New Delhi, April 20 -- ICICI Bank reported strong loan growth and sharply lower provisions in the March quarter (Q4FY26), just what it needed in a period when operating costs rose faster than income. Loans expanded at their fastest pace in two years, up 15.8% year-on-year to Rs.15.5 trillion. Traction in home loans, rural lending and business banking offset continued moderation in the credit-card portfolio. Deposits were also healthy at about Rs.18 trillion, rising 11% year-on-year.

Profitability was boosted by a steep 90% year-on-year fall in provisions, aided by lower retail slippages and recoveries from written-off corporate loans. The gross annualized slippage ratio fell to 1.11%, down 36 basis points (bps) sequentially and 41 bps ye...