MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported a net income of PHP24.9 billion for the first half of 2026, demonstrating resilience amid a challenging operating environment as steady loan growth, stable margins, and disciplined risk management continued to underpin the bank’s financial performance.
Metrobank President Fabian Dee said the bank remained focused on sustainable growth despite economic uncertainties affecting the banking industry.
“The operating environment remained challenging in the first half, requiring us to stay disciplined and focused. Our results reflect the strength of Metrobank’s core businesses, the continued trust of our clients, and our prudent approach to balancing growth and risk. We will continue to support our clients while pursuing sustainable growth in an uncertain environment,” Dee said.
During the six-month period, the bank’s net interest income increased by 12.8% to PHP67.7 billion, while its net interest margin remained stable at 3.7%, supported by continued expansion in its lending portfolio.
Metrobank’s gross loans grew by 12.4% year-on-year, driven by strong demand from both corporate and consumer segments. Corporate and commercial loans climbed 12.8%, reflecting increased investments and higher working capital requirements among businesses, while consumer loans expanded 11.1%, fueled by sustained growth in credit card and mortgage lending.
The bank also strengthened its funding base, with total deposits rising 10.4% to PHP2.6 trillion. Low-cost Current and Savings Accounts (CASA) increased 6.4%, accounting for 60.5% of total deposits. Metrobank’s loan-to-deposit ratio improved to 81.1%, providing sufficient liquidity to support continued lending activities.
Meanwhile, fee and trust income grew 9.3% to PHP10 billion, helping offset the effects of volatile financial markets on trading income.
Operating expenses increased 10.1% to PHP42.4 billion, primarily due to higher transaction-related taxes and continued investments in digital technologies aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio stood at 52.4%.
Metrobank maintained a strong asset quality profile, posting a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.8%, significantly lower than the banking industry’s 3.4%. As part of its prudent risk management strategy, the bank increased loan loss provisions by 26.8%, resulting in an NPL coverage ratio of 133.3%, providing a strong buffer against potential asset quality pressures. Restructured loans also remained minimal at 0.3% of total loans, compared with the industry’s 2.0%.
The bank’s total consolidated assets expanded 12.7% year-on-year to PHP3.9 trillion, reinforcing its position as the country’s second-largest private universal bank by assets. Total equity reached PHP409.7 billion, up 4.9% from the previous year.
Metrobank also maintained capital levels well above regulatory requirements, with its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 14.9%, Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 14.2%, and Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) at 150.1%, underscoring the bank’s strong financial position and capacity to support future growth.