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FNBB braces for P221m loan defaults

Seeing changes: FNBB is warning of tightening trading conditions
Seeing changes: FNBB is warning of tightening trading conditions

The country’s largest commercial bank, First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), with P21.6 billion in loans and advances, has set aside P221 million from its half-year profits as it braces for potential loan defaults, with households and businesses facing the strain of tightening economic conditions.

The impairment provision marks a stark increase from the provision of P8 million for the half year in 2024, highlighting the bank’s rising concern over credit risk in the current economic cycle, as well as the ability of customers to service loans and repay debts on time.

In its half-year results for the period ending December 2025, FNBB grew its loan book to close to P22 billion with pretax profits reaching P1 billion. Despite these strong financial results, the bank revealed its concern over prevailing macroeconomic conditions that could add strain to financial results going into the full financial year.

Editor's Comment
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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