Metrobank nets P8 B in Q1; higher loans with better asset quality

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) posted net income of P8.0 billion in
the first quarter of 2022. Metrobank’s solid performance is attributed to stable net
interest income supported by recovery in loans, modest rise in non-interest income and
marginal costs growth.

Asset quality remains healthy, prompting further decline in provisions. These positive drivers improved the Bank’s average return on equity (ROE) to 10 percent.

“We are encouraged by the sustained pick-up in economic activities as Metrobank stands ready to support our clients in their funding plans and investment needs,” said

Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee. “The strategies that we have put in place should
enable the Bank to achieve sustainable growth along with the expanding domestic
economy,” added Dee.

Gross loans rose by 5 percent year in year (YoY) to P1.3 trillion, led by a robust 10 percent expansion in corporate
lending and 8 percent increase in credit card receivables. Loan growth was supported by a
17 percent jump in total deposits to P2.0 trillion. CASA deposits rose by 10 percent, resulting in
CASA ratio of 71 percent. The sustained rise in low-cost CASA helped further lower funding
cost. As a result, net interest income reached P19.3 billion.

Meanwhile, non-interest income went up by 5 percent driven by a 7 percent jump in service fees
and commissions. Even with market volatility in the first quarter, the Bank was able to
generate P2.3 billion in trading and FX gains.

Operating costs remained under control, inching up by just one percent to P14.9 billion reflecting
the ongoing efforts to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. As such, cost-to-
income ratio improved to 54.1 percent from 54.6 percent in the same period last year.

Growth was not at the expense of quality as non-performing loans (NPLs) declined by
5 percent to P27.0 billion. The resulting NPL ratio improved to 2.2 percent from 2.4 percent last year, while
NPL cover remained ample at 179 percent. Solid asset quality allowed the Bank to trim down
provisions further.

Metrobank is the country’s second largest private universal bank with consolidated
assets of P2.6 trillion and total equity of P303.8 billion. The Bank’s balance sheet
remains strong with capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 18.5 percent and common equity Tier 1
(CET 1) of 17.6 percent, both substantially higher than the regulatory minimum.

As a testament to the Bank’s aim to deliver its full potential across all its business
segments, Metrobank Private Wealth was named the Best Domestic Private Bank in the
Philippines during the Asiamoney 2022 Private Banking Awards.

“Our goal at Metrobank Private Wealth is to be our clients’ most trusted financial advisor and to
develop a relationship with them that will span generations,” said Lizette Perez, Senior
Vice President and Head of Metrobank Private Wealth.

In 2021, the Bank was awarded the Best Multi-Product Financing Deal and Best
Syndicated Loan Deal at the Asset Triple-A Awards. In recognition of its overall fortress
balance sheet and resilience, Metrobank was hailed the Strongest Bank in the
Philippines by the Asian Banker and Best Domestic Bank in the Philippines by
Asiamoney.