BBVA, one of Europe's leading financial institutions, has presented its business figures for the first half of 2026. The bank reported a net profit of EUR 6.05 billion, an increase of 11.1 per cent compared to the same period last year. This result marks a historic high for the company, surpassing the EUR 6 billion mark in a half-year report for the first time.
The reasons for this positive development are primarily to be found in stable recurring revenues and significant growth in lending volume. BBVA's loan portfolio expanded by 17.7 per cent year-on-year. This underscores robust demand for financing and effective business operations by the bank in its core markets. Onur Genç, Chief Executive Officer of BBVA, emphasised that the loan portfolio has grown by almost 60 per cent since the end of 2020, which, according to BBVA, makes it the fastest-growing bank in Europe.
Strategic Capital Measures and Profitability
In addition to its operational successes, BBVA announced a new, extraordinary share buyback programme. This programme is endowed with a total volume of EUR 2 billion, with the first tranche of EUR 1 billion already initiated on 5 August 2026. Such measures serve to strengthen shareholder value and signal confidence in the bank's own financial strength.
The bank's profitability, measured by the ROTE (Return on Tangible Equity) indicator, reached a peak of 22.2 per cent. This demonstrates the efficiency of capital deployment. BBVA's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at a solid 12.90 per cent at the end of the first half of 2026, an indicator of its robust capitalisation and the bank's ability to absorb unforeseen losses. These key figures are significant for the entire financial market, as they influence the capacity for lending and, indirectly, the framework conditions for real estate financing.
For the real estate sector, BBVA's financial strength means potentially increased liquidity and a willingness to provide loans for project developments and acquisitions. The bank's expansive lending policy can play an important role in stabilising the market, particularly in an environment of rising interest rates, by providing a reliable source of financing and thus promoting investment activities. This development should be closely monitored by market participants.
