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SBI reclaims India's #2 bank spot, overtakes ICICI after six years

State Bank of India's market cap has surpassed ICICI Bank for the first time since 2019, signalling a potential shift in India's banking hierarchy as PSU lenders gain traction.

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Finsamudra Desk

28 Jan 2026, 11:39 am IST · 1 min read

₹9.60 trillionSBI Market Cap₹9.57 trillionICICI Bank Market Cap13-14%SBI loan growth guidance FY26
🏦 SBI Just Reclaimed India’s #2 Bank Spot After 6 Years!
Image: Finsamudra LinkedIn archive

State Bank of India has overtaken ICICI Bank in market capitalization, reclaiming the #2 position in India's banking landscape. SBI's market cap now stands at ₹9.60 trillion, edging out ICICI Bank's ₹9.57 trillion. HDFC Bank continues to lead the pack with ₹14.16 trillion.

The shift reflects divergent momentum in January: SBI rallied 6% while HDFC and ICICI declined 7.2% and 0.3% respectively. This performance gap marks a notable reversal after years of ICICI's dominance in investor preference.

SBI's resurgence is anchored in its strategic focus on retail, agriculture, and MSME lending. The bank is guiding for 13-14% loan growth in FY26, positioning itself as a growth play in India's credit distribution cycle.

For DSAs and loan distribution partners, SBI's renewed investor confidence could translate into stronger capital availability and appetite for retail credit expansion. A PSU lender gaining ground signals policy tailwinds and structural support for mass-market lending.

Sources

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