Mumbai, Jan. 16 -- India's two largest private-sector lenders, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, are expected to post a steady performance for the December quarter, supported by firm loan growth, improving margins and controlled operating costs, five brokerages said ahead of results on Saturday.

However, seasonal marginal pressures on asset quality, particularly agriculture-linked products, may lead to a moderate rise in slippages.

Besides the two major banks, RBL Bank, Yes Bank, IDBI Bank, UCO Bank, and Punjab and Sind Bank will announce their Q3 earnings on Saturday.

HDFC Bank is expected to report a 10% year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs.18,366 crore, according to 20 analysts polled by Bloomberg. This is based on better momentum expected...