BDO UNIBANK, INC. (BDO) delivered an 18 per cent hike in earnings of P8.4 billion in 3Q 2018 compared to the same quarter a year-ago, on solid expansion from its core lending and deposit-taking, life insurance and fee-based businesses. The 3Q 2018 net result also represented a 15 per cent rise quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) from the P7.3 billion profit recorded in 2Q 2018. This brings the Bank’s income for the first nine (9) months of this year to P21.5 billion, higher by six (6) per cent from year ago levels. Excluding the results of BDO Life, which was impacted by PFRS9’s mark to market (MTM) on its investment portfolio and One Network Bank (ONB) with its ongoing investment in the Micro-SME (MSME) lending business, net income year-to-date (YTD) would have registered a 13 per cent growth.
Lending operations posted a 17 per cent rise in gross customer loans to almost P2.0 trillion, led by the middle-market and consumer segments. Asset growth was funded by the 12 per cent increase in total deposits to P2.3 trillion, with low-cost CASA ratio steady at 70 per cent. As such, net interest income (NII) expanded by 20 per cent to P71.5 billion, with net interest margin (NIM) increasing YoY and QoQ due to upward loan re-pricing, and managed funding costs given a large low-cost CASA base.
Non-interest income rose to P35.8 billion on the back of insurance premiums and feebased income which grew by 21 per cent and seven (7) per cent, respectively. However, these growth numbers were off set by the 71 per cent decline in trading and forex gains due to the continuing volatility in the capital markets. Overall, gross operating income went up by 13 per cent to P107.3 billion.
Operating expenses advanced by 13 per cent to P71.7 billion, on sustained business and branch expansion as well as higher documentary stamp tax (DST) on Time Deposits owing to the implementation of the government’s tax reform program.
Volume-related operating expenses, comprising 41 per cent of total operating expenses, grew by 14 per cent.
The Bank remained prudent as it set aside provisions amounting to P5.5 billion even as gross non-performing loan (NPL) ratio trended lower to 1.1 per cent from 1.2 per cent in 2Q 2018 and 1.3 per cent in 3Q 2017, despite a higher interest rate environment. NPL cover likewise increased to 175 per cent from 158 per cent in 2Q 2018 and 136 per cent in 3Q 2017.
Total capital increased to P311.8 billion, with both Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) above regulatory minimum, and remaining steady QoQ at 12.3 per cent and 13.9 per cent respectively.
With the positive performance in the first nine (9) months this year, the Bank believes that the 2018 full-year earnings guidance of P31 billion remains within reach given the seasonally stronger fourth quarter, combined with encouraging results from the Bank’s strategic initiatives expanding across underserved segments and growth areas.
About BDO
BDO is a full-service universal bank which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services. These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust and wealth advisory, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, credit card services and insurance and stock brokerage services.
BDO has one of the largest distribution networks, with more than 1,200 operating branches and over 4,000 ATMs nationwide. It also has a full-service branch in Hong Kong as well as 24 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of June 30, 2018. For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph.
