Aldermore Reports Resilient H1 2026 Profit and Strong Capital Amid Margin Pressures

Aldermore H1 2026 results: resilient profit, tighter margins, and capital to spare

Aldermore’s interim numbers for the six months to 31 December 2025 show a steady ship in choppy waters. Statutory profit before tax came in at £102.8m, helped by resilient income and tight cost control, even as margins were squeezed by deposit competition and lower rates. Credit quality remains solid, capital is robust, and customer growth is ticking along.

There is, however, a clear tension: net interest margin has stepped down, and impairments have normalised upward. The motor finance commission issue hangs over the sector, with Aldermore’s £73.1m provision unchanged while the FCA finishes its consultation.

Revenue, margin, and profit: what moved the dial

Net interest income was £299.1m, broadly flat year-on-year (H1 2025: £297.1m) and fractionally below the prior half (H2 2025: £300.8m). The bank is still growing, but it is being made to work for it: the net interest margin (the spread earned on lending after funding costs) fell to 3.51% from 3.81% a year ago and 3.76% in H2 2025.

Total income dipped to £294.6m, partly because “other operating income” swung to a £4.5m loss, driven by breakage costs from redeeming a £100m Tier 2 note to FirstRand following Aldermore’s own £300m Tier 2 issuance on 1 October 2025. Despite that headwind, profit before tax rose to £102.8m, up 39% versus H2 2025, though down 14% on H1 2025.

Costs held in check, impairments back to normal

Operating expenses were £166.1m, broadly flat year-on-year (H1 2025: £165.2m) and well below H2 2025 (£225.9m), which included the additional motor commission provision. That cost discipline kept the cost/income ratio to 56.4% (H1 2025: 55.8%).

Impairment losses increased to £25.7m (H1 2025: £11.2m), reflecting a softer macroeconomic outlook and the non-repeat of prior model-related releases. Even so, the underlying picture improved: total arrears fell to 3.73% from 4.44% in December 2024, and cost of risk landed at 30bps – the lower end of Aldermore’s through-the-cycle range.

Balance sheet growth: lending and deposits both up

Customer lending balances rose 3% since June 2025 to £17,179m (up 9% versus December 2024). Growth was led by the Property division, with momentum in specialist buy-to-let and better affordability criteria in owner-occupied mortgages. Motor Finance advances also increased, helped by improved auto-decisioning.

Customer deposits were up 4% to £17,671m since June 2025 (6% year-on-year), supported by solid performance in Corporate Deposits and Personal Savings and a broader product range. This growth comes at a price: deposit competition is pressuring margins – a theme to watch if rates continue to drift down.

Capital and liquidity: CET1 15.5% and ample total capital

The Core Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio rose to 15.5% from 14.9% in June 2025, comfortably above the 13%-14% medium-term target. The new £300m Tier 2 drove the total capital ratio to 19.6% (June 2025: 17.3%). Liquidity remains strong with an average Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) of 185%, although that is lower than June 2025 (203%) and December 2024 (228%) after the final £465m TFSME repayments and funding optimisation.

In plain English: Aldermore is well capitalised and liquid. The LCR decline is intentional rather than a stress signal, and the bank still sits well above regulatory minima.

FCA motor finance commissions: £73.1m provision unchanged

The provision for historical motor finance commissions remains at £73.1m. Aldermore has responded to the FCA’s October 2025 consultation on an industry-wide approach and will reassess the provision only once the final outcome is published – expected by the end of March 2026.

Management acknowledges outcomes could be higher than the provision in some scenarios. The good news is that capital is currently in excess of the 13%-14% CET1 target, providing a buffer for uncertainty.

CEO’s stance and strategic pulse

CEO Raj Makanjee highlights “targeted balance sheet growth” despite margin pressure from falling rates and competition. Income held up, asset quality met expectations, and the bank kept investing while keeping costs broadly flat. That balance of growth, prudence, and efficiency is evident in the numbers.

Why this update matters for investors

• Resilience with caveats: Profit before tax of £102.8m and a 56.4% cost/income ratio show a disciplined core. The net interest margin decline to 3.51% is the key negative, reflecting tougher deposit pricing and rate dynamics.
• Credit quality supportive: Cost of risk at 30bps and falling arrears to 3.73% suggest customers are coping better as cost-of-living pressures ease, helped by stronger collections.
• Capital strength buys time: A 15.5% CET1 and 19.6% total capital ratio give management optionality – to absorb shocks, grow selectively, and navigate the FCA outcome.
• Liquidity deliberately moderated: LCR at 185% after TFSME repayment looks comfortable and more “right-sized” for the funding mix.
• Regulatory overhang remains: The motor commission provision is unchanged at £73.1m, but the consultation outcome could move that number. Clarity by end-March 2026 is the next big milestone.

Key figures at a glance

My take: balanced progress, with three things to watch

1. Margin trajectory: Deposit competition and lower rates are biting, as seen in the 30bp year-on-year NIM drop. Further compression would dull earnings momentum unless offset by mix shift or fee income recovery (the latter was dragged by Tier 2 breakage costs this half).
2. Impairments vs. arrears: Cost of risk at 30bps is acceptable and arrears have fallen. If the macro backdrop worsens, forward-looking provisions could stay elevated even with stable underlying behaviour.
3. FCA outcome: The £73.1m provision could be revised once the consultation concludes. The timing signals we’ll get clarity soon; until then, expect some uncertainty priced into expectations.

Bottom line: steady operational delivery with capital-led resilience

Aldermore is doing the basics well: grow prudently, price competitively, keep costs tight, and maintain strong capital and liquidity. Profit is respectable and the balance sheet is stronger after the £300m Tier 2 issuance, even factoring in the LCR step-down post-TFSME.

The negatives are manageable but real – lower margin, higher impairment, and the motor commission overhang. If management can sustain growth in Property and Motor while holding credit quality where it is, the franchise looks set to generate “improving, sustainable, and attractive risk-adjusted returns” just as the CEO suggests.

For now, I’d call this a solid, slightly cautious print with the big regulatory reveal still to come.