Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, a French banking group based in Brest, reported a net profit of €450 million for 2025, a 13.8% increase compared to the previous year. The results, announced on , demonstrate resilience in a challenging economic environment marked by a 26% rise in bankruptcies within the viticulture sector in its market, according to the bank.
The mutual bank saw an 11% increase in revenues, reaching €2.4 billion, while successfully managing costs and expanding its online banking, life insurance, and asset management businesses. A record €6.4 billion in gross life insurance savings (through Suravenir) was collected, highlighting strong customer confidence and the appeal of its financial products.
“The national context of rising business failures and a prudent outlook on the economic environment significantly increased the cost of risk (€237 million) due to difficulties encountered by certain economic sectors such as small businesses, restaurants, real estate, social services, and agriculture,” explained Julien Carmona, Chairman of Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne, during the presentation of the annual results.
Despite the increased cost of risk, Carmona emphasized the bank’s continued profitability and the relevance of its mid-sized banking model. “Crédit Mutuel Arkéa confirms its profitability trajectory and the relevance of its mid-sized banking model. The group is on a sustainable growth path, consistent with its ‘Faire 2030’ strategic plan and the ambitions of its mission-driven status,” he added.
Customer numbers reached a historic high of 5.64 million at the end of , a growth of 259,000 customers. This growth was particularly strong in online banking, with 237,000 new clients for Fortuneo and Keytrade Bank (Belgium). The local branches of Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne and Crédit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest also contributed, adding 28,000 new customers.
The bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 65.2%, a decrease of 3.6 percentage points compared to 2024, demonstrating improved operational efficiency. Operating expenses grew by a contained 5.2% to €1.58 billion, contributing to the overall positive financial performance. This improvement in efficiency comes as the bank continues to implement an operational efficiency program launched over a year ago.
Crédit Mutuel Arkéa’s financial strength is further underscored by a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 17.9%, placing it among the highest in Europe. This robust capital position provides a solid foundation for future growth and allows the bank to navigate economic uncertainties effectively.
The results come amid a broader trend of increasing corporate insolvencies, prompting a cautious approach to the economic outlook. The bank’s increased cost of risk reflects this environment, but its overall performance suggests a successful strategy of balancing risk management with growth initiatives.
The bank’s “Faire 2030” strategic plan, launched in January 2025, focuses on ambitious growth and transformation goals. The plan emphasizes supporting the real economy, sustainable regional development, and solidarity initiatives, aligning with the bank’s status as a mission-driven institution. The bank discontinued its corporate and investment banking activities in 2008, focusing instead on financing the real economy in France.
The first half of 2025 also saw strong results, with a net attributable profit of €196 million, a 17% increase compared to the first half of 2024. This increase occurred despite a rise in the tax rate from 20% to 29%, partially due to a corporate tax surcharge. Revenue for the first half of the year grew by 10% to €1.148 billion.
Crédit Mutuel Arkéa’s performance highlights the resilience of the French banking sector and the effectiveness of its diversified business model. The bank’s focus on customer growth, cost management, and strategic initiatives positions it for continued success in a dynamic economic landscape.
