The Ng family-backed Asia United Bank posted another record quarterly profit to start 2026 as stronger margins, tighter cost controls and steady loan growth helped offset rising global economic uncertainty.
The listed lender booked a historic-high net income of P3.2 billion in the first quarter, while return on equity stood at 19.3 percent and return on assets reached 3.2 percent.
“Our robust internal controls and investment strategies are built to withstand extreme external shocks while delivering world-class service,” AUB president Manuel A. Gomez said as the bank cited resilience amid a “permacrisis” environment marked by global volatility and the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Margins, capital improve
AUB’s net interest margin widened to 5.3 percent from 5.1 percent a year earlier as the bank benefited from stronger asset-liability management and a low-cost funding base.
Loans and receivables rose 9.4 percent to P276.2 billion, while deposits climbed 8.9 percent to P335.5 billion, with the bank’s CASA ratio improving sharply to 78 percent from 69 percent last year.
The bank also strengthened its balance sheet, with its capital adequacy ratio improving to 19.3 percent and common equity tier 1 ratio rising to 18.7 percent, well above regulatory minimums.
Efficiency gains
Operational efficiency improved further as AUB’s cost-to-income ratio narrowed to 30.4 percent from 32.6 percent despite higher credit provisions during the quarter.
The bank maintained one of the industry’s lowest bad loan ratios at 0.44 percent while continuing to earn international recognition from J.P. Morgan and Standard Chartered for high automated and error-free international fund transfer rates.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
