BankCom’s 2025 net profit up 17%

BANK of Commerce’s (BankCom) net profit grew by 17% last year, driven by its core business and trading and foreign exchange gains.

The bank’s net income rose to P3.54 billion in 2025 from P3.02 billion in the prior year, it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday. In the fourth quarter alone, its earnings stood at P794.79 million, down by 2% from P813.08 million in the same period in 2024.

Its full-year performance translated to a return on equity of and return on assets of 10.14% and 1.28%, respectively, both improving from 9.44% and 1.22% the prior year.

“BankCom’s revenue expansion is mainly attributable to steady growth in core revenues as well as income from trading and foreign exchange activities,” the bank said.

Gross revenues amounted to P12.61 billion, up 17% from P10.76 billion in 2024.

Net interest income grew by 18% year on year to P10.78 billion, driven by higher loans and receivables, investment securities, and financial assets at fair value.

Its net interest margin was at 4.35%, which it said came amid faster growth in revenues from earning assets than its interest-bearing liabilities.

BankCom’s other income likewise increased by 11% to P1.83 billion last year from the P1.65 billion in 2024 on strong trading gains and expansion in both transactions and number of foreign exchange clients.

Meanwhile, operating expenses (OPEX), excluding provision for credit and impairment losses, grew by 11% to P7.42 billion last year.

“The increase in OPEX was driven mainly by the bank’s continued investment in human capital and technology, alongside higher business volumes supporting its expanding operations,” BankCom said.

As a result, its cost-to-income ratio stood at 59%, down from 62% in 2024.

The lender also set aside P382.2 million in provisions for credit and impairment losses in 2025.

BankCom’s total loans and receivables stood at P162.82 billion last year, increasing by 19% year on year as it saw growth across all its business segments. Loans now represent 57% of its total assets, it added.

Its gross nonperforming loans (NPL) and net NPL ratios were at 1.33% and 0.62%, respectively.

On the funding side, total deposits rose by 5% year on year to P223.31 billion. Of this, P198.49 billion were current account, savings account or CASA deposits, while P24.83 billion were time deposits.

This resulted in a loan-to-deposit ratio of 75%.

As of end-2025, BankCom’s total assets stood at P286.85 billion, up by 8% year on year.

Total capital stood at P36.58 billion, rising by 10% year on year, supported by its financial performance and the reinvestment of earnings.

Capital adequacy ratio was at 16.48%.

The bank’s shares closed at P9.25 apiece on Wednesday, rising by 25 centavos or 2.78%. — A.M.C. Sy