Big bank posts huge $10b profit, sees economic recovery
Commonwealth Bank has lifted its annual profit to $10 billion, attributing its success to a boost in lending volumes and renewed confidence in the economy.
Younger Australians are rebuilding their savings as easing inflationary pressures and tax cuts boost confidence, the nation’s biggest supplier of home loans says.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia has posted an annual profit of just over $10 billion, saying the economy is at a key juncture after four years of cost-of-living struggles.
“While we recognise many are still finding the context challenging, there is some positive momentum,” CEO Matt Comyn said in a video accompanying the results on Wednesday.
CBA became the first of the big four banks to pass on a reduction in borrowing rates on Tuesday, after the Reserve Bank of Australia eased monetary policy for the third time this year.
The central bank cut the cash interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.60 per cent, raising hopes that there will be more cuts in the months ahead.
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“Economic growth remains below trend but is recovering,” Comyn said.
“Inflation is back within the target band and what we expect to be a modest rate-cutting cycle is underway.”
However, even though consumer confidence has improved and disposable income has risen, household budgets remain stretched.
As well, the world economy remains unpredictable and volatile in the wake of high tariffs on goods sent to the US from countries like Australia.
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CBA posted an underlying cash profit of $10.3 billion for 2024/25, up four per cent on the previous financial year.
The bottom line result was broadly in line, at $10.1 billion to reflect an eight per cent improvement.
The boosted profit was driven by lending volume growth, a stable underlying net interest margin, which is the money banks make from their lending activities.
CBA also reported a stabilisation in home loan arrears, with 85 per cent of customers now ahead of their scheduled repayments.
The bank still provided 139,000 tailored payment arrangements to help customers manage their mortgages and consumer finance repayments over the year.
The bank’s operating expenses weighed in at $12.9 billion in the year to June 30, equating to a rise of six per cent.
Higher operating costs were driven by inflation and a $900 million technology investment to fight scams and fraud activity.
CBA is now sending ten times more alerts warning customers about suspicious transactions through its banking app.
At the same time, its NameCheck technology has stopped $880 million worth of scam payments and is using nation-leading artificial intelligence bots to confront scammers on voice calls and WhatsApp chats.
CBA will pay a $2.60 final dividend, taking its total payout for the year to $4.85 per share, up four per cent from a year ago.
CBA shares ended at $178.80 at the close of trading on Tuesday.
