GCB Bank PLC recorded a strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, supported by higher interest earnings, increased fee income, stronger trading revenue and a significant expansion in customer lending.

The bank posted a profit after tax of GH¢1.23 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a 46.4% increase from the GH¢843.21 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

At the group level, profit after tax increased to GH¢1.22 billion, compared with GH¢838.65 million a year earlier.

Profit before tax for the bank also rose by 45.8%, from GH¢1.31 billion in the first half of 2025 to GH¢1.90 billion in 2026.

Operating income climbs above GH¢3.7 billion

GCB Bank’s operating income increased by 36.1% to GH¢3.73 billion, up from GH¢2.74 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.

Interest income increased modestly by 4.1% to GH¢2.91 billion. However, interest expenses declined sharply from GH¢794.12 million to GH¢564.69 million.

The reduction in funding costs helped net interest income rise by 17.3% to GH¢2.34 billion, compared with GH¢2.00 billion in the previous year.

Interest earned from loans and advances increased to GH¢1.59 billion, from GH¢1.13 billion. Income from investment securities, however, declined from GH¢1.44 billion to GH¢1.20 billion.

Fee and commission income nearly doubles

Net fee and commission income almost doubled during the period, rising by 98% from GH¢332.68 million to GH¢658.72 million.

Gross fee and commission income increased to GH¢829.98 million, driven largely by processing and facility fees and other banking charges.

Processing and facility fees rose from GH¢78.16 million to GH¢240.22 million, while other fees and commissions increased from GH¢316.29 million to GH¢491.17 million.

Net trading income also recorded strong growth, increasing by 76.8% to GH¢701.87 million.

Of this amount, GH¢446.13 million came from fixed-income trading, while foreign-exchange trading generated GH¢255.74 million.

Loans more than double

GCB Bank significantly expanded its loan book during the period.

Net loans and advances to customers increased by 105.3%, from GH¢10.46 billion in June 2025 to GH¢21.46 billion in June 2026.

Gross loans and advances reached GH¢22.69 billion, consisting mainly of GH¢21.54 billion in term loans and GH¢1.14 billion in overdrafts.

The rapid growth in lending contributed to a rise in impairment charges. Net impairment losses increased from GH¢82.48 million to GH¢197.52 million, representing an increase of about 139.5%.

Despite the higher impairment charge, the bank reported a major improvement in its overall non-performing loan ratio.

The ratio declined from 13.8% in June 2025 to 4.7% in June 2026. However, the non-performing loan ratio excluding the loss category increased from 1.3% to 2.4%.

Customer deposits cross GH¢51 billion

Customer deposits grew by 48.8% to GH¢51.18 billion, compared with GH¢34.40 billion in June 2025.

Current account deposits remained the largest component at GH¢29.09 billion. Savings deposits stood at GH¢18.82 billion, while fixed or time deposits amounted to GH¢3.27 billion.

Borrowings also increased from GH¢4.65 billion to GH¢7.22 billion, while deposits from banks and other financial institutions rose to GH¢310.64 million.

The bank’s cash and cash equivalents increased by 36.7% to GH¢17.66 billion.

Total assets rise to GH¢67.43 billion

GCB Bank’s total assets expanded by 48.4%, rising from GH¢45.45 billion in June 2025 to GH¢67.43 billion in June 2026.

Investment securities increased to GH¢21.44 billion. The portfolio included GH¢4.51 billion in Bank of Ghana bills, GH¢7.00 billion in Treasury bills and GH¢11.29 billion in government bonds before impairment provisions.

Total liabilities increased to GH¢60.41 billion, mainly due to the growth in customer deposits and borrowings.

Shareholders’ equity rose by 42.9% to GH¢7.02 billion, from GH¢4.91 billion a year earlier.

Retained earnings increased to GH¢5.37 billion, while the bank’s stated capital remained unchanged at GH¢500 million.

Earnings per share improves

Basic and diluted earnings per share increased from GH¢6.36 in the first half of 2025 to GH¢11.18 in the first half of 2026.

The bank also paid dividends of GH¢265 million during the six-month period.

Net cash generated from operating activities rose sharply to GH¢8.93 billion, compared with GH¢2.89 billion in the same period of 2025.

Capital ratios decline despite earnings growth

Although GCB Bank recorded strong growth in profit, assets and customer lending, some of its regulatory capital and liquidity ratios declined.

The capital adequacy ratio fell from 20.0% to 15.9%, while the common equity tier-one ratio declined from 17.0% to 13.9%.

The leverage ratio also eased from 7.1% to 6.8%, while the liquid ratio declined from 76.3% to 69.8%.

The bank reported no statutory liquidity breaches during the period. However, it recorded other regulatory sanctions amounting to GH¢486,000.

Overall, GCB Bank’s first-half results show strong growth in profitability, lending, deposits and operating cash flow. The sharp reduction in the reported non-performing loan ratio is also positive, although investors may continue to monitor the bank’s declining capital ratios, rising impairment charges and rapid loan-book expansion.