ASIA United Bank (AUB) on Thursday reported a net income of P9.4 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 0.3 percent year on year, as higher lending income and lower interest expenses supported earnings despite weaker trading results.
The bank said net interest income from January to September rose 14.5 percent to P15.5 billion as gross loans expanded and interest expenses declined 10.2 percent. Net interest margin widened to 5.1 percent.
Fee-based income also increased 14.5 percent to P1.5 billion, supported by consumer services and digital platforms, including HelloMoney, AUB PayMate and credit cards.
However, total other operating income fell to P2.5 billion, reflecting a net loss of P11.8 million in trading and securities activities, compared with gains of P1.37 billion a year earlier.
Operating expenses increased 7.2 percent to P6.1 billion, while the bank's cost-to-income ratio stood at 33.1 percent.
AUB's return on equity reached 18 percent, while return on assets stood at 2.9 percent during the period.
The bank's total assets grew 3.9 percent year on year to P433.4 billion as gross loans expanded 13.8 percent to P292.3 billion, reflecting brisk demand from corporate and consumer borrowers.
Asset quality remained stable, with the bank’s nonperforming loan ratio at 0.56 percent and the NPL coverage ratio at 95 percent.
Total deposit liabilities rose 2.5 percent to P344.7 billion, with current and savings accounts accounting for 76 percent of deposits.
AUB's total equity increased 11.6 percent to P73.3 billion. Its capital adequacy ratio stood at 19.12 percent, while its common equity Tier 1 ratio reached 18.29 percent, both above regulatory thresholds set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
“With a record P9.4-billion net income and recent stockholder approval to quintuple our capital base to P72.5 billion, AUB enters the coming year from a position of profound strength,” AUB President Manuel Gomez said.
He said the bank remained watchful of market headwinds and inflationary pressures, adding that the planned capital increase would strengthen its capacity to sustain profitability and support clients across economic cycles.
On Thursday, the bank’s shares added P0.35, or 0.81 percent, to close at P43.60 each.
