Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) of the Ty family reported a net income of P12.3 billion, slightly up on the back of robust loan expansion, higher trading and fee-based income, and disciplined cost management.
The lender’s pre-provision operating profit climbed 8.8% year-on-year to P18.8 billion.
“Our first-quarter performance keeps us on track in achieving our medium-term growth strategies even as global uncertainties continue to persist,” Metrobank president Fabian Dee said in a statement. “Our strong capitalization and healthy portfolio give us and our clients the assurance on our ability to navigate the changing economic landscape.”
Net interest income rose to P29.4 billion, powered by a 16.1% expansion in the bank’s loan book. Commercial lending led the increase, also growing 16.1% amid higher corporate capex activity. Consumer loans climbed 16%, supported by auto and credit card segments, which grew 21.4% and 17.9%, respectively.
Total deposits stood at P2.2 trillion, with 64.4% comprising low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA), reinforcing Metrobank’s funding stability.
Non-interest income surged 31.9% to P8.7 billion. Fee-based earnings went up 10.5% to P4.3 billion, while gains from trading and foreign exchange activities nearly quadrupled to PHP2.6 billion.
Cost growth remained contained at 7%, yielding a cost-to-income ratio of 50.8%.
Metrobank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio was 1.6%, far below the banking industry’s 3.5% average as of February. Provisioning totaled P2.6 billion, maintaining a high NPL coverage ratio of 150.9%.
Total assets rose 9.1% to P3.5 trillion, cementing Metrobank’s position as the second-largest private universal bank in the Philippines. The bank’s equity reached P377.2 billion, with a capital adequacy ratio of 15.4% and a common equity tier 1 ratio of 14.7%, both well above regulatory requirements.
