New Delhi, Oct. 17 -- Punjab National Bank (PNB) expects core retail loan growth to reach 17-18 per cent and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) lending to grow around 21 per cent in the current quarter, with the festive season expected to support credit demand, Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank, told ANI.

The bank also expects agriculture priority-sector lending to maintain its growth momentum after recording 18 per cent growth, as it looks to sustain profitability and improve asset quality in the coming quarters.

"Three areas, retail is doing very well and core retail activity like housing, vacation, mortgage loans, education loan, that is growing at more than 16 percent and I am expecting that this being the festi...