improved performance of the loan portfolio and recoveries on some significant non-performing facilities despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions,” reads the statement.

In terms of the operating environment, the bank said the economy has shown signs of stabilization, although there was a rise in non-food inflation.

“After the launch of the National Economic Recovery Plan, inflation fell to 21.1% in the second quarter of 2026, from 23.8% in the first quarter, mainly due to improved food supplies after the harvest. Food inflation eased to 14.7%, while non-food inflation rose to 32.1%, driven by higher fuel, utility and transport costs, as well as rising prices of imported goods linked to informal market exchange rates,” reads the statement in part.

Looking forward, the bank has projected a slow economic recovery, with a cut in the growth forecast.

“Malawi’s economic recovery is expected to slow in the second half of 2026, with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) cutting its growth forecast to 2.8% from 3.8%. International institutions are forecasting growth of between 2.3% and 2.8%. For the rest of 2026, inflation is expected to continue easing gradually, while the policy rate is likely to remain at 24% through at least October,” the statement reads further.

Meanwhile, with a dividend expected in October, an interim dividend of K30 billion has been declared, representing K64.25 per share, compared to K35.64 per share in 2025