Bankinter's Q1 net profit rises 8%, buoyed by loans (updated)

BANKINTER

23/04/2026 07:10

Adds detail on fees in paragraph 3 and on NII from paragraph 4 on

MADRID, April 23 (Reuters) - Spain's Bankinter BKT.MC said on Thursday its first-quarter net profit rose 8% from the same period in 2025 thanks to an increase in fees and loans which was supported by solid economic growth in its home market.

The country's fifth-biggest bank by market value reported a net profit of 291 million euros ($341 million) in the January to March period, above the 283 million euros expected by analysts polled by Reuters.

As banks try to lift non-core banking revenues, Bankinter's net fees and commissions rose 8% year-on-year in the period, though they fell 7% from the previous quarter.

Spanish banks have benefited from higher costs of loans,  although this tailwind had reversed as interest rates had been falling. However, recent geopolitical tensions due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran are triggering a rise in inflation and markets are close to fully pricing in two 25-bp rate hikes by the year's end.

In this context, Bankinter's net interest income - earnings on loans minus deposit costs - rose in the first quarter 5.5% year-on-year to 571 million euros, in line with forecasts.

($1 = 0.8543 euros)

 (Reporting by Jesús Aguado; Editing by David Latona)

 ((jesus.aguado@thomsonreuters.com; +34 91 835 68 32; Reuters Messaging: Reuters Messaging: jesus.aguado.reuters.com@reuters.net))