BDO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) registered a net income of P16.5 billion for the first quarter of 2023, with broad-based growth across its businesses. Return on Average Common Equity (ROCE) advanced to 14.45% from 11.09% in the comparable period last year.
Gross customer loans increased 8% to P2.6 trillion while total deposits expanded 14% to P3.2 trillion. Given the uncertainty, the Bank has maintained a healthy balance between loan growth and sufficient liquidity for unforeseen events, maintaining its liquidity ratio at 35%.
Net interest income grew to P43.4 billion while non-interest income rose to P18.9 billion, bolstered by solid growth in the various fee-based as well as treasury/FX businesses.
Operating expenses (Opex) went up by 17%, mainly from volume-related costs such as credit card interchange fees, Documentary Stamp Taxes and Gross Receipts Taxes, consistent with increased activity. The Bank also sustained its IT investments and branch expansion with 97 new branches opened since 1Q 2022. Revenue growth continued to outpace opex growth, resulting in pre-provision operating profit accelerating to P24.9 billion.
Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 1.98% from 2.72% in 1Q22, while NPL coverage increased from 120% to 170% YoY, as the Bank maintained its conservative credit and provisioning policies.
Capital base strengthened to P475.9 billion, with Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio at 14.8% and 13.7%, respectively, both comfortably above regulatory minimum levels. Book value per share rose by 10.5% YoY to P88.81.
While macroeconomic challenges persist with still elevated inflation and interest rates, the Bank believes it is in a good position to weather short-term volatility and capitalize on long-term growth opportunities given its sound balance sheet, established business franchise and strong and diversified earnings streams.
