BOV reports profit before tax of €54 million for first quarter 2026
The first quarter of 2026 represented a solid start to the financial year for the Bank of Valletta Group, characterised by continued balance‑sheet growth, resilient core operating income and disciplined execution of its strategy.
BOV reports profit before tax of €54 million for first quarter 2026
The first quarter of 2026 represented a solid start to the financial year for the Bank of Valletta Group, characterised by continued balance‑sheet growth, resilient core operating income and disciplined execution of its strategy. For the first quarter of 2026, the Group announced a Profit Before Tax of €54 million, representing a decrease of 19.5% over the same period in 2025.
During the period, the Group delivered a resilient core operating performance, supported by strong capital and liquidity positions. Solid business activity sustained core income, with net interest income benefiting from continued lending growth and disciplined treasury management, underpinned by a stable, high quality funding base. Net Fee and Commission Income remained stable, reflecting strong customer activity and reinforcing the Group’s income diversification strategy.
The bottom line profitability was shaped by specific, non‑recurring factors, including heightened geopolitical tensions that led to increased financial‑market volatility. While not impacting the Group’s core operating activities, customer behaviour or portfolio performance, this resulted in an unrealised valuation impact on the equity investment portfolio. Consequently, a net trading loss of €3.6 million was recorded when compared with a gain of €5.5 million in 2025. This was not material and did not affect the Group’s capital strength or liquidity position.
Profitability was also influenced by higher impairment charges, reflecting specific and identifiable credit developments rather than a deterioration in the broader credit environment. The Group recognised an impairment charge of €5.6 million during the period, primarily driven by the continued material growth in the commercial lending book and the increase in stage 1 assets. Notwithstanding these charges, asset quality indicators remained strong, supported by prudent underwriting standards and disciplined credit risk management.
Performance Highlights
Profit Before Tax amounted to €54 million, down from €67.1 million.
Net Interest Income stood at €100.2 million, up from €92.5 million.
Net Fee and Commission Income increased from €20 million to €20.2 million.
Operating costs totalled €61.7 million, up from €52.8 million.
Cost to income ratio increased to 51.8% from 44.7%.
Return on Average Equity (pre-tax) decreased to 14.2% from 17.9%.
Deposits increased by €351.9 million, surpassing the €14.1 billion mark.
Total assets stood at €17 billion, up from €16.5 billion in December 2025.
The credit portfolio reached €8.3 billion, up from €8 billion in December 2025.
Net Asset Value per share stood at €2.4, up from €2.3 in December 2025.
Capital ratios remained strong and above regulatory requirements.
The Group continues to monitor the evolving geopolitical environment and its potential impact on the Maltese economy and the financial system and maintains enhanced monitoring across key risk dimensions. The assessment remains that Malta entered the current period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty from a position of relative strength, supported by resilient economic growth, low unemployment, moderating inflation and sound public finances.
The Group’s risk management framework incorporates forward looking scenario analysis and early warning indicators to identify emerging stresses. To date, these have not signalled any material deterioration in customer behaviour or portfolio performance. This approach ensures that the Group remains well positioned to absorb potential shocks and continue supporting customers and the wider economy amid an increasingly uncertain global backdrop.
“Resilience, disciplined execution and strong fundamentals” - Chairperson Dr Cordina
Commenting on the Group’s performance, Chairperson Dr Cordina stated, “The Group delivered a strong start to the year, reflecting resilience, a disciplined approach and solid fundamentals. This performance was achieved in a stable economic environment, alongside the expected normalisation of earnings, interest rate stability and a renewed period of geopolitical uncertainty.
From a market standpoint, the Share Buyback Programme continued to support trading activity in the Bank’s shares, while preparations are now underway for the issuance of a €300 million Senior Preferred Instrument, subject to regulatory approval. Supported by a strong capital base, resilient day‑to‑day performance and consistent execution of our strategy, the Bank’s share price rose to highs of €2.14 during the period.
