CEO STATEMENT
We are in a challenging period of uncertainty, macro-economic changes and geopolitical risks. The bank is operating against this background and is demonstrating financial stability and double-digit growth in credit and in customers' assets.
The financial statements summarize the first nine months of the year 2026, of a growing and solid bank with stable equity and high quality assets, with a dividend distribution to the investors and with one of the highest yields in the banking system. This growth has been possible thanks to our ambition to maintain a high level of service orientation and professionalism, to continue to be a leading bank in the capital market field and in money management, and to concentrate renewal on investment products offering value to a range of types of customers and by adopting AI capabilities
Financial Highlights
Net income of NIS 1,571 million in the first nine months of 2026, with a Return on Equity (ROE) of 14.3%. ROE excluding the special tax levy reached 15.9%.
Net income of NIS 508 million in the third quarter of 2026, with ROE reaching 13.8%. ROE after eliminating the special tax levy is 15.3%.
Credit to the public increased by 21.9% compared to the comparative period in the previous year and by 5% compared to the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Customers' assets portfolios grew by 16.9% compared to the comparative period in the previous year and amounted to NIS 1.26 trillion.
Equity attributed to shareholders in the Bank amounted to NIS 14.5 billion.
The tier 1 shareholders' equity ratio is 10.28%
The Bank's Board of Directors has decided to distribute a dividend in an amount of NIS 254 million, constituting 50% of the net income for the third quarter of 2026.The dividend yield is 7.3%
The First International Bank Group's net income amounted to NIS 1,571 million in the first nine months of 2026, compared to NIS 1,748 million in the comparative period during the previous year, a decrease of 10.1%. ROE reached 14.3% during this period. ROE, excluding the special tax levy imposed on the bank during this period, reached 15.9%.
The First International Bank Group's net income amounted to NIS 508 million in the third quarter of 2026, compared to NIS 581 million during the comparative quarter in the previous year, a decrease of 12.6%. ROE reached 13.8% in the quarter. ROE, excluding the special tax levy imposed on the bank in 2026, reached 15.3% in the quarter.
Credit to the public amounted to NIS 172.4 billion, an increase of 21.9% compared to the comparative period in the previous year and an increase of 5.0% compared to the second quarter of 2026. The increase in credit derived from credit for financial services.
Deposits by the public amounted to approximately NIS 243.8 billion, an increase of 4.6% compared to the comparative period in the previous year. The amount of the customers' assets portfolio grew by 16.9% compared to the comparative period in the previous year and amounted to approximately NIS 1.26 trillion.
Despite the growth in activity and the increase in revenues, macro factors, such as the index, interest rates and exchange rates, have led to a decrease in total net revenues, which amounted to NIS 5,085 million in the first nine months of 2026, a decrease of 4.7% compared to the comparative period in the previous year.
Income from commissions increased by 6.1% in the first nine months of the year compared to the comparative period in the previous year and amounted to NIS 1,400 million.
A high-quality credit portfolio - there has been a decrease of 23.6% in the credit risk compared with the comparative period in the previous year. The NPL ratio (the balance of non-accruing debts or debts that are in arrears of 90 days or more to the balance of the credit to the public) has improved and has reached 0.37%, compared to 0.46% at the end of the year 2025.
The equity attributed to shareholders in the Bank amounted to NIS 14.5 billion. The Tier 1 shareholders' equity ratio stands at 10.28%, a gap of 1% above the required regulatory equity, enabling continuing growth in the Group's operations.
The operating and other expenses amounted to NIS 2,431 million in the first nine months of the year, compared to NIS 2,383 million in the comparative period in the previous year, an increase of 2.0%, which derived for the most part from an increase in other expenses, primarily commission expenses in respect of the expansion of activity in the capital market against an increase in revenues. The efficiency ratio stands at 47.8% in the first nine months of 2026 and at 48.1% in the third quarter of 2026.
The Bank's Board of Directors has decided to approve the distribution of a cash dividend in an amount of NIS 254 million to the shareholders, representing a rate of 50% of the net income in the quarter. The dividend yield stands at 7.3% as at September 30, 2026.
Eli Cohen, CEO
