The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has delivered a “solid” half-year performance, having recorded a 43 per cent increase in profit after tax compared to the corresponding period last year.
In his Half Year 2026 Financial Report, GBTI Chairman Suresh Beharry stated that this result during the first six months of this year is marked by resilient earnings, prudent balance sheet management, and sound capital adequacy.
Apart from the growth in after-tax profits, the bank’s earnings per share (EPS) also rose by 44 per cent, reflecting the continued effectiveness of GBTI’s strategic priorities and the resilience of its operating model.
Moreover, Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) stood at 18.3 per cent during this period, underlining the commercial bank’s focus on efficient capital deployment and sustainable returns.
The GBTI Chairman further reported that strong client engagement continued to be a growth driver, with total deposits increasing to $286 billion – up 13 per cent compared to the prior year.
“This performance underscores the continued confidence our clients place in GBTI and affirms the strength of our client-centric offerings and relationship-focused banking model,” he stated.
Looking ahead, Beharry said the bank remains optimistic about the outlook for the business.
“Our priorities include sustaining profitable growth, advancing our digital capabilities, deepening client relationships, and maintaining the financial discipline that underpins our performance. I look forward to collaborating with our teams and stakeholders as we continue to evolve GBTI into a more agile, innovative institution, well-positioned for the future,” the chairman posited.
This solid performance for the first six months of this year comes on the heels of GBTI recording another strong financial year in 2025 with $4.5 billion in profit after tax – an increase from the $4 billion in the previous year.
This result was driven by robust loan portfolio growth of 17 per cent and a further 29 per cent increase in customer deposits throughout the year. With a capital adequacy ratio of 16.42 per cent in 2025, the bank continued to demonstrate solid financial resilience, prudent risk management, and operational strength.
Last year also saw significant progress in GBTI’s digital transformation agenda. The bank launched digital account opening and retail loan onboarding, which further streamlined the customer experience.
In 2025, GBTI also expanded its ATM and POS networks, improving access to banking services across Guyana. “As Guyana’s economy thrives, fuelled by the oil & gas sector and non-oil growth, GBTI maintained its focus on SME financing, cybersecurity, and governance, positioning itself as a trusted partner for businesses and communities,” the Chairman had noted in the 2025 financial report.
He went on to add that beyond numbers, GBTI continues to champion nation-building as it strives not just to shape the future of banking but to redefine it.
This ambition is reflected in the number of new offerings introduced by the commercial bank.
Only in May, GBTI introduced a new mortgage rate structure, starting as low as three per cent.
The bank explained that the new rates are designed to make homeownership more affordable for Guyanese families, whether they are buying their first home, building a home, or refinancing an existing mortgage.
The new rates apply to every loan size, from low-income housing and young professional housing to high-value properties. This move aligns with the Guyanese government’s aggressive housing drive to promote homeownership among Guyanese.
In fact, GBTI has participated in the Government’s low-income housing loan scheme, offering rates of three per cent per annum for loans up to $4 million; 3.7 per cent for loans between $4 million and $9 million; 4.25 per cent for loans between $9 million and $20 million; 4.75 per cent for loans between $20 million and $40 million; 4.99 per cent for loans between $40 million and $60 million; and between 5.25 and 6.5 per cent per annum for loans of $60 million and above.
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