CBS extends record profit run to fourth year on retail growth
James Christian T. Dee
China Bank Savings (CBS) Inc. posted a record net income of ₱2.4 billion in 2025, marking a fourth consecutive year of growth driven by the 13 percent surge in its loan portfolio.
In a statement, CBS reported that the retail arm of China Banking Corp. saw full-year earnings rise more than 10 percent, capitalizing on the sustained post-pandemic rebound in credit demand and customer base.
CBS’ total assets climbed 15 percent to ₱218 billion as the bank’s customer base surpassed the one-million mark.
The results cement the lender’s standing in the Philippine thrift banking sector, where it currently ranks first in deposits and second in both total assets and loans.
The bank's loan portfolio also grew 13 percent to ₱154 billion last year, driven by robust demand in core lending segments, including its specialized programs for educators.
On the funding side, CBS’ deposits increased 15 percent to ₱192 billion, providing a stable liquidity buffer as the bank eyes further expansion.
James Christian T. Dee, CBS president, credited the performance to the bank’s ability to navigate a “shifting economic landscape” and signaled that the momentum would likely carry into the current year.
"We are confident in our bank’s fundamentals, and we fully expect to have another strong showing this 2026," Dee said.
To support this growth, CBS is embarking on an aggressive physical expansion. The bank plans to open 14 new branches in the first quarter of 2026, targeting provincial hubs including Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, and Oriental Mindoro.
The move is designed to deepen the bank's penetration into underserved consumer markets, complementing its existing network of 175 branches and over 100 dedicated lending centers for teachers.
While the bank is doubling down on its physical footprint, it is also leaning into automation to manage costs. The lender currently utilizes an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, Casey, to handle customer experience management.
CBS indicated that its future strategy involves growing its low-cost current account and savings account (CASA) base while upgrading its mobile applications to diversify revenue streams.