Asia United Bank (AUB) and its subsidiaries posted a record net income of P3.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026 on sustained core lending momentum, increased operational efficiency and a strengthened capital position.
The lender reported that its net interest margin expanded to 5.3 percent in the first quarter from 5.1 percent a year ago, supported by asset-liability management and a robust funding base. AUB’s return on equity stood at 19.3 percent, while its return on assets reached 3.2 percent for the period.
Total loans and receivables grew 9.4 percent year-on-year to P276.2 billion. On the funding side, total deposits increased 8.9 percent to P335.5 billion. The bank’s CASA-to-total deposits ratio climbed to 78 percent from 69 percent a year ago, indicating a low-cost funding base.
AUB boosted its capital position as its capital adequacy ratio improved to 19.3 percent and its common equity tier 1 ratio rose to 18.7 percent. Both metrics remain comfortably above regulatory requirements, providing a cushion against macroeconomic pressures and supporting future expansion, it said.
The bank said it improved its cost-to-income ratio to 30.4 percent from 32.6 percent in the first quarter of 2025. Despite proactively increasing credit provisions to P331.3 million, AUB maintained a non-performing loan ratio of 0.44 percent and an NPL coverage ratio of 111.2 percent.
“These achievements and our historic-high financial results serve as a powerful validation of our ability to maintain stability and growth in a ‘permacrisis’ environment,” AUB president Manuel Gomez said.
“Our robust internal controls and investment strategies are built to withstand extreme external shocks while delivering world-class service,” said Gomez.
Global financial institutions recently recognized the bank for its operational metrics. J.P. Morgan and Standard Chartered Bank honored AUB with Straight Through Processing Excellence Awards for achieving automated international fund transfer rates as high as 99.3 percent for US dollar payments.
“These are testimonies to the high standard of performance of AUB’s officers and staff, and your dedication to serving clients,” Standard Chartered Bank head of financial institutions Tet Sangil said.
AUB head of IT and operations and executive vice-president Wilfredo Rodriguez Jr. said earning recognition from global payment partners encourages the bank to further improve its digital capabilities while adhering to industry standards.
“Earning recognition from our global payments partners emboldens us to further improve on our digital capabilities while being strictly adherent to the requirements on industry standards for the SWIFT environment, which also includes the security requirements of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as well as all regulatory requirements on money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) checking and validations,” Rodriguez said.
CFA Society Philippines also named the AUB Peso Investment Fund and the AUB Gold Dollar Fund as “Best Managed Funds” in February 2026.
 posted a record-high net income of P3.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong lending, improved operational efficiency, and capital strength.){kind=link}