China Banking Corp. (China Bank) grew its nine-month net income by 12 percent to P22.6 billion in 2026, as stronger lending activity and wider interest margins boosted core banking revenues while asset quality remained stable.
The fourth-largest private universal bank in the Philippines posted a return on equity of 15.6 percent and return on assets of 1.6 percent for the January-to-September period.
Net interest income climbed 14 percent to P60.7 billion, supported by a net interest margin of 4.73 percent, reflecting sustained growth in the bank’s core lending and deposit-taking businesses.
China Bank maintained a non-performing loan ratio of 1.5 percent, while setting aside P1.9 billion for impairment and credit losses. Its NPL coverage stood at 102 percent, providing a buffer against potential deterioration in loan quality.
Operating expenses, meanwhile, increased 13 percent to P28.6 billion as the bank invested in digital transformation and business expansion. Cost discipline kept its cost-to-income ratio at 49 percent.
The bank’s consolidated assets expanded 12 percent year-on-year to P1.9 trillion as of September, driven largely by a 19 percent increase in net loans to P1.2 trillion.
On the funding side, deposits grew 9 percent to P1.5 trillion, while low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA) rose 19 percent to P751 billion. The expansion lifted the CASA ratio to 49 percent, strengthening the bank’s deposit funding base.
Total equity increased 6 percent to P195 billion, while book value per share also climbed 6 percent to P72.52.
China Bank’s capital position remained healthy, with a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 14.65 percent and total capital adequacy ratio of 15.53 percent, providing capacity to support further lending and absorb potential market volatility.
