CBS China Bank Savings (CBS) continued its strong growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, posting a net income of P631.2 million, representing an impressive 11.5% year-on-year (YoY) increase, fueled by sustained expansion across its core business segments and growing customer confidence in the Bank’s “Easy Banking” philosophy.
The Bank’s robust performance was highlighted by a 20.4% YoY increase in net interest income, which climbed to P2.8 billion, driven primarily by the continued strength of its lending operations and expanding retail and business loan portfolio.
CBS also strengthened its balance sheet, with total assets reaching P217.3 billion, supported by a steadily growing customer base that has now surpassed one million clients nationwide.
Net loans expanded by 11.5% YoY to P155.5 billion, driven mainly by the sustained growth of the Bank’s salary loan and business loan segments — reflecting CBS’ commitment to empowering Filipino consumers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with accessible and affordable financing solutions.
Meanwhile, deposits grew by 12.0% to P191.4 billion, further reinforcing the Bank’s strong liquidity position and funding stability amid a dynamic economic environment.
CBS President James Christian T. Dee emphasized that the Bank’s consistent growth is rooted in customer trust and long-term relationships.
“CBS prides itself on maintaining strong relationships with its customers, and they have rewarded the Bank with loyalty. There is no substitute for trust and dependability, and the Bank provides that in spades whatever the circumstance,” Dee said.
The Bank likewise maintained stable asset quality, with a non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of 2.9%, while continuing to uphold a prudent and conservative provisioning strategy through adequate loan-loss coverage.
CBS Chairman Ricardo R. Chua expressed optimism over the Bank’s continued momentum, highlighting the institution’s agility and youthful organizational culture as key advantages in today’s evolving financial landscape.
“These are interesting times, but a young bank like CBS can be more agile and adapt to changing environments faster. CBS is steadily establishing itself as a significant player in the thrift banking space through its mix of affordable and readily available loan products, backed by a competent and highly driven workforce that understands the needs of its target market,” Chua said.
As part of its aggressive nationwide expansion strategy, CBS continues to strengthen its customer reach through its growing network of 175 branches, 34 APD lending centers, and 73 APD branch-lite units, supported by more than 3,000 employees nationwide.
In April 2026 alone, the Bank converted 10 branch-lite units into full-service branches, with plans to open five additional branches before the end of the second quarter, bringing CBS’ total branch network to 190 branches nationwide.
Alongside its physical expansion, CBS is likewise accelerating investments in digital banking capabilities as part of its broader transformation initiatives aimed at delivering faster, more convenient, and more accessible financial services to Filipinos across the country.
Leading the Bank’s branch expansion efforts is CBS Senior Vice President and Retail Banking Group Head Jan Nikolai M. Lim, who underscored the Bank’s confidence in the resilience of the Philippine economy despite prevailing economic uncertainties.
“We at CBS are eager to provide our ‘Easy Banking’ services nationwide, which is why we continue to expand our branch network despite accelerating inflation. We remain confident in the resilience of the Philippine economy, and we recognize that the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Filipino entrepreneur will continue to require strong financial support from the banking sector to ensure sustainability and prosperity for their businesses,” Lim said.
Moving forward, CBS remains focused on sustaining long-term growth by expanding higher-yielding loan segments, growing its CASA base, deepening customer relationships, and enhancing operational efficiency through continued investments in both physical and digital banking infrastructure.
With its customer-first approach, expanding national footprint, and commitment to innovation, CBS continues to solidify its position as one of the country’s fastest-growing and most dynamic thrift banks.
