CHINA Banking Corp. (Chinabank) recorded a 12-percent increase in consolidated net income to P22.6 billion in the first nine months of 2026 from P20.2 billion a year earlier, supported by stronger lending activity and higher interest income.
The bank on Thursday said net interest income rose 13.5 percent to P60.7 billion from P53.5 billion in the same period last year, while net interest margin improved to 4.73 percent from 4.6 percent.
Net loans expanded by 19 percent to P1.2 trillion as of end-September, contributing to a 12-percent increase in total assets to P1.9 trillion from P1.7 trillion previously.
Return on equity stood at 15.6 percent, up from 15.3 percent, while return on assets was steady at 1.6 percent, with the bank noting that both indicators remained among the highest in the industry.
The bank’s nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio improved to 1.5 percent from 1.6 percent a year earlier, but NPL coverage declined to 102 percent from 123 percent. Chinabank said it set aside P1.9 billion for impairment and credit losses during the nine-month period.
Operating expenses increased 13 percent to P28.6 billion from P25.3 billion, reflecting investments in digital transformation and business expansion. Cost-to-income ratio was at 49 percent compared with 45 percent a year earlier.
On the funding side, total deposits grew 9 percent to P1.5 trillion from P1.4 trillion, while low-cost current and savings accounts increased 19 percent to P751 billion, accounting for nearly half or 49 percent of total deposits.
Total equity rose 6 percent to P195 billion, while book value per share likewise increased by 6 percent to P72.52 from P68.49.
The bank’s common equity Tier 1 ratio stood at 14.65 percent while its total capital adequacy ratio was at 15.53 percent.
Chinabank also received several industry recognitions, including a Five-Golden Arrow award from the Institute of Corporate Directors for the fourth time. It also won Industry Champion of the Year and Inspiring Workplace in Asia at the 2026 Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability Awards.
The bank’s shares on Thursday slipped P0.45, or 0.94 percent, to close at P47.20 each.
