GDANSK (Reuters) -The Polish unit of BNP Paribas reported a second-quarter net profit of 733.8 million zlotys ($200.4 million) on Tuesday, beating a company-provided consensus of 642 million zlotys, mirroring an upbeat release from its French parent in July.
The result was driven by a rise in net interest income and lower administrative costs, which helped offset an increase in credit loss provisions and higher legal costs related to its Swiss franc loan portfolio.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
More than 81% of BNP Paribas Bank Polska’s shares are owned by the French financial group. The largest bank in the euro zone by assets last month forecast a strong rebound in its retail banking division for the second half of 2025, soothing investor concerns with tight cost control and a smaller-than-expected drop in quarterly profit.
CONTEXT
Like other Polish lenders, BNP Paribas Polska continues to face legal costs related to its portfolio of legacy mortgage loans denominated in Swiss francs, which were taken out before a surge in the franc’s value inflated repayments.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Polish bank’s net interest income was 1.47 billion zlotys in the second quarter, against a market forecast of 1.49 billion zlotys. Net fee and commission income was 328.1 million zlotys, compared to the 319 million zlotys expected by analysts.
Allowances for expected credit losses stood at 18.2 million zlotys in the same period.
It booked 249.4 million zlotys in provisions to cover the risk on Swiss franc loans, compared to a 189.8 million last year.
($1 = 3.6613 zlotys)
(Reporting by Julia Kotowska; Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
