Bank of Commerce H1-2024 Net profit at P1.42 Billion with Continued People and Technology Investments

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) affiliate Bank of Commerce (BankCom) reported 8% year-on-year growth in total revenues amounting to P5.23 billion for the first semester of 2024. Net income, on the other hand, reached P1.48 billion for the period. This translated to a return on equity (ROE) and return on asset (ROA) of 9.12% and 1.23%, respectively.

Topline revenues were mainly driven by expansion across all lending segments resulting from a higher loan and securities portfolio. Meanwhile, corporate loans grew on account of program lending and loans to the SMC ecosystem. 

In addition, BankCom has continued to invest in its people and in technology, as it aims to sustain its growth momentum over recent years. The bank saw strategic hirings, and an improved retention program which led to an increase in compensation costs. Investments in technology, geared towards modernization activities, include a new Core Banking System (a partnership with Infosys), the upgrade of its Cash Management System and a new Fraud Management System. The Bank believes that sustained investments in these areas will propel it to long-term profit growth.

In the H1-2024 the Bank also declared its first dividends in more than 20 years as committed during the Bank’s IPO. The Bank set aside P0.726 per preferred share and P0.2512 per common share amounting to 23.37% of its previous year’s profits. 

On April 29, 2024, the Bank inaugurated its Pasig-C5 Branch, dubbed its “Branch of Tomorrow”. Showcasing a new look, the branch reflects BankCom’s vision to be the best conglomerate bank in the Philippines.

Revenues

BankCom’s revenue growth was mainly driven by higher net interest income. 

Net interest income, accounting for over three-fourths of total revenues, grew 15% to P4.53 billion compared to P3.95 billion last year. This translated to a net interest margin (NIM) of 4.53%. 

Other income decreased by 23% to P698.37 million, mainly due to seasonality in fees, and commissions, lower foreign exchange and trading gains, and decrease in gains on real and other properties acquired (ROPA). The Investment Banking Group and the Acquired Assets Division did not see the same volume of transactions in the H1-2024 as the previous year, but the 2024 pipeline remains strong. 

The bank remains prudent by setting aside P101.82 million as provision for credit and impairment losses.

Operating expenses, excluding provision for credit and impairment losses, posted P3.25 billion, 19% more than the P2.74 billion last year. Growth in operating expenses was mainly due to the Bank’s continued investment in People and Technology. The 30% growth in Compensation to P1.26 billion was driven by increase in manpower count and improved retention program. Depreciation and amortization (IT related) amounted to P295.30 million, 34% up from last year’s P220.07 million on account of higher depreciation of computer equipment and other properties held. Technology modernization activities include a new Core Banking System (a partnership with Infosys), upgrading Cash Management and Fraud Management System (for safe and secure digital banking). 

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2024, total assets amounted to P230.68 billion, translating to return on assets (ROA) of 1.23%.

Total loans and receivables, representing over 50% of total assets, rose 13% to P123.71 billion, driven by growth in corporate and consumer loans. The loan growth resulted to a loan-to-deposit ratio of 75%. Asset quality remained strong with gross non-performing loans (NPL) and net NPL ratios at 1.70% and 0.53% respectively, from 1.54% and 0.44% as of end-2023.

Total deposits moderately declined to P177.39 billion, 5% lower than the previous year with the Bank managing higher cost deposit levels and seeing volatility in its CASA levels given interest rates remaining higher for longer. Broken down, total deposits comprised of P155.20 billion CASA, P17.16 billion Time Deposits and P5.03 billion Long-term Negotiable Certificate.

Bank premises expanded with the transformation of selected branches to a “Branch of Tomorrow” (BOT) concept apt for customers seeking efficiency, functionality, clarity of boundaries, cosmopolitan aesthetics, and a focus on practicality and sustainability. The current BOT branches include Pasig-C5, General Santos, Tuguegarao, and the Clark Freeport.

The bank’s capital funds stood at P31.34 billion, 2% higher than the P30.85 billion in 2023 even with the Bank setting aside reserves for dividends declared in H1-2024.

The bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) remained strong at 17.97%, well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 10.0%.

An affiliate of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) since 2008, Bank of Commerce is a publicly-listed universal bank focused on helping its clients, communities and conglomerate partners by delivering the best choice of financial services harnessing the strengths of the SMC Group. Bank of Commerce is identified by its logo bearing the SMC symbols of escudo and cloverleaf, and by the trademark license short name "BankCom" granted by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) in 2020. BankCom traces its origins to the Overseas Bank of Manila which opened in Binondo, Manila in 1963.

​BankCom marked its 60th anniversary in 2023, ending the year with a record high net income of P2.8 billion, outperforming its full-year 2022 profit of ₽1.8 billion by 56%, the highest growth among listed Philippine banks. BankCom maintains a network of 140 branches and 259 automated teller machines (ATMs) as of June 30, 2024, strategically located nationwide