MANILA, Philippines — China Banking Corp. (Chinabank), the Sy family-led lender, reported a record-breaking net income of ₱28.2 billion for the full year of 2025, marking its strongest financial performance in its 105-year history.
Key Financial Highlights:
- Net Income: ₱28.2 billion, a 14% increase from the ₱24.8 billion recorded in 2024.
- Core Business Growth: The surge was driven by a robust 15% jump in net interest income, reaching ₱72.8 billion, as the bank’s lending portfolio expanded significantly across both corporate and consumer segments.
- Return on Equity (ROE): Remained industry-leading at 15.4%, while Return on Assets (ROA) stood at 1.6%.
- Loan Portfolio: Gross loans grew by 14% to over ₱1 trillion for the first time, reflecting strong economic activity and high borrower confidence.
Operational Excellence and Asset Quality:
- Efficiency: Despite a 15% increase in operating expenses (reaching ₱34.5 billion) due to heavy investments in technology and manpower, the bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 44%.
- Asset Quality: The bank maintained a healthy non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 1.6%, which remains significantly lower than the industry average.
- Total Assets: Chinabank ended 2025 with total assets of ₱1.8 trillion, cementing its position as the fourth-largest private universal bank in the Philippines.
Management Statement:
Chinabank President and CEO Romeo D. Uyan Jr. attributed the record results to the bank’s strategic digital transformation and its focus on “delivering quality service and superior value” to clients. CFO Patrick D. Cheng added that the bank’s “solid capital structure and ample liquidity” allow it to remain resilient amidst market volatilities.