GCB delivers strong quarter 3 2026 performance; profit rises to GH¢629.11m

GCB Bank PLC delivered another strong quarter, underpinned by robust balance sheet growth and high non-funded income. Total assets expanded by 35% year-on-year to GH¢67.62 billion, supported by 78% year-on-year growth in loans and advances, while deposits rose 34% year-on-year to GH¢50.78 billion, yielding a loan-to-deposit ratio of 51%. The Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 4.8% while the Capital Adequacy Ratio fell to 14.6%. Profit after tax (PAT) grew 39% year-on-year to GH¢629.11 million, above analysts’ estimates, lifting Return on Equity to 25%. Non-funded income rose 64% year-on-year, supporting growth and highlighting the growing contribution of non-interest revenue. However, interest income declined as the average lending rate dropped to 15.94% in August 2026 from 25.15% in August 2025. The rising operating expenses and lower interest rates weighed on the quarterly performance. Operating expenses increased 13% quarter-on-quarter to GH¢938.02 million, outpacing the 1% quarter-on-quarter rise in operating income to GH¢1.97 billion. The operating expenses rose largely due to a 19% quarter-on-quarter increase in personnel expenses, which deteriorated the cost-to-income ratio to 47.7% in quarter 3 2026 from 43% in quarter 2 2026. Loan portfolio drives balance sheet expansion Total assets increased by 35% year-on-year to GH¢67.62 billion, with loans and advances rising 78% year-on-year and 17% quarter-on-quarter to GH¢25.97 billion. Non-pledged trading assets also increased by 83% year-on-year to GH¢3.54 billion, while investment securities grew marginally by 2% year-on-year but declined 8% quarter-on-quarter to GH¢19.8 billion. The quarterly movements indicate a shift in the composition of the bank’s earning assets toward loan book growth and away from investment securities. Loan growth outpaces deposit mobilisation Deposits grew 34% year-on-year but contracted by 1.38% quarter-on-quarter to GH¢50.78 billion. Consequently, the loan-to-deposit ratio rose to 51% in quarter 3, 2026, from 43% in quarter 2 2026 and 39% in quarter 3 2025, reflecting faster loan growth relative to deposit mobilisation. While increased lending supports interest income generation, sustaining this trajectory will depend on the Bank’s ability to mobilise deposits and manage funding costs effectively.