Bankinter first-half profit hits record 605 million euros as fees jump 16% and AI lifts activity volumes

Bankinter closed the first half of 2026 with a net profit of 605 million euros, an increase of 11.7% (12% in some reports) from the same period a year earlier. The result marks a new record for the Spanish bank, which credited higher business volumes, diversified income streams and tight cost control. The second quarter alone delivered 315 million euros, up 16% year-on-year and 8% on the preceding quarter.

The Bankinter Group closes the first half of the year with solid results, supported by growth in client business volumes, diversification of income sources and strict cost discipline.

Revenue drivers

Net interest income reached 1,160 million euros, a rise of roughly 5%, while net fee income jumped 16% to 440 million euros. Total commissions collected were 548 million euros, up 15.5%, with asset management, securities brokerage, custody and transactional banking all contributing. Gross income, which captures all revenues, climbed 7.3% to 1,602 million euros. Pre-tax profit stood at 853 million euros, 11.4% higher than a year ago.

AI and efficiency

Bankinter said generative AI is already delivering scale benefits. Activity volumes are 55% higher than in December 2020, while the branch network has stayed flat and headcount has grown only 9%. The bank has rolled out AI copilots and licences for all employees this year, and plans to launch an agent gallery in the second half under what it calls its "IA First" strategy. Operating costs rose 2.7% to 550.6 million euros, helping push the efficiency ratio down to 34.3% from 36.1% a year earlier.

Mortgage and lending

Group mortgage production totalled 2.9 billion euros in the half, a decline of 16% (one report put the drop at 34%). Bankinter has deliberately stayed out of the mortgage price war, keeping its offer rates higher. The overall mortgage book still grew 3% to 39 billion euros. Lending production across the group rose 4.6%, and off-balance-sheet business expanded 20.3%. Client business volumes increased 8% to 249 billion euros, with the Spanish credit portfolio reaching 70.5 billion euros.

Capital and asset quality

Return on tangible equity (ROTE) remained above 20% at 20.4%, up from 19.4% a year earlier, while return on equity (ROE) was 19.1%. The CET1 capital ratio improved by 33 basis points to 12.91%, comfortably above the ECB's minimum requirement of 8.58%. The non-performing loan ratio fell to 1.92%, 22 basis points lower than a year ago, with a coverage ratio of 69.2%.

Spain and outlook

Bankinter Spain posted a pre-tax profit of 716 million euros, up 11%, with business volumes rising 7%. CEO Gloria Ortiz described the results as solid and sustainable, pointing to commercial momentum across all geographies and activities. The bank expects the second half to bring further AI-driven productivity gains as the agent gallery goes live.