BPI raises Q1 provisions to P4.23 billion due to COVID-19 crisis

Bank of the Philippine Islands booked Php 4.23 billion in provisions for loan losses in the first quarter of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic ushers in a difficult period for consumers and businesses that could lead to potentially higher NPLs. This provision is 2.4x more than the Php 1.80 billion setaside during the same period in 2019.

This resulted in a Net Income of Php 6.39 billion for first quarter 2020, a decline of 5.0% from Php 6.72 billion registered in the same period last year.

For the first quarter 2020, total Revenues increased by 10.9% to Php 25.26 billion. Net Interest Income grew by 13.0%, reaching Php 18.14 billion. Net Interest Margin was 3.63%, up by 24 basis points from 3.39% in the first quarter of 2019 as lower asset yields were offset by lower cost of funds. Non-Interest Income was Php 7.12 billion, an increase of 5.8% versus 2019, primarily from higher securities trading gains.

Operating Expenses for the first quarter 2020 totaled Php 12.53 billion, slightly up by 3.8% from the previous year. Cost-to-Income Ratio was at 49.6%, lower than the 53.0% recorded in the prior year.

Total Loans as of March 31, 2020 reached at Php 1.45 trillion, up 7.3% year-on-year, with growth recorded in microfinance, SME, consumer, and corporate loan segments at 66.6%, 14.2%, 9.5%, and 6.7%, respectively. Total Deposits increased to Php 1.68 trillion, up 4.3% year-on-year. The Bank’s CASA Ratio was 73.5%, while the Loan-to-Deposit Ratio was 86.3%.

The Bank’s indicative NPL Coverage Ratio increased to 109.02% in March 2020 compared to 92.55% as of March 2019. NPL Ratio stood at 1.82% as of the end of the first quarter 2020.

As of March 31, 2020, Total Assets stood at Php 2.19 trillion, higher by 5.1% year-on-year. The Bank’s total securities position was at Php 338.13 billion, of which 73.5% was in Hold-to-Collect, therefore less sensitive to market risk. Total Equity amounted to Php 272.70 billion, with an indicative Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 15.19% and a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 16.08%, both well above regulatory requirements. Return on Equity was 9.38%, while Return on Assets was 1.21%.

In January 2020, BPI successfully raised Php 15.3 billion in 2-year peso bonds, followed by another Php 33.9 billion via a 1.5-year peso bond issuance in March 2020. Both debt capital market transactions further enhanced the Bank’s liquidity position.

April 23, 2020