CHINA Banking Corp. (Chinabank) on Thursday reported an 11-percent increase in net income for the first half of 2026 to P14.5 billion from P13.0 billion a year earlier, driven by continued loan growth, higher interest income and healthy asset quality.
The listed bank said return on equity remained at 15.1 percent while return on assets stood at 1.6 percent, which it noted was among the highest in the banking industry.
“Our strong first-half performance reflects the sustained strength of our core banking business and disciplined execution of our growth strategy,” Chinabank President and CEO Romeo Uyan Jr. said.
“We continue to expand our lending business, maintain sound asset quality and invest in digital capabilities that enhance customer experience while delivering long-term value to our stakeholders,” he added.
Net interest income rose 14 percent to P39.7 billion from P34.9 billion, with net interest margin improving to 4.67 percent from 4.57 percent.
Operating expenses increased 11 percent to P18.4 billion from P16.6 billion as the bank continued to invest in business expansion. Despite the higher spending, its cost-to-income ratio settled at 50 percent.
Chinabank booked P1.2 billion in impairment and credit loss provisions during the period. Its nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio improved to 1.5 percent from 1.7 percent while NPL coverage stood at 106 percent.
Total assets grew 13 percent to P1.9 trillion from P1.68 trillion, keeping Chinabank the country’s fourth-largest private universal bank by assets.
Gross loans expanded 17 percent to P1.1 trillion from P940 billion, supported by sustained demand from both corporate and consumer borrowers.
Deposits increased 14 percent to P1.5 trillion from roughly P1.32 trillion, driven by a 20-percent rise in low-cost checking and savings account (CASA) deposits to P750 billion from about P625 billion. The CASA ratio improved to 49 percent, helping lower the bank’s funding costs.
Total equity climbed 11 percent to P192 billion from about P173 billion, lifting book value per share to P71.46 from P64.38.
Capital adequacy ratio stood at 15.6 percent while common equity tier 1 ratio was 14.7 percent.
The bank also continued to expand its digital banking services through the rollout of its next-generation corporate banking platform, My CBC Business, and enhancements to its My CBC retail app and web platform.
The bank’s shares on Thursday rose P1.50, or 2.86 percent, to P54.00 each amid a 0.13-percent drop for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.