Looking ahead, the Group remains well positioned to deliver a profit before tax for the year in the range of €210 million to €250 million, in line with previous guidance. We also remain committed to rewarding our shareholders and intend to maintain our policy of distributing up to 50% of after‑tax profits, subject to prevailing market conditions.”
“Yet another strong financial performance by the BOV Group” – CEO Kenneth Farrugia
CEO Kenneth Farrugia said, “I am pleased to report another strong performance by the BOV Group, building on the positive results delivered in 2025. During the first quarter of 2026, the Group sustained resilient operating performance, continued to grow its balance sheet and maintained sound asset quality, sustained lending and treasury activities, supported by a diversified business model.
The depth of our deposit base reflects the confidence our customers place in our credibility and long term approach. The growth and diversification of our corporate loan book support key commercial economic sectors, while the consolidation of our corporate services under one roof and the broadening of our service offer through non life insurance further strengthen our position as the Bank of Choice in Malta.
These results reflect strong fundamentals and continued customer trust. With the largest network of customer touchpoints in Malta, and a resilience underpinned by strong investment grade credit ratings, the Group is uniquely positioned to deliver stability and consistency while remaining deeply embedded in Malta’s economy. As we enter the final year of our strategic cycle, our focus remains on disciplined execution, responsible banking and the creation of long term value for all our stakeholders.”
Financial Performance
Net Interest Income for Q1 amounted to €100.2 million, an increase of €7.7 million when compared to 2025. Growth was recorded in both loans and advances to customers underscoring the relevance of BOV’s products within the lending sector and equally important income from disciplined treasury management. Net Fee and Commission Income is reported at €20.2 million, a marginal increase of 1.1% from the same quarter last year, reflecting resilient customer activity with continued strength in cards and credit-related fees, consistent with ongoing shifts towards digital payment solutions.
Operating costs at end March 2026 totalled €61.7 million, an increase of €8.9 million over Q1 2025. This reflects higher personnel and IT costs, depreciation charges and contributions to the Depositor Compensation Scheme. As a result, the cost to income ratio increased from 44.7% in 2025 to 51.8%, consistent with the expected low to mid 50% range outlined in the forward guidance.
The return on average equity (pre-tax) declined to 14.2%, down by 3.7 percentage points compared to 2025, consistent with the expected range communicated earlier this year and very much influenced by the one off profitability movements and the increased equity base. Earnings Per Share decreased to €0.056 compared to €0.069 for 2025 (restated for bonus issue in Q2 2025), reflecting the lower profit before tax for the quarter and the ongoing share buyback programme that partially mitigated the decline.
Asset quality indicators remain strong, with the NPL ratio improving to 1.57%, while ECL coverage ratio for credit-impaired assets stood at 55.1%, reflecting a sensible provisioning stance while continuing to benefit from improving portfolio quality and dynamics.
Financial Position
Total assets stood at €17 billion in March 2026, up by approximately half a billion when compared with 2025. This represents a new high for the Group, with growth reflecting sustained balance-sheet expansion, consistent with the strategic focus on supporting domestic economic activity while maintaining strong liquidity and funding discipline. The Treasury portfolio has now reached €7 billion in Q1 2026, an increase of €119.3 million, reflecting the Group’s deployment of excess liquidity into high-quality debt securities.
The credit portfolio continued to grow, with the balance reaching €8.3 billion in the first quarter, reflecting strong momentum in customer lending. As a result, the gross loan-to-deposits ratio increased from 59% in December 2025 to 59.5% during the quarter. Deposits experienced another significant increase of €351.9 million or 2.6% during the first quarter of 2026, surpassing the €14.1 billion mark, reflecting the strength of the Group’s retail franchise driven by an increase in both retail and business deposits. As a result, the Group maintained very strong liquidity position, with the LCR ratio of 385.8% well above the minimum regulatory requirements.
The Group’s total equity closed at €1.5 billion, marginally higher from December 2025 with the Net Asset Value per share standing at €2.4 per share (December 2025: €2.3 per share), further strengthening the underlying book value position. The Group’s capital ratios remained strong and comfortably above regulatory requirements.
