To start with, Demerara Bank has achieved remarkable success, mainly thanks to the strong management and visionary leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Komal Samaroo, and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dowlat Parbhu. Their guidance and strategic direction have led the bank to deliver a truly historic performance, marking a new milestone in its journey of growth and excellence. The management has also fostered great confidence among its customers and the wider business community, strengthening trust in the bank’s stability and long-term vision.
Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) has reached a historic milestone in Guyana’s financial sector, reporting a record after-tax profit of $8.41 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. This impressive achievement reflects a 50.5% increase over the previous year and an extraordinary 184.7% growth over the past five years — the highest profit ever recorded in Guyana’s commercial banking history.
Building on its solid 2024 performance, when profits increased by 37% to $5.59 billion, DBL continues to showcase the strength of its strategic vision and the effects of economic growth and digital innovation. As Guyana’s only indigenous commercial bank, this achievement solidifies DBL’s position as the most profitable financial institution in the country for 2025.
According to the Bank, its Return on Assets reached 3.8%, while Return on Equity rose to 24.2%, significantly exceeding industry averages. Deposits increased by 19.5%, reaching $208 billion, while the total loan portfolio expanded by $31 billion over the same period.
Data from the Bank of Guyana’s Statistical Abstract (September 2025) show that total commercial lending across the system was approximately $510 billion, reflecting an annual growth rate of 13.8%. In comparison, DBL’s loan portfolio grew by 32%, more than double the national average, reaching $126 billion by year-end. This means nearly half of all new lending in Guyana during the past year came from Demerara Bank alone — highlighting its crucial role in supporting national development and economic growth.
The Bank’s report highlighted, “Without DBL’s contribution, overall banking sector lending would have grown by only seven percent.”
DBL attributes its remarkable growth to prudent management, disciplined lending practices, and an influx of Tier-One corporate clients who have switched to DBL because of its exceptional service, reliability, and advanced digital solutions. The bank’s diverse lending portfolio, which encompasses agriculture, housing, automobile finance, and credit cards, demonstrates a balanced approach that fosters both corporate and retail growth while maintaining asset quality.
By incorporating automation, analytics, and real-time digital monitoring into its operations, Demerara Bank has achieved faster decision-making while upholding strong credit discipline. Notably, DBL reported zero Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) for the fourth consecutive year, a record unmatched in Guyana’s banking industry.
“In just 30 years, Demerara Bank has achieved what no other bank in Guyana has: record profitability, zero NPLs, and the strongest growth in national banking history,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dowlat Parbhu.
DBL’s exceptional results also stem from operational efficiency. With a cost-to-income ratio of only 28%, significantly lower than the industry average of about 45%, the bank remains the most efficient financial institution in the country. According to DBL, this success isn’t just due to cost-cutting but also to strong income growth driven by its digital transformation and tech-focused business model.
Through digital integration and process automation, the bank has boosted productivity and expanded service delivery across all areas, maintaining a strong balance between growth, innovation, and quality.
In 2025, DBL also made several significant digital upgrades, further improving customer experience and operational efficiency. Building on these advancements, the bank plans to launch a new mobile banking platform that offers seamless, technology-driven banking experience.
“Our digital-first model boosts customer trust while achieving operational excellence,” stated Chairman Komal Samaroo. “It’s the perfect balance between innovation and prudence.”
Demerara Bank Limited exemplifies stability and success through its consistent record of innovation, profitability, and responsible governance. It promotes Guyana’s financial growth and sets new standards for excellence in modern banking.