Poland's Alior Bank beats net profit forecasts in fourth quarter

Alior Bank SA

24/02/2026 06:38

GDANSK, Poland, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Polish lender Alior Bank ALRR.WA reported a fourth-quarter net profit of 687.7 million zlotys ($191.9 million) on Tuesday, up around 12% from a year ago and above analysts' forecast, thanks to a one-off tax gain and strong commissions income.

KEY DETAILS

• Net interest income fell 3.6% year-on-year to 1.26 billion zlotys, broadly in line with a market forecast of 1.27 billion zlotys.

• The bank said its interest result was stabilised by growth in volumes and a lower cost of funds, despite a drop in interest rates.

• Like other Polish lenders, Alior's earnings have come under scrutiny in a shifting interest rate environment. The Polish central bank cut rates six times last year by a total of 175 basis points to 4.00%.

• Net fee and commission income rose 8.6% to 240.2 million zlotys, versus a consensus of 228 million zlotys.

• Alior said it meets the criteria of Poland's financial regulator KNF to pay a dividend of up to 50% of its net profit.

• The bank's main shareholder, state-run insurer PZU PZU.WA, is weighing options for the 32% stake it has in Alior, ahead of a planned merger with Bank Pekao PEO.WA.

($1 = 3.5829 zlotys)

(Reporting by Alicja Surdy, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

((AlicjaEwa.Surdy2@thomsonreuters.com;))