BSP reports 12.9 percent profit increase

The Bank of the South Pacific Financial Group Limited has delivered a strong financial performance for the year ended 31st December 2025, recording a statutory net profit after tax of K1.17 billion (A$440 million), an increase of 12.9 percent compared to the 2024 financial year.

In a statement, the South Pacific’s largest bank also reported revenue of K3.41 billion (A$1.28 billion), up 14.4 percent, driven primarily by a 9 percent increase in net interest income and a 28.7 percent rise in foreign exchange income.

The Group says net interest margins improved to 6.41 percent, up 19 basis points from the previous year.

BSP achieved a return on equity of 23.8 percent, up 50 basis points, positioning the Group at the upper end of ASX-listed banks.

Operating expenses increased by 15.4 percent, reflecting higher employment costs and continued investment in technology, including its multi-year K1.2 billion Modernising for Growth programme.

The Group highlighted that the cost-to-income ratio stood at 42.9 percent, within its guidance range of 42 to 45 percent.

Provisions to loans remained stable at 3.3 percent, while delinquency rates declined by 10 basis points to 2.7 percent, reflecting what BSP describes as a supportive economic environment and the quality of its loan book.

Capital adequacy improved to 26.4 percent, up 20 basis points, supporting continued growth while maintaining prudent capital levels.

Shareholders will receive a full-year dividend of K1.88 per share (A$0.71), up 13 percent.

The final dividend of K1.38 per share (A$0.57) will be paid on 27th March 2026.

BSP Chairman Robert Bradshaw described the result as strong, highlighting the Group’s 20-year track record of delivering profitability and attractive shareholder returns.

Bradshaw says they entered 2026 with confidence.

He further says the region’s economies are growing faster than many developed markets, supported by resilient communities, entrepreneurial businesses and expanding trade.

Group Chief Executive Officer Mark T. Robinson says the bank delivered broad-based growth in 2025, with earnings, deposits and customer activity increasing across all major markets.

He says the bank accelerated the rollout of its Modernising for Growth programme, with branch upgrades, next-generation infrastructure including new ATMs and EFTPOS terminals, personalised customer propositions and the launch of its Business Bank.

Digital adoption increased by more than 22 percent, with internet banking transactions rising by 54 percent and EFTPOS transactions up 16 percent.

Robinson also highlighted the launch of the Wantok Wallet in February 2025, aimed at improving financial inclusion. By the end of the year, more than 100,000 people had signed up for the service.

BSP operates in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu, serving around three million customers through 124 branches, 596 ATMs and a growing range of digital services.