Foreign currency deposits held in Pakistan rose by nearly $69.4 million in August 2026 from the previous month, driven mainly by a sharp increase in non-resident accounts.
According to the latest data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), total foreign currency deposits reached $6.935 billion in August, up from $6.866 billion in July.
Despite the monthly increase, deposits remained below last year’s level. On a year-on-year basis, the total fell by $69.69 million, or 0.99 percent, from $7.004 billion in August 2025.
The data showed a mixed trend between resident and non-resident deposits.
Foreign currency deposits held by residents rose slightly to $5.865 billion in August from $5.851 billion a month earlier. This marked an increase of $13.79 million, or 0.24 percent.
However, resident deposits were still down significantly from a year earlier. They fell by $242.75 million, or 3.97 percent, compared with $6.108 billion in August 2025.
Non-resident deposits recorded a stronger increase. They climbed to $1.070 billion in August from $1.014 billion in July, adding $55.60 million, or 5.48 percent, in a month.
The yearly picture was also positive for non-resident deposits, which increased by $173.06 million, or 19.30 percent, from $896.48 million in August 2025.
Resident deposits included $2.017 billion in demand deposits, $1.702 billion in savings accounts and $2.146 billion in time deposits.
Non-resident deposits comprised $643.83 million in demand deposits, $217.38 million in savings deposits and $208.33 million in time deposits.
The SBP data also showed how these foreign currency deposits were deployed to support trade and financing needs.
During August, $920.78 million was used for pre-shipment financing, while $157.59 million went towards post-shipment financing. Another $977.26 million was used for import financing.
Banks and the SBP also held $1.373 billion from these deposits. Of this amount, $411.91 million was placed under cash reserve requirements and $698.07 million under special cash reserve requirements.
A further $20.49 million was held with banks in Pakistan, while $242.45 million was placed with banks abroad.
In addition, $431.98 million was maintained as balances abroad and $236.10 million remained as cash in hand.
The figures highlight a modest monthly recovery in foreign currency deposits, although the overall stock remains slightly lower than a year ago.
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