Czech lender Moneta on track to exceed 2025 profit outlook

Moneta Money Bank, A.s

23/10/2025 08:55

PRAGUE, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Czech lender MONETA Money Bank MONET.PR said on Thursday it expects 2025 net profit of at least 6.3 billion crowns ($303 million), exceeding its original outlook after a strong third quarter helped by lower funding costs and rising lending.

The bank reported third-quarter net profit of 1.8 billion crowns, up nearly 18% year-on-year and above a Reuters poll average estimate of 1.7 billion.

Banking income rose 9% year-on-year.

Banks such as MONETA have benefited from falling funding costs compensating for pressure on interest income as interest rates have come down.

The country's sixth biggest lender had said earlier this year it expected  net profit of at least 6 billion crowns, up from 5.8 billion crowns in 2024. In the first nine months of this year, net profit was 4.9 billion crowns.

"We feel comfortable that we will land somewhere in the range that we have indicated, which is 6.3 to 6.4 billion crowns," Chief Executive Tomas Spurny said.

For 2026, the bank was keeping its original net profit guidance of 6.3 billion crowns, he said, adding though that assumptions of lower rates and other factors have changed.

"We will keep 6.3 (billion crowns) for sure... and we will seek as always to inform shareholders if we feel we can overperform," he said, adding he saw opportunities for a better-than-expected outcome.

MONETA proposed earlier this month an extraordinary dividend of 4 crowns per share. Its shares have risen 44% year-to-date to close at 178.80 crowns on Wednesday, outperforming Prague's main index .PX. Shares were up a touch on Thursday, at 179 crowns.

The lender said it had a historically low ratio of non-performing loans and cost of risk was declining amid rising household income and low unemployment.

($1 = 20.8210 Czech crowns)

(Reporting by Jason Hovet)

((jason.hovet@thomsonreuters.com;))