ABN AMRO reported second-quarter net profit of €781 million on Wednesday, up 29% on the same quarter a year earlier, as the Dutch lender benefited from continued growth in lending and deposits and a strong contribution from net interest income. Return on equity, the industry's key profitability yardstick, improved to 12.1% over the period.
The Amsterdam-headquartered bank said in its release that the quarter showed continued growth in lending and deposits, while net interest income momentum remained strong. Chief Executive Marguerite Bérard said the bank had "delivered another strong quarter, supported by continued client demand and high fees".
PROFITABILITY LIFTED BY FEES AND LENDING
The bank said fees were high, reflecting an increase in client assets and continued strong Clearing results. Mortgages grew by €1.7 billion and corporate loans by €2.7 billion in the quarter.
In Personal & Business Banking, net interest income increased, driven by growth in client deposits and improved margins, and the bank raised its full-year 2026 commercial net interest income guidance to €6.8 billion, including NIBC.
COSTS LOWER, CAPITAL STRONG
The bank lowered its full-year 2026 cost guidance to €5.5 billion, including NIBC, citing strong cost discipline. Net profit beat the analyst consensus of about €686 million, and the shares rose more than 5% to a record high, DutchNews reported.
The Dutch state, which rescued the bank during the 2008 financial crisis, still holds about a fifth of ABN AMRO and is nearing recovery of its €21.7 billion bailout investment, DutchNews reported. The CET1 ratio stood at 15.9%, and the interim dividend was set at €0.68 per share.
Credit quality remained robust, with cost of risk at 4 basis points. The bank completed its acquisition of NIBC on 1 August 2026.
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