Intesa Sanpaolo achieved best half-year profit

The banking group Intesa Sanpaolo recorded the best half-year performance in its history for the first six months of 2026. The group's net profit rose by 6.5% year-on-year to €5.6 billion, leading to an upward revision of the full-year outlook to above €10 billion. The Slovak-based VÚB banka, which is part of this international banking group, also performed well. VÚB confirmed its strong business performance and consolidated its stable position in the domestic market.

The main driver of the group's success in the first half of 2026 was a record increase in revenues from fees, insurance, and wealth management. The group's operating profit grew by 9.1% compared to the first half of 2025, while operating costs fell by 0.7% thanks to cost discipline. Financial assets of clients exceeded €1.5 trillion.

The group maintains an excellent capital position with a CET1 ratio of 13.1% and confirms its status as a bank with a near-zero share of non-performing loans (Net NPL ratio of 0.8%). Extraordinary profitability is also confirmed by an ROE of 20% and a ROTE of 25%. Furthermore, during 2026, the group plans to distribute approximately €9.4 billion through dividends and share buybacks.

In addition to commercial success, the group confirmed its role as a leader in social impact. It supported financial inclusion by providing €3 billion in social loans and has allocated more than €1.1 billion since 2023 to fight poverty and reduce inequalities.

VÚB bank achieved an operating profit of €252.1 million and a net profit of €170 million in the first half of the year. The results for the first six months of the year confirm the bank's strong business performance, balanced growth in both assets and liabilities, and efficient cost management. VÚB recorded positive developments particularly in mortgage lending and investment services.

The total volume of loans to clients reached €22.9 billion at the end of June 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.7%. The growth of the loan portfolio was driven mainly by the retail segment, primarily mortgage loans.

Dynamic development also continued on the funding side. The total volume of funding source liabilities amounted to €18.6 billion, which is 11.9% more than in June 2025. Both household and corporate client deposits contributed to this growth.

Revenues on financial markets increased further boosted by cooperation with the investment product management company Eurizon, also part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group. Eurizon holds a leading market position in fund sales and in the volume of assets under management.

The bank's operating costs increased slightly year-on-year, mainly due to higher personnel and administrative expenses. Their development remained in line with expectations, and VÚB banka continued to maintain a high level of operational efficiency. The cost-to-income ratio on a consolidated basis reached 36.2%. Despite a slight year-on-year increase, it remained at a very low level.

The successful results of the first half-year were also complemented by VÚB banka's international success in the field of digital innovation. Global Finance magazine included VÚB banka among the Top Financial Innovators for 2026 in the Central and Eastern European region. The bank received the award for the Sofia project, a unique digital solution built on artificial intelligence that supports personal bankers in financial advising.