Fee income rescues banks

Top 10 lenders earn nearly one-fifth of incomes from fees

- MAHESH NAYAK

BANKS ARE PUSHING cross-selling to boost fee-based income amid profitability and margin pressures due to lower credit offtake, sluggish corporate capex and slowing CASA deposit growth. Leveraging digital capabilities, they are driving growth through fee income, a trend that has gained momentum since the pandemic.

Dominated by private banks, top 10 lenders experienced a 13% increase in fee income for FY25, compared to a 7% rise in net interest income. Fee income was nearly one-fifth (18%) of their total income.