The State Bank of India (SBI) is gearing up for an important board meeting on May 3, 2025, aimed at reviewing its financial performance for the quarter ending March 31, 2025. This gathering will also tackle a significant agenda item: a proposal for raising equity in the upcoming financial year, 2025-26 (FY26). Following this announcement, SBI’s shares experienced a noticeable drop, opening down more than 2% at ₹795.65 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) on April 30.

Upcoming Board Meeting Details

In its official communication, SBI emphasized the scheduled board meeting in Mumbai. The announcement specified that the board will review the financial results for both the quarter and the full year concluding on March 31, 2025. This strategic meeting will also explore various fundraising options, which could include:

• Follow-on Public Offer (FPO)
• Rights Issue
• Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP)
• Other methods as deemed appropriate

SBI’s filing indicated that the approval of the Government of India or the Reserve Bank of India may be required for the fundraising initiatives.

Highlights from SBI’s Recent Performance

The bank’s financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, showcased a remarkable growth trajectory. SBI reported an 84% surge in net profit, reaching an impressive ₹16,891 crore, a significant rise from ₹9,164 crore in the previous year.

Key financial metrics include:

• Net Interest Income rose by 4% to ₹41,446 crore, up from ₹39,816 crore in the same quarter last year.
• Employee expenses saw a substantial decline of 17%, dropping to ₹16,074 crore.
• A 14.06% year-on-year growth was recorded in the domestic loan portfolio.

Operating Profit Insights

SBI’s operating profit for the third quarter of FY24 increased by 15.8%, amounting to ₹23,550.81 crore, compared to ₹20,336.08 crore in the previous year. However, there was a sequential decline of 19.6% from the ₹29,293.74 crore reported in the second quarter of FY25.

As SBI prepares for this pivotal meeting, stakeholders are keenly watching how the proposed equity raise could influence the bank’s growth strategies and overall market performance. With a track record of solid financial results, SBI’s upcoming decisions could set the tone for its operations in the next fiscal year. For those interested in the banking sector, these developments are certainly worth following closely.