The Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE) reported a first-half net profit of CHF 118.6 million for 2026, a 26.2% increase from CHF 94 million in the same period a year earlier, marking a record for the bank.
Operating profit rose 24.7% to CHF 138.3 million, while total operating income grew 12.3% to CHF 310.5 million. The improvement contrasts sharply with the first half of 2025, when net profit fell 18.9% due to margin pressure in the interest business.
Net interest income, BCGE’s largest revenue stream, climbed 10.1% to CHF 181 million, reversing prior-year declines. Commission income increased 11.1% to CHF 85 million, while trading income reached CHF 23 million, up 11.1%. The bank attributed the broad-based growth to stronger demand across all revenue pillars.
Assets under management rose 3.7% to CHF 41.9 billion at mid-year, up from CHF 37.1 billion in June 2025. The bank cited net inflows and positive market performance as key drivers, with strong growth in discretionary mandates, partnerships with independent asset managers and online trading.
Loan book expansion continued, with total customer lending up 2.1% to CHF 21.8 billion from year-end 2025. Mortgages accounted for CHF 15.4 billion of the total, rising 3.1%, while other customer receivables reached CHF 6.4 billion. BCGE serves 258,000 clients, including 23,577 businesses.
Operating expenses increased 3.3% to CHF 156.9 million, outpaced by revenue growth. The cost-to-income ratio improved to 50.5%, while return on equity rose from 8.05% to 9.48%. Headcount increased by 14 full-time equivalents to 972.
Capital ratios remained robust. Equity rose 2.6% to nearly CHF 2.6 billion, while the consolidated common equity tier 1 ratio eased to 16.5%, still well above the 12.7% regulatory minimum. The Tier 1 capital ratio stood at 15.83%.
BCGE’s shares gained ground, trading at CHF 34 at end-June, or about 95% of the book value per share of CHF 35.60, compared with a prior-year discount to intrinsic value.
The bank’s outlook has shifted from cautious to optimistic. In 2025, BCGE had warned of a potential decline in full-year results due to adverse interest rate and macroeconomic conditions. For 2026, it now expects to exceed the prior year’s profit.
