Private sector lender Axis Bank on Friday reported its standalone financial results for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2026, showing a net profit that remained largely unchanged from the previous year. The bank posted a net profit of ₹7,071.31 crore, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to ₹7,117.50 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal year.
Dividend Recommendation and Operational Performance
Despite the subdued bottom-line growth, Axis Bank's board has recommended a final dividend of ₹1 per equity share for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. This recommendation, based on a face value of ₹2 per share, is subject to approval from shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting.
Operationally, the bank demonstrated robust growth in its Net Interest Income (NII), which increased by 5% year-on-year to reach ₹14,457 crore during the March quarter. The Net Interest Margin (NIM) for Q4 FY26 stood at 3.62%. The total income for the quarter also saw an uptick, rising to ₹38,746.64 crore from ₹38,022.03 crore in the same period last year.
Improved Asset Quality and Strategic Provisioning
Axis Bank continued to improve its asset quality, with the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio declining to 1.23% as of March 31, 2026. This represents a 17 basis points quarter-on-quarter reduction and a 5 basis points improvement year-on-year. Similarly, the Net NPA ratio also saw an improvement, standing at 0.37%, down 5 basis points sequentially.
The bank also disclosed that it proactively strengthened its balance sheet by enhancing its provisioning framework for standard assets. This resulted in an additional one-time provision of ₹2,001 crore during the quarter. Axis Bank clarified that this action was prudent and precautionary, not indicative of any deterioration in asset quality or adverse credit trends.
Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO of Axis Bank, commented on the results, stating, "As banking becomes increasingly digital - trust, security and relevance remain foundational. This quarter's initiatives reflect on our intent to empower customers, invest in partner ecosystems, and strengthen talent and inclusion as enduring growth enablers."