Commerzbank has lowered its full-year interest income forecast to approximately 8.5 billion euros, down from a previous estimate of 8.6 billion euros, citing intensified competition for deposits. Despite the revised outlook, the bank confirmed its target for a net profit of at least 3.4 billion euros for 2026.
Record quarterly profits meet cautious interest outlook
The bank reported a net profit of 859 million euros for the third quarter of 2026, representing a 45 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to Ad Hoc News. This performance brought the net profit for the first nine months of the year to 2.669 billion euros, up 41 percent from the previous year. Operating results for the third quarter also rose by 25 percent to 1.312 billion euros, Wallstreet Online reported, according to wallstreetONLINE.
While the bank met market expectations for earnings, its stock faced pressure following the adjusted interest income guidance. Boerse Express noted that the stock reacted with a 4.7 percent decline, as the downward revision of the interest margin overshadowed the strong quarterly results. At the close of XETRA, the Commerzbank share lost 2.81 percent, ending at 38.73 euros, according to finanzen.at.
The bank attributed the lowered interest forecast to a stronger competition for deposits, Finanzen reported. Commerzbank Chief Financial Officer Carsten Schmitt told Handelsblatt that certain competitors are currently offering very high interest rates on new call money (Tagesgeld) accounts, and the bank has deliberately chosen not to match these promotional offers in full.
Bank revenue grows through commission and securities business
The following table summarizes the bank’s financial results for the third quarter of 2026 and its nine-month performance for the year:
| Metric | Q3 2026 | First 9 Months 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Net Profit | 859 million euros | 2.669 billion euros |
| Operating Result | 1.312 billion euros | 4.04 billion euros |
| Total Revenue | 3.199 billion euros | 9.72 billion euros |
The bank’s revenue growth was supported by a 9 percent increase in the commission business, which reached 1.072 billion euros in the third quarter, Ad Hoc News reported. This growth was driven primarily by securities business with private customers. Total revenues for the first nine months reached 9.72 billion euros, up from 7.6 percent growth over the previous period. The interest income surplus for the first nine months stood at 6.22 billion euros, while the bank maintains a target for total annual revenues of approximately 13.2 billion euros.
The bank’s efficiency improved, with the cost-income ratio reaching 52.8 percent, compared to 56.2 percent in the prior year period. Despite the lower interest income forecast, the bank confirmed its annual profit target of at least 3.4 billion euros and its revenue expectations of approximately 13.2 billion euros, according to Handelsblatt.