Chinabank sustained its momentum from strong core business growth, posting P6.5 billion in net income in the first quarter of 2025, up 10 percent from the same period last year.
The robust performance translated to a return on equity of 15.1 percent and a return on assets of 1.6 percent, still among the highest in the industry.
“Our first quarter results reflect the fruits of the concerted efforts across all our different businesses to drive organic growth and support our customers,” Chinabank President & Chief Executive Officer Romeo D. Uyan Jr. said.
Net interest income jumped by 14 percent to P17.1 billion, driven by higher asset yields and loan volume which offset increased interest expenses.
Net interest margin remained at a healthy 4.5 percent. Total revenues reached P16.3 billion, up 8 percent year-on-year.
Operating expenses went up by 17 percent to P8.4 billion driven by continued investments to boost its digital, infrastructure, and talent capabilities.
Total assets increased by 10 percent to P1.7 trillion, cementing Chinabank’s position as the 4th largest private universal bank in the Philippines.
Gross loans hit P954 billion, up 19 percent on brisk lending to businesses and consumers. The bank maintained its strong asset quality, recording a better-than-industry non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.5 percent. Consequently, the bank reduced its credit provision by 6 percent to P285 million. NPL coverage remained adequate at 112 percent from the previous quarter’s 108 percent, in line with the updated BSP guidelines that exclude provisions appropriated to Retained Earnings. Under the previous reporting guidelines, NPL coverage would have been higher at 143 percent from the previous quarter’s 139 percent.
