Philippine Business Bank (PBB) reported that its net income fell about 15 percent to ₱1.523 billion in the first nine months of 2025, from ₱1.8 billion recorded a year earlier.

PBB Vice Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Roland Avente cited “certain headwinds,” including economic effects and a "tough market," for the decline.

“Amid the backdrop of a sluggish economy and intensified market competition, PBB was still able to attain asset growth and strong core income levels,” Avente said.

From January to September, the local lender’s net interest income climbed to ₱5.39 billion from ₱4.9 billion in the prior year. Core income remained steady at ₱2.56 billion.

During the first nine months, PBB’s total loans and receivables reached ₱121.1 billion, while total resources stood at ₱164 billion. The bank's deposit liabilities grew to ₱136.7 billion.

The bank attributed its growth to its clientele, risk-taking initiatives, and managed interest differential.

“This year, a portion of the Bank’s lending portfolio was affected by delays in government payment releases to its suppliers, temporarily lengthening collection cycles. PBB is actively managing these exposures and continues to implement measures aimed at improving collections,” Avente elaborated.

Moving forward, PBB will focus on engaging with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the mid-market. It also plans to expand its consumer loan business to help boost core income.

“While the operating environment remains challenging, PBB sees continued growth potential, thanks to our clients' trust and loyalty, and employees' hard work and commitment,” the executive concluded.

PBB, the financial services unit of the Yao Group of Companies, has about 158 branches nationwide. The bank primarily serves the SME segment, which makes up roughly 99.5 percent of all registered enterprises in the country.