Commerzbank reported net profit of €859 million for the third quarter of 2026, up 45% from a year earlier but slightly below the €864 million average forecast by analysts. The bank said earnings for the first nine months reached a record €2.7 billion, 41% higher than in the same period last year.
The lender maintained its full-year net profit target of at least €3.4 billion, compared with its previous record of €2.6 billion in 2025. It also retained its goal of reaching €5.9 billion in net profit by 2030. However, Commerzbank cut its 2026 forecast for net interest income from €8.6 billion to €8.5 billion.
The bank attributed the adjustment to increased competition for deposits. Its net interest income rose 3.5% year on year in the third quarter, but was up only 0.7% over the first nine months, to €6.2 billion. The article cites new savings offers from Chase, J.P. Morgan’s banking app in Germany, as well as competition from Crédit Agricole and BBVA.
Commerzbank chief executive Bettina Orlopp said the bank’s performance demonstrated its potential. On UniCredit, which owns more than 30% of Commerzbank’s shares, Orlopp said the two banks could create value by making use of their respective strengths. The article said further regulatory approvals for UniCredit’s planned move were expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
For the first nine months, revenue reached €9.7 billion, 7.6% higher than a year earlier. Provisions for loan losses totalled €554 million, compared with €515 million in the same period of 2025, while the share of non-performing loans increased from 1.1% to 1.2%.
The report also said a combination with UniCredit could affect Commerzbank’s international corporate business, particularly in the United States and Asia, where the banks have different strategies. UniCredit has focused on Central and Eastern Europe, while Commerzbank’s foreign operations were described as potentially subject to cuts if the two lenders combine.
Sources: FAZ.