Grupo Cibest (CIBEST) Q1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Net income for Q1 2026 was COP 1.5 trillion, down 16% year-over-year due to a one-off wealth tax, but up 178.66% from 4Q25; operational performance remained strong with higher net interest margin and fee income, and digital businesses like Nequi, Wompi, and Wenia expanded.

• Deposits and loan portfolios grew both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, reinforcing a stable, low-cost funding base and robust business momentum.

• Banistmo sale is on track for Q2 close, classified as a discontinued operation, with proceeds allocated to capital instruments and digital investments.

• Shareholders approved a COP 4.3 trillion dividend and a new COP 1.35 trillion share buyback program for 2026, with over 50% of the buyback already executed.

• Digital engagement continued to grow, with 9.4 million active digital customers and 28.7 million Nequi accounts, 23.3 million of which were active.

Financial highlights

• Net income was COP 1.5 trillion (COP 1.8 trillion normalized for wealth tax), up 2.1% sequentially but down 16.1% year-over-year; consolidated ROE at 14.9%-15%, Bancolombia standalone ROE at 19%.

• Net interest income reached COP 5.2 trillion, up 9.2% year-over-year and 7% quarter-over-quarter; NIM expanded to 7.03%.

• Gross loan portfolio grew to COP 262 trillion, up 2.1% quarter-over-quarter and 6.5% year-over-year.

• Deposits closed at COP 272 trillion, up 2.8% quarter-over-quarter and 10.4% year-over-year.

• Fee income rose 11.8% year-over-year; net fee income up 30% (15.3% excluding reclassification), with strong contributions from digital channels.

• Total operating expenses increased 24% year-over-year, mainly due to the wealth tax; efficiency ratio at 54.5%.

Outlook and guidance

• 2026 GDP growth forecast revised to 2.9%; inflation expected at 6.4% for the year; policy rate at 12.75%.

• Loan growth guidance maintained at 7%-8%; NIM guidance raised to 7%-7.2%; cost of risk guidance at 1.6%-1.8%; efficiency ratio around 49%; ROE guidance increased to 19.5%-20%.

• Macroeconomic stabilization is expected in Colombia, but inflation risks remain elevated, with the Central Bank maintaining a contractionary stance.