The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) has updated its “Bank Activity Index” following the results of the first three months of 2026. The study covered 34 commercial banks and revealed a significant 36.3% increase in the sector’s net profit, reaching 3.1 trillion soums ($254 million).

Despite the stability of leading banks, the ranking saw notable shifts due to intensified competition for customers.

Key sector indicators

The banking system demonstrates resilience: assets grew to 932.3 trillion soums, while deposits increased by 32%. A positive signal was the reduction in the share of non-performing loans (NPLs) to 3.3% (down from 4.5% last year), indicating improved loan quality.

Performance of major banks

Among the 20 largest financial institutions, most experienced changes:

• Breakthrough of the quarter: Tenge Bank jumped 6 positions. Growth was also recorded by Agrobank, Invest Finance Bank, and Halk Bank.

• Declining activity: Orient Finance Bank dropped 5 positions, while Trust Bank fell by 3.

• Quality leaders: Hamkorbank and Asia Alliance Bank maintain leadership in asset quality and profitability.

Small banks: stability and new players

Among smaller banks, TBS Bank remains the leader. AVO Bank and Apex Bank showed notable growth (+3 positions each). Meanwhile, Octobank recorded the sharpest decline, losing 6 positions.

The updated ranking serves as a transparency tool. Growth in deposits and a decline in non-performing loans make the system more reliable for savings. However, the drop in some large banks’ positions in “liquidity” and “accessibility” indicators may signal temporary difficulties in accessing services at those institutions.

ORIENT