Banco BPM raises 2026 profit outlook after €581m quarter

Italian bank Banco BPM raised its 2026 profit outlook after reporting second-quarter net profit of 581 million euros, or $670 million.

The quarterly profit was down 17.5 percent from a year earlier. Banco BPM said it now expected to exceed its previous 2026 net profit forecast of 1.95 billion euros, citing higher revenues, improved operational efficiency and lower risk costs.

The bank said the stronger outlook would mean higher returns for shareholders, with its 2026 dividend forecast expected to exceed one euro per share. It said the new forecast put the group ahead of schedule toward its 2027 net profit target of 2.15 billion euros.

Banco BPM said last Friday that its board had decided to end merger discussions with Banca Monte dei Paschi after two months of talks.