United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB) is raising Tk 775 crore 18 lakh 79 thousand 490 through a rights share issue to strengthen its capital base. The subscription for the rights shares, which began on August 23, is scheduled to close today, Sunday (September 20), according to Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) sources.

Under the rights issue, UCB is offering one rights share against every two existing shares. The bank will issue a total of 77 crore 51 lakh 87 thousand 949 shares, each with a face value of Tk 10.

The proceeds from the issue will be used to strengthen the bank’s capital base. UCB has already received approval for the rights issue from the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Bangladesh Bank. The record date for the rights issue was August 4.

Meanwhile, UCB’s latest credit rating has been assigned at ‘AA-’ for the long term and ‘ST-2’ for the short term by Emerging Credit Rating Limited (ECRL), based on the bank’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, and other relevant information available up to the rating announcement date.

According to the bank’s financial statements, UCB’s consolidated earnings per share (EPS) stood at Tk 0.22 in the first six months of 2026, from Tk 0.12 in the same period a year earlier. Its consolidated net asset value per share (NAVPS) stood at Tk 25.84 as of June 30, 2026.

For the 2025 financial year, UCB’s board did not recommend any dividend for shareholders. The bank reported an EPS of Tk 0.15 for the year, up from Tk 0.05 in the previous year, while its NAVPS stood at Tk 25.71 as of December 31, 2025.

UCB also did not pay any dividend for the 2024 financial year. Its EPS was Tk 0.05 that year, compared with a restated Tk 1.45 in the previous year. The bank’s NAVPS stood at Tk 26.42 at the end of 2024.

For the 2023 financial year, the bank declared a total 10 percent dividend, comprising 5 percent cash and 5 percent stock dividends. Its EPS was Tk 1.52 and NAVPS Tk 28.81 that year.

In 2022, UCB also paid a total 10 percent dividend, including 5 percent cash and 5 percent stock dividends. Its EPS stood at Tk 2.35 and NAVPS at Tk 28.57.

The bank also paid a 10 percent stock dividend in 2021, a 5 percent cash and 5 percent stock dividend in 2020, and a total 10 percent dividend in 2019.

Listed on the stock market in 1986, UCB has an authorised capital of Tk 2,500 crore and paid-up capital of Tk 2,325 crore 56 lakh 40 thousand. The bank’s reserves stand at Tk 2,290 crore 39 lakh, while its total number of shares is 232 crore 55 lakh 63 thousand 847.

In terms of shareholding, sponsors and directors hold 10.27 percent of the bank’s shares, while the government holds 0.81 percent. Institutional investors own 37.43 percent, foreign investors 0.46 percent, and general investors hold the remaining 52.03 percent.

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