New Delhi, April 18 -- Mumbai: The two largest private sector banks-HDFC and ICICI-will kick-start the Q4 and FY25 earnings season for the banking sector, and their results will be declared on Saturday. While the last quarter of a financial year is typically one of accelerated growth for lenders and financial institutions, this time around, the business trends are seen softer on the back of slower growth in loans and deposits, pressure on margins and pockets of asset quality stress.

Minttakes a look at the key points to watch out for in the banks' earnings on 19 April:

Loan growth slows

Growth in advances for both banks is expected to be softer in Q4 FY25, with Motilal Oswal Securities peggingHDFC Bank's loan growth for FY25 at around ...