The State Bank of Pakistan ended the mandatory minimum profit rate for savings accounts with balances of 1 crore rupees or more. The central bank also launched the InvestPak digital platform to let big and small investors buy government securities directly without relying on commercial banks.
The State Bank of Pakistan issued a new circular that changes profit rules on large deposits and introduces a direct digital investment system. It will be effective from August 1, 2026.
According to the central bank, these rules modify older policy instructions regarding guaranteed saving returns. Market experts stated that these decisions will reduce operational costs for commercial banks and increase overall bank profitability.
Big Depositors Lose Profit Guarantee
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial banks no longer have to pay a guaranteed minimum profit rate on savings accounts that hold average monthly balances of 1 crore rupees or more. The mandatory minimum profit rate will now only protect individual accounts with balances less than 1 crore rupees.
Banking experts stated that this rule change disadvantages large depositors. Financial analysts predict that wealthy investors will shift their funds out of low yield bank accounts and move them into the stock market or other profitable assets.
InvestPak Opens Direct Government Lending
The central bank launched the InvestPak web portal and mobile application to help corporate and retail investors buy government debt easily. According to the circular, investors can now bypass commercial banks entirely to place competitive and non-competitive bids for government securities digitally.
Financial experts stated that lending directly to the government through this secure system will provide highly attractive returns for citizens and institutions. The State Bank of Pakistan explained that the application includes financial tools to calculate yields and investment margins before placing orders.
According to the authority, the twin measures aim to diversify the investor base for state securities while ensuring fair market competition.
