Buy

Q1FY26 business performance: CSB Bank reported healthy growth in Q1FY26, with gross advances up 31% YoY (3.3% QoQ) to 32,552 crore, led by gold loans (36% YoY), corporate (32%), SME (31%) and retail ex-gold (19%), while deposits rose 20.1% YoY (-2.5% QoQ) to 35,935 crore, supported by 22.3% YoY growth in term deposits. However, margin pressure persisted, with NIM contracting 21 bps QoQ to 3.54% due to excess liquidity and higher funding costs. Other income rose 42% YoY, with fee-based income up 22% YoY. Asset quality optically weakened, with GNPA rising 27 bps QoQ to 1.84%, though one large account has been...

Net interest income fell 0.5% YoY to Rs. 10,469cr, and consequently, net interest margin (NIM) shrank 30 basis points (bps) to 2.6%, owing to a drop in yield on advances to 7.9% (-40bps YoY) in Q2FY26. Pre-provision profit rose 5.5% YoY to Rs. 7,227cr in Q2FY26, fuelled by drop in...

We expect moderate multiple expansion as the bank sustains mid-teen RoE, stable margins, and continued balance sheet strengthening.

We remain constructive on SBI, supported by the upward-revised credit growth guidance of 12–14% for FY26, a healthy corporate pipeline, and stable NIMs (above 3%) and CRR-related tailwind ahead.

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock.

We are enthused with RBL Bank’s (RBL) proposed transaction with Emirates NBD (ENBD) as it brings strong parentage to RBL, opens huge secular growth runway and solves frequent capital needs (pro forma CET 1 >35%).

State Bank of India (SBI) reported yet another strong quarter with Q2FY26 PAT of INR 201.6bn, aided by the Yes Bank stake sale along with superior loan / core fee growth, NIM and comfortable asset quality.

SBI continues to report sector-beating credit growth of 13% YoY and margins of 2.97% (up 7bps QoQ), which, coupled with the higher other income, led to a strong 7.4% PAT beat at Rs202bn/1.2% RoA.

Advance comprises of MSME (40%) and Agri (16%) segment. Diversifying focus towards other retail segment home loan, personal loan etc. Q2FY26 performance: City Union Bank reported strong performance in Q2FY26, with PAT rising 15% YoY to 328.6 crore, aided by healthy loan growth and margin expansion. Advances grew 18% YoY to 57,561 crore, led by robust traction in MSME and retail segments, while deposits increased 21% YoY to 69,486 crore, supported by a 16% rise in CASA. NIM improved 9 bps QoQ to 3.63%, owing to moderation in the cost of deposits and a favourable change in asset mix. Other...

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock.

City Union Bank reported a higher-than-estimated earnings growth in Q2, aided by a healthy 18.7% y/y credit growth and a strong 11.3% y/y growth in core PPoP.

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock, supported by its reasonable valuations.

Bank of Baroda reported a healthy performance in Q2 FY26, led by improved operating performance and pick-up in credit growth.

Key Development: Federal Bank Board has approved the preferential issuance of up to 27.3 crore warrants to Blackstone affiliate Asia II Topco XIII Pte. Ltd., raising 6,197 crore. Each warrant, priced at 227, is convertible into one equity share with a face value of 2 and a premium of 225. Upon full conversion, the investor will hold a 9.99% stake and gain the right to nominate one non-executive director to the bank's board. The warrants have an 18-month exercise period, with 25% payment due at subscription and the remaining 75% at conversion. The proposal is...

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock.

The management said that NIM is expected to bottom out by Q3FY26, assuming there are no further rate cuts and the balance sheet mix improves. businesses. The management guided that margin is likely to bottom out in the coming quarters as anticipated repo rate cuts exert near-term yield pressure. The bank is focused execution excellence, expanding its distribution network across 2,740 branches and accelerating digital transformation through pioneering agentic AI-powered payment solution for UPI and multiple CBDC initiatives. Company's management is focused on its GPS strategy for building a resilient franchise....

We maintain our BUY recommendation on the stock.

Consistent in delivering superior RoA of 2+% and RoE of 13+% Q2FY26 performance: Kotak Mahindra Bank delivered a steady Q2FY26 performance, marked by advances growth of 16% YoY (4% QoQ), led by strong traction in business banking and mortgages, while deposits rose 15% YoY (3.1% QoQ) with CASA at 42.3%., reflecting strong franchise momentum. NIM stood at 4.54% (11 bps QoQ) as the full impact of repo rate cuts and lower high-yield mix. Credit cost moderated to 79 bps (vs 93 bps in Q1) with improvement in MFI and credit card portfolios, while asset quality remained robust (GNPA/NNPA:...

Federal Bank (FB) has approved up to 9.9% stake dilution to a Blackstone managed fund (fund) via preferential issues of warrants. The transaction would boost pro forma CET 1 by ~280bps (over the next 18 months) and FY27E ABV may rise by ~4%.