BPER Banca released its first-quarter 2026 results on Thursday, showing steady core operating dynamics despite a quarter affected by a trading loss. The bank said pre-provision income came in roughly 1% below consensus estimates, a shortfall driven mainly by a mark-to-market loss on total return swaps that management expects to recover in April following market repricing.
Revenue and fee performance
Net interest income met consensus and declined 2% quarter-over-quarter. The loan book was flat over the quarter while commercial spreads increased to 3.3% in Q1 from 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2025. Commission income beat consensus by 2%, although it dipped 2% versus the prior quarter. The fee growth was concentrated in market-related areas: wealth management fees were up 8% year-over-year, and bancassurance fees rose 30% from a low base.
Costs, restructuring and operating metrics
Operating expenses were 3% below consensus. For the quarter the bank recorded €25 million in restructuring costs. In addition, BPER noted there remain roughly €75 million of restructuring charges outstanding related to the BPSO acquisition, part of a total restructuring envelope of €400 million.
Asset quality and credit costs
The cost of risk was 26 basis points in Q1, improving from 28 basis points in Q4 and below the 31 basis point consensus estimate. Gross non-performing exposure (NPE) rose slightly to 2.2% from 2.1% in December, while the net NPE ratio increased to 1.1% from 1.0%. The coverage ratio stayed flat at 52.8%. Management reported overlays rose to €180 million from €140 million at the end of December.
Capital position
BPER’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio reached 14.9%, up from 14.8% in December and in line with consensus expectations.
Guidance for 2026
For the full year 2026, the bank guided to net interest income that will be flat to up in the low single digits and commission income rising in the mid-single digits. BPER expects a cost-to-income ratio of 45% and a cost of risk below 40 basis points. The bank indicated it anticipates a CET1 ratio of 14.5% after accounting for a €750 million share buyback, an action the company estimates will reduce capital by approximately 90 basis points.
This report presents the company-reported figures for the quarter and the guidance provided by management. Where management cites expectations for recovery of mark-to-market trading losses or the capital impact of the buyback, those are the bank’s stated positions.