ISLAMABAD, July 6, 2026 (special crosspondent) – The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA) has upgraded easypaisa digital bank’s long-term credit rating from A+ to AA-, marking a significant endorsement of the bank’s robust position as Pakistan’s foremost digital bank and its successful transition into a fully licensed Digital Retail Bank (DRB).

Second Consecutive Upgrade Reflects Strong Financial Health

This marks easypaisa’s second consecutive credit rating upgrade from PACRA within a two-year period, serving as a powerful independent validation of its transformation into Pakistan’s first licensed Digital Retail Bank. Such consecutive upgrades are infrequent within the financial sector and underscore the strength of easypaisa’s balance sheet, the discipline of its risk management practices, and the sustained scale and resilience of its digital ecosystem.

Momentum Post-DRB License

Following the attainment of its commercial DRB license in January 2025, easypaisa has sustained strong momentum across its digital ecosystem. This progress is underpinned by robust transaction volumes, increasing customer engagement, and its widely adopted mobile application, which remains the central pillar of its digital banking services.

Strategic Shareholder Support

easypaisa benefits from ongoing strategic support from its shareholders, notably Telenor. Furthermore, continued knowledge sharing and technological backing from Ant Group bolster its credit rating, enhancing the institution’s operational capabilities and long-term growth prospects.

Commitment to Financial Inclusion and Shareholder Value

With this rating upgrade, easypaisa remains focused on leveraging its enhanced financial standing to create greater value for customers, promote financial inclusion, and deliver sustainable returns for its shareholders. Jahanzeb Khan, President & CEO of easypaisa digital bank, commented, “This rating upgrade is a strong endorsement of easypaisa digital bank’s strategy, execution, and long-term vision of building a more inclusive and digitally empowered financial ecosystem while maintaining a strong balance sheet. As Pakistan’s first digital bank to commence commercial operations, we are focused on expanding access to formal financial services, deepening customer engagement through innovation, and delivering seamless digital experiences that empower individuals and businesses across the country. This recognition further strengthens our resolve to accelerate financial inclusion and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s digital transformation journey.”

Robust Financial Fundamentals

Amin Sukhiani, Chief Financial Officer of easypaisa digital bank, stated, “The upgrade reflects the strength of our financial fundamentals, the resilience of our business model, and our ability to deliver sustainable growth at scale. Strong growth in deposits, profitability, capital adequacy, and customer adoption demonstrates the robustness of our digital banking model and reinforces the confidence of our stakeholders. We remain committed to maintaining prudent risk management, strong governance standards, and a solid balance sheet as we continue to support the bank’s next phase of growth.”

Comprehensive Digital Services and Ecosystem

Over the years, easypaisa has evolved into one of Pakistan’s leading digital financial services platforms, offering a comprehensive suite of financial solutions including payments, lending, banking, savings, insurance, and merchant services to both retail and business customers. Through its advanced mobile application and nationwide agent network, easypaisa facilitates instant and secure fund transfers, bill payments, mobile balance and package recharges, digital loans and savings facilities, debit card services, and various collection and disbursement solutions for corporates and merchants. Its robust digital infrastructure, extensive distribution network, and continually expanding digital ecosystem play a crucial role in advancing financial inclusion and solidify its leadership position within Pakistan’s rapidly evolving digital financial services sector.

Record Transactions and User Growth

In 2025, easypaisa processed over 4.6 billion financial transactions, with a total value of PKR 16 trillion, reflecting the broad scale and increasing integration of its digital ecosystem. During the same period, monthly active users grew to over 22 million. Branchless banking deposits surged to PKR 122.8 billion, a significant increase from PKR 72.4 billion in 2024, showcasing rising customer engagement and deeper adoption of digital wallets. The bank’s financial performance also saw substantial improvement, with Profit After Tax (PAT) recorded at PKR 17.04 billion, a five-fold increase compared to the previous year. This growth was driven by a stable increase in net markup income and fee generation. Concurrently, the bank’s equity grew to PKR 30.9 billion, and its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) improved to 20.4%, providing a strong financial foundation for future growth and potential financial risks. The merchant network also expanded significantly, with the number of affiliated merchants reaching 300,000. In 2025, the bank’s balance sheet experienced robust growth, with total assets reaching PKR 184.8 billion, a notable increase from PKR 108.4 billion in 2024. The primary driver of this growth was the bank’s investment portfolio, which expanded to PKR 113.3 billion, supported by sustained deposit growth and effective profit utilization.

Pivotal Role in Digital Finance

As Pakistan’s first digital bank to commence commercial operations, easypaisa continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the country’s digital finance ecosystem. With over 60 million registered users and a vast nationwide network reaching communities across Pakistan, easypaisa is committed to fulfilling the vision of the State Bank of Pakistan for fostering inclusive economic growth through innovation and technology.