METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) posted a net income of P12.6 billion in the first quarter, higher than a year earlier, as lending expansion, wider margins and stronger fee-based income lifted its top line.
In a disclosure on Tuesday, the bank said net interest income jumped 13.6 percent to P33.4 billion while net interest margin improved to 3.7 percent, up 12 basis points from the same period last year.
“Our first-quarter results underscore the resilience of Metrobank’s core businesses and the consistency of our execution,” Metrobank President Fabian Dee said.
“With strong capitalization, solid asset quality and healthy buffers, we remain well-positioned to manage risks while continuing to support the growth and funding needs of our customers,” Dee added.
Gross loans grew 9.2 percent year on year, driven by sustained expansion across key segments.
Corporate and commercial loans rose 8.6 percent while consumer lending grew by a faster 11.2 percent, which the bank said reflected continued strong demand.
Deposits also increased to P2.6 trillion, with low-cost current and savings accounts deposits rising 8.4 percent and making up 59.2 percent of the total.
The bank’s loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 76.6 percent, indicating sufficient capacity to fund further credit growth.
Fee and trust income climbed 11.8 percent to P5.1 billion, helping cushion the impact of market volatility on trading revenues.
Operating expenses went up 9.8 percent to P21.1 billion, mainly due to higher transaction-related taxes and continued investments in technology, bringing the cost-to-income ratio to 52.5 percent.
Asset quality remained sound, with the nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio steady at 1.75 percent, well below the industry average of 3.44 percent as of February 2026. NPL coverage stood at 137.1 percent, providing a strong buffer against potential risks.
Total assets expanded 8.3 percent to P3.8 trillion, while equity rose 5.1 percent to P396.4 billion.
The bank maintained robust capital and liquidity levels, with a capital adequacy ratio of 14.9 percent and common equity tier 1 ratio of 14.2 percent, both above regulatory minimum levels, while liquidity coverage ratio stood at 151.1 percent.
Metrobank shares on Tuesday went down P2.10, or 3.17 percent, to close at P64.20 each amid a 0.74-percent drop for the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index.
