What happened
On August 28, Bank of Communications released its first-half 2026 results, reporting steady improvement in key operating metrics. Net profit attributable to the parent rose 4.04% year on year to RMB 47.874 billion, while operating revenue grew 6.73% to RMB 142.343 billion.
Net interest income increased 8.62% to RMB 92.592 billion, and the net interest margin edged up 2 basis points to 1.23%. Total assets reached RMB 16.26 trillion, up 4.58% from the end of last year, with customer loans up 4.01% and customer deposits up 6.53%.
The bank announced an interim cash dividend of RMB 14.845 billion, raising the payout ratio to 31%. Risk indicators remained steady: the non-performing loan ratio was 1.30%, the provision coverage ratio was 203.80%, and the core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio was 11.25%. It also moved up to seventh place in The Banker's global bank ranking by Tier 1 capital.
Why it matters
The results show a bank combining growth in scale with improving profitability, as net interest margin stabilizes and the payout ratio rises. The higher interim dividend signals confidence in sustained earnings and capital strength.
BoCom is increasingly tying its strategy to national priorities, including manufacturing, private firms, green finance, digital finance and AI-enabled services. These areas are likely to shape its competitive positioning and long-term value creation.
Key facts
BoCom released its 2026 first-half results on August 28.
Net profit attributable to the parent rose 4.04% year on year to RMB 47.874 billion; operating revenue grew 6.73% to RMB 142.343 billion.
The interim dividend is RMB 14.845 billion, lifting the payout ratio to 31%.
What to watch next
Investors will likely watch whether the net interest margin can continue its upward trend and whether growth in strategic lending areas such as manufacturing and the digital economy remains resilient.
BoCom's 'AI+' plan has already delivered over 420 deployed scenarios, including AI agents for credit, trading and customer operations. The next question is how much these tools improve efficiency, customer experience and risk management at scale.