Clientis Group with Dynamic Growth and Solid Results

The financial sector is facing increasing challenges. Digitalisation, technological change, rising cyber risks, and regulatory requirements are particularly increasing cost pressures for smaller banks. Here, the scaling advantages of the Clientis Banking Solutions platform come into play, utilised by a third of Swiss regional banks.

The increase in business expenses was moderate at 2.7%. 'We are specifically investing in modern technologies and efficient processes to position our regional banks successfully and competitively in the future,' says Matthias Liechti, CEO of Clientis AG. With a profit of CHF 60.3 million, the Clientis Group achieved a good result, slightly below the previous year (-5.4%).

Stable revenue base despite challenging market environment

Interest business remained the most important pillar of income for the Clientis banks, accounting for 76% of total success. However, the persistently low interest rate environment led to a declining gross interest margin by five basis points to 1.01%. Consequently, gross interest income decreased by 1.0% to CHF 151.4 million, while net interest income fell by 0.9% to CHF 152.3 million.

The commission and service business developed very positively, increasing by 7.6% to CHF 27.7 million. Due to new funds and the positive stock market development, the portfolio volume rose again significantly by 12.3% to CHF 3.87 billion.

Operating profit (profit from ordinary banking business) rose slightly compared to the previous year by 0.6% to CHF 201.5 million. Business expenses increased by 2.7% to CHF 114.7 million. Operating expenses rose by 2.9% due to investments in digitalisation, additional services, and investments in branches. The increase in full-time positions by 1.4% led to a 2.5% rise in personnel expenses.

Operating result decreased by 5.4% to CHF 70.6 million. The group profit was also 5.4% lower at CHF 60.3 million. The cost/income ratio (ratio of business expenses to operating profit) rose to 56.9% and remains below the defined threshold of 60.0%.

Low-risk credit portfolio

In the core business of mortgage financing, the Clientis banks again recorded pleasing growth. Total customer loans increased by 4.0% to CHF 12.7 billion.

The financing principles remained conservative. Around 98% of loans are secured by collateral or otherwise. Loan loss provisions could be dissolved again.

Excellent financial stability due to equity capital well above requirements

Equity continues to present itself excellently and is convincing also in industry comparison. The traditionally strong equity base was improved by 3.8% to a very strong CHF 1.439 billion (+53 million).

The total capital ratio slightly reduced to 20.5% due to higher capital requirements following the introduction of Basel 3 final. The statutory requirements of 12.6% are still clearly exceeded.

Stable rating of the Clientis Group confirmed

The rating agency Moody's confirmed its ratings for the Clientis banks in December 2025: 'A2' for long-term issuer quality, the highest grade 'P-1' for short-term liabilities, and 'stable' for the outlook. Moody's continues to highlight positively the high equity capital, a high-quality credit portfolio, and a solid financing profile of the Clientis Group.

Targeted investments in digitalisation and cybersecurity

The targeted expansion of digitalisation of our service platform brought noticeable progress in major projects during the reporting year. With the introduction of a modern e-banking and mobile banking solution as well as a process-supporting advisory solution, we strengthen the digital interaction between banks and customers across all contact points. Important steps have also been implemented in the financing business: AI-driven document management HypoDossier increases efficiency and speed in the mortgage business. In the payment transactions, all platform banks rely on the standardised open-banking solution bLink, thereby creating future-proof networking.

Parallel to this, Clientis Banking Solutions continuously strengthens its cyber defence system. Resilience in IT security is increased by not only reacting to threats but proactively searching for potential hotspots. Comprehensive IT reviews in the form of 'attack simulations' are also conducted annually and optimisations are implemented based on these reviews to further strengthen resilience against potential threats. The offer from Clientis Banking Solutions includes a comprehensive package for protection against cyber risks - a key advantage of the platform community.

Continuity in market presence and lived customer proximity

The Clientis banks consistently continued the 'Let's join forces' campaign during the reporting year. It stands for regional anchoring and lived customer proximity. Personal encounters and direct exchange were at the centre - among others, at the general meetings as well as through the regional implementations of the banks. Across various channels, the Clientis banks thus sustainably strengthen trust and closeness to their clients.

Stronger together - Growth strategy with impact

In an environment of increasing regulatory requirements, growing IT complexity, and skill shortages, scaling is becoming increasingly important. With its powerful service platform, Clientis AG - as the service and competence centre of the Clientis Group - offers efficient, secure, and regulatory-compliant solutions for 14 Clientis banks and seven other institutions.

Under the independent market brand 'Clientis Banking Solutions', Clientis AG pursues a clear growth strategy as an outsourcing provider. The modular, standardised service model enables banks to focus on their core business while central services are pooled and efficiently provided. The strategy is showing impact: The platform continues to grow. An additional bank will in the future use standardised services such as the digital workplace, 'Journey to the Cloud' including network as well as compliance services.

Sustainability as lived responsibility

For over 200 years, the Clientis banks have been rooted in their regions and take responsibility for customers and their environment. They stand for long-term relationships, reliability, and trust. At the same time, they are committed to a sustainable future: During the reporting year, they recorded the CO2 footprint of their mortgage portfolio for residential buildings for the first time and accompany their clients in energy renovations. Thus, they contribute to the sustainable development of the financial sector.

Outlook

As a substance-rich group of regional banks, we look to the future with confidence and see ourselves well prepared for future changes. The great trust of our clients and our strong regional anchoring form a solid foundation for this. Against this backdrop, we move confidently through 2026 and continue our shared journey successfully.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Clientis AG