Commerzbank Raises 2025 Targets After Record First-Half Performance

Commerzbank (ETR:CBK) reported its strongest ever operating result for the first half of 2025, prompting the German lender to raise its full-year targets. 

Despite its upbeat results, shares were down slightly by 0.2% on Wednesday morning.

The bank posted a 23% rise in operating profit to €2.4 billion in H1, with second-quarter profit jumping 34% to €1.2 billion. 

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Net profit for the half-year remained steady at €1.3 billion, despite incurring €534 million in restructuring costs related to its ongoing transformation program.

Revenues rose 13% to €6.1 billion in H1 and 13% to €3 billion in Q2, buoyed by a strong performance in net commission income, which grew 8% to €2 billionn. 

Net interest income remained stable at €4.1 billion despite lower benchmark rates. The cost-income ratio improved to 56%, bettering the bank’s full-year target of 57%.

Commerzbank now expects a 2025 net result of around €2.5 billion after restructuring costs, up from €2.4 billion. Net interest income is forecast to hit €8 billion, with additional gains from fair value adjustments. 

It also confirmed plans to return 100% of pre-restructuring profit to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks.

CEO Bettina Orlopp called the results “the best operating result in Commerzbank’s history”, adding that the “Momentum” strategy is delivering value to shareholders, customers and staff.

Looking ahead, the bank stated that it will continue to execute cost controls while expanding its digital and international operations. Its CET1 ratio stood at a strong 14.6%, and the bank has applied for a new share buyback programme of up to €1 billion.