Optima Bank has reported its financial results for the first nine months of 2026:
- Net interest income rose 33% year on year to €203.5m, driven by 38% higher loan balances and resilient lending margins.
- The net interest margin stood at 3.26%, compared with 3.34% in the first nine months of 2025, mainly due to the fall in Euribor.
- Net fee income increased 55% year on year to €62.4m, driven by growth in lending activity and higher fees from asset management and investment banking.
- Operating expenses were 20% higher year on year at €58.6m, reflecting a 23% increase in staff costs and a 22% rise in general and administrative expenses.
- The cost-to-core-income ratio fell further to 22.1%, from 25.2% in the first nine months of 2025 and 22.6% in the first half of 2026.
- The cost of risk stood at 52 basis points, compared with 50 basis points in the same period last year.
- Net profit reached €165.1m, up 34% year on year.
- Loans before provisions stood at €6.1bn, up 38% year on year and 5% quarter on quarter.
- New loan disbursements in the first nine months of 2026 totalled €3.1bn, compared with €2.5bn in the first nine months of 2025, with the majority comprising corporate loans.
- Deposits rose 32% year on year and 5% quarter on quarter to €7.5bn.
- The loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 81.6%, compared with 77.3% in the first nine months of 2025 and 81.9% in the first half of 2026.
- Liquidity ratios remained strong, with the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) at 153.1% and the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) at 130.0%, while the bank maintained zero funding from the ECB. NPE and NPL ratios remained the lowest in the market, at 1.62% and 0.64%, respectively.
- The NPE coverage ratio, including collateral, stood at 127%. The CET1 and total capital ratio (TCR) stood at 12.02% and 17.29%, respectively.
Dimitris Kyparissis: A landmark period
“The first nine months of 2026 mark yet another landmark period for Optima bank, as we continued to deliver profitability across all the key areas of our business,” the bank’s CEO says.
“During this period, net profit rose 34% year on year to €165.1m, while return on tangible equity (RoTE) reached 27.8%, demonstrating the strength of our business model and our ability to consistently generate high returns for our shareholders.
This performance was supported by strong customer activity, significant expansion of the loan portfolio, a favourable interest-rate environment and continued momentum in fee-generating business.
Gross loans rose 38% year on year to €6.1bn, with new loan disbursements totalling €3.1bn in the first nine months of 2026. This reflects our continued commitment to financing Greek businesses and supporting economic growth.
At the same time, customer deposits reached €7.5bn, up 32% year on year, confirming the confidence our customers place in us and further strengthening the bank’s liquidity.
Equally important, our growth continues to be underpinned by disciplined risk management. Our asset quality remains among the strongest in the Greek banking sector, with the non-performing exposure (NPE) ratio at 1.62%, while the bank’s liquidity remains particularly strong, with the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) at 153.1% and the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) at 130.0%.
Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about Optima bank’s prospects. Strong momentum in our core business, the continued expansion of our customer base and the resilience of the Greek economy provide a solid foundation for sustainable and profitable growth.
We remain committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders, supporting our customers and further strengthening Optima bank’s position as one of the fastest-growing and by far the most profitable banks in Greece, based on return on tangible equity.”