Hardly introduced on the BRVM, Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire (BBGCI) has published its results for the first half of 2026. This publication, coming the day after its first listing, offers the market a first reading of the Bank's trajectory and illustrates financial communication conducted in continuity with its entry into the stock market.
A growth that changes scale
As of June 30, customer loans reached 823.9 billion FCFA, compared to 645.3 billion a year earlier, representing an increase of 28%. But it is the collection that shows the most marked movement: deposits jumped by 46%, to 1,318.3 billion, after 903.6 billion a year earlier.
The gap between the two trends is significant. Additional resources reached 414.8 billion FCFA, compared to 178.6 billion for loans.
BBGCI is thus strengthening its funding base faster than it is increasing its assets, which gives it additional capacity to support its development.
This expansion is accompanied by an improvement in efficiency. Net Banking Income rose by 25%, to 37.7 billion FCFA, while general expenses increased by only 16%, to 15.2 billion.
The operating ratio thus went from 43.3% to 40.3%. The Bank is therefore managing to grow its revenues without letting its expenses increase at the same pace.
A profitability that is getting ahead
This operational discipline is reflected in the formation of the result. Gross operating profit reached 22.5 billion FCFA, up 31%, while profit before tax rose by 36%, to 18.2 billion.
Net profit stood at 15.2 billion FCFA, compared to 10.4 billion in the first half of 2025, an increase of 46%. Profit thus grew significantly faster than NBI, reflecting a better conversion of growth into profitability.
The cost of risk accompanies this expansion without taking on the same scale. It stood at 4.3 billion FCFA, compared to 3.8 billion a year earlier, an increase of 14%, which is lower than that of loans.
This development helps to preserve the profit dynamic, even if the quality of the portfolio will remain to be monitored as outstanding amounts increase.
The foundations of a regional ambition
The performance of the semester is part of a broader transformation initiated by the Bank. Its 2026-2030 strategy is accompanied by a change in organization, including the creation of an SME Department and an Organization and Operational Excellence Department.
On the ground, BBGCI continues the extension of its network with Riviera Palmeraie, the work undertaken in Bassam, and the preparation of an establishment in Korhogo. The ambition is also taking on a regional dimension with the favorable opinion obtained in May from the Banking Commission for the opening of a branch in Burkina Faso.
For the second half of the year and the years to come, these various projects constitute so many development relays. The expansion of the network, the strengthening of the SME segment, and the operational transformation must support the growth of the domestic market, while the planned establishment in Burkina Faso could open a new front of regional development.
The challenge will now be to evolve this dynamic without losing the efficiency gains recorded in the first half. Cost control, portfolio quality, and the proper execution of the 2026-2030 strategy will thus be decisive for sustaining growth in the long term.
BBGC opens its stock market history
This transformation now finds an extension on the financial market. The public offering for sale covering 20% of the capital, i.e., 10 million shares at a price of 6,750 FCFA, mobilized 67.5 billion FCFA.
It generated a demand of 95.8 billion, with nearly 17,500 investors from 45 countries, bringing the subscription rate to 142%.
On September 24, BBGCI took its first steps on the BRVM under the symbol BBGC. Introduced at 6,750 FCFA, the stock closed at 7,255 FCFA, up 7.48%.
Trading involved 20,926 shares, for a value of 151.8 million FCFA.
Aurélia Ahua
Published on 09/25/26 09:56
The Editorial Staff
