Faced by challenging and increasingly competitive environment, Eswatini Bank’s total assets showed resilience, growing by five per cent to E3.2 billion.
The bank’s total assets were valued at E3.1 billion in 2025.
According to the abridged financial statements for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, the growth was underpinned by strong deposit mobilisation as customer deposits increased by 18 per cent to E2.3 billion, 
reflecting improved customer confidence and sustained funding diversification efforts.
“Gross loans and advances remained largely flat at E2.1 billion, declining marginally by 0.2 per cent due to loan repayments during the year, backed by improved credit risk management.
However, credit quality weakened, with higher impairments recorded in the agriculture portfolio, affected by climate-related and adverse weather conditions, as well as within the SME and retail segments, impacted by fiscal constraints.
Credit loss ratio increased from 6.3% to 8.6%,” reads part of the abridged financial statements.
The bank operated in a challenging and increasingly competitive environment during the year ended 31 March 2026, characterised by strong but skewed economic growth and structural shifts in the financial services landscape.
“Intensifying competition from new entrants and ongoing disruption from fintech innovations continued to reshape customer behaviour and compress traditional revenue streams,” reads part of the statement.
Against this backdrop the bank recorded a net comprehensive loss of E73.7 million which reflected a 60 per cent year-on-year (YoY) deterioration.
The bank recorded a comprehensive loss of E45.9 million in 2025.
“Performance was materially impacted by subdued account activity, selective growth in loans and advances, continued asset quality pressures and a relatively inflexible cost base,” reads the report in part.
Despite earnings pressures, the Bank remains well capitalised at 13.9 per cent, maintaining a capital adequacy ratio above minimum regulatory of eight per cent.
“This provides resilience against current headwinds and supports ongoing balance sheet stability.
Liquidity position improved, driven by robust deposit growth and prudent liquidity management, positioning the Bank to meet its obligations and support future growth,” the report reads in part.
On the strategic outlook, the bank remains focused in restoring financial performance through strengthening asset quality,
enhancing risk management, continued acceleration of digital transformation efforts and driving sustainable revenue growth.
The report stated that while near-term conditions remain challenging, decisive actions are underway to stabilise operations and position the Bank for recovery and long-term value creation.
The Central Bank of Eswatini is currently providing enhanced support to Eswatini Bank.
In a statement by Central Bank of Eswatini Governor Dr Phil Mnisi, the CBE said the intervention sought to bolster the bank’s operations and enhance service delivery through targeted advisory and capacity building as necessary.
“The Central Bank of Eswatini consistent with its oversight function is providing prompt correction to Eswatini Bank.
This will stabilize the bank and support it as it implements a structured transformation programme aimed at strengthening its balance sheet,
enhancing governance and reinforcing its risk management framework,” read the statement from CBE on March 10, 2026.
