Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.’s (Metrobank) net income rose by 34.1% to PHP20.9 billion in the first semester of 2023 from a year ago supported by the Bank’s asset expansion, higher margins, and healthy fee income growth as it kept its asset quality stable. This translated to a 12.9% return on equity, higher than the 10.0% recorded in the same period last year.
In the second quarter alone, the Bank posted a 37.1% growth in earnings to PHP10.4 billion from the same period last year.
“Our core businesses continued to grow and benefit from our strong balance sheet,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee. “As the economy further expands, we see more market opportunities that will keep our upward momentum and sustain our efforts to better serve our customers,” he added.
The Bank’s net interest income surged by 27.0% to PHP50.6 billion, on the back of a 50-basis point increase in net interest margin to 3.9%. Gross loans climbed by 8.6% year-on-year, driven by a 7.2% rise in commercial loans and 14.1% expansion in consumer loans. Net credit card receivables surged by 28.8% while auto loans grew by 17.5%, sustaining the growth momentum in the consumer segment.
Meanwhile, total deposits grew by 9.3% to PHP2.3 trillion from a year ago, of which low-cost Current and Savings Accounts (CASA) accounted for 62.2%.
Trading and foreign exchange gains stood at PHP3.1 billion, while fee income rose by 10.2% to PHP8.1 billion.
Metrobank’s non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio further eased to 1.8% from 1.9% in the same period last year, reflecting the Bank’s prudence in its lending business. NPL cover is at a high of 184.4% providing a substantial buffer against any risks to the portfolio. Metrobank’s total consolidated assets stood at PHP2.9 trillion, maintaining its status as the country’s second largest private universal bank. Total equity reached PHP329.8 billion.