Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., the country’s sixth-largest lender by assets, opened 2026 with stronger earnings, posting an unaudited net profit of P2.7 billion for the first quarter, up 12 percent from a year earlier, as loan growth and lower funding costs lifted core income.
Net interest income surged 25 percent to P15.4 billion, reflecting both expanding loan volumes and improved funding efficiency. Total gross revenues rose 16 percent to P17.0 billion, underscoring the bank’s continued reliance on lending as its primary growth engine.
Consumer lending increased 27 percent, outpacing broader industry trends despite a more challenging economic backdrop. Auto loans jumped 39 percent, credit card receivables rose 28 percent, and housing loans expanded 17 percent, supported by the bank’s targeted, data-driven approach to acquiring higher-quality borrowers.
On the funding side, total deposits increased 9 percent to P1.0 trillion, with the bank maintaining a 50 percent current and savings account ratio. Digital platforms such as Diskartech and Pulz continued to support low-cost deposit growth. Deposit costs fell 29 percent year on year, helping widen margins.
Net interest margin improved to 5.2 percent, benefiting from the shift toward higher-yield consumer loans and cheaper funding. Core business growth was further supported by a 9 percent increase in service fees and commissions to P2.8 billion.
“Our focus has always been on building resilient platforms that scale responsibly, support growth, and deliver consistent value to our customers,” said RCBC president and chief executive officer Reggie Cariaso.
RCBC’s results point to a strategy that balances expansion with cost discipline, positioning the bank to sustain earnings momentum even as interest rates and market conditions remain in flux.
