Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) booked a net income of PHP24.8 billion in the first half of the year supported by healthy loan growth, recovering margins, robust trading income, and improving cost efficiency. Pre-provision operating profit in 1H 2025 rose 16.3% year-on-year to PHP39.1 billion.
“Our first half performance reflects the continuing strength of our core businesses. As we enter the second half of the year, we remain focused on building on our fundamentals and implementing prudent strategies, which will allow us to continue helping our clients grow further as well as achieve our medium-term goals,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee.
Net interest income reached PHP60.0 billion in the first half of the year, supported by sustained growth across business segments and a sequential rebound in net interest margin.
Gross loans grew by 13.2% year-on-year on healthy performance across portfolios. Institutional loans grew by 12.7% on the back of sustained rise in corporate capital expenditures. Consumer loans went up by 15.3%, led by gross credit card receivables and auto loans, which climbed by 18.2% and 17.8% year-on-year, respectively.
Meanwhile, total deposits amounted to PHP2.3 trillion, of which PHP1.5 trillion are low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA).
Non-interest income jumped 46.2% to PHP17.6 billion during the first half. Fee income reached PHP8.6 billion supported by the expanding consumer business. Combined trading and foreign exchange gains surged to PHP5.4 billion, driven by strong customer flows and implementation of optimization strategies in our investment portfolio.
Meanwhile, operating costs grew at a moderate pace of 5.9% year-on-year. As a result, cost to income ratio eased to 50.0% from 52.3% in first half 2024.
Asset quality likewise improved with non-performing loans (NPL) ratio easing back to 1.5% of total loans from 1.7% in the same period last year, which is still much lower than the industry’s reported 3.5% NPL ratio as of May 2025. The Bank booked PHP5.8 billion in provisions during the semester, keeping NPL cover high at 153.9%, still a strong buffer against any emerging risks.
Total consolidated assets expanded by 6.0% to PHP3.5 trillion, allowing the Bank to maintain its position as the second largest bank in asset terms among the private universal banks. Total equity stood at PHP390.7 billion.
Metrobank’s balance sheet remains strong with Capital Adequacy Ratio at 16.3% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 15.6%, all well above the minimum regulatory requirements.
Its solid performance has been recognized by Asian Banker, awarding Metrobank as the Best Managed Bank in the Philippines. The publication noted the Bank’s strong capital base, which will support sustainable asset growth and steady Return on Equity improvement, guided by forward looking capital planning. Metrobank was also named by Euromoney as the Philippines’ Best Bank for Large Corporates and the Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility. It was also recognized by the Philippine Dealing System (PDS) Group for its strong performance and contribution to the Philippine capital markets in 2024, winning the Cesar E.A. Virata Award – Best Securities House for the 10th year. Metrobank was also named as the Top Corporate Securities Market Maker and the Top Fixed-Income Dealing Participant, among others.
