Shawbrook reiterates maiden dividend plans as H1 profits, loan book grow

(Sharecast News) - Shawbrook reported double-digit profit and loan-book growth in the first half on Wednesday, as the specialist lender reiterated its plans to pay its maiden ordinary dividend for this year. Underlying pre-tax profit rose 16% year-on-year to £195.5m over the six months ended 30 June, as net operating income increased 15.4% to £387.2m.

The loan book, including originate-to-distribute assets, grew to £20.1bn from £19.2bn at the end of 2025, representing annualised growth of 10%. Customer deposits increased to £18.8bn from £18.4bn.

Shawbrook reiterated its full-year guidance for a loan book of around £21bn, a cost-to-income ratio below 38% and an underlying return on tangible equity of roughly 17%.

The underlying cost-to-income ratio improved to 36.4% from 40% a year earlier, as income significantly outpaced cost growth. Underlying return on tangible equity was broadly stable at 18.1%, compared with 18.3%.

Impairment losses increased to £50.7m from £32.6m, reflecting additional provisions against a small portfolio of legacy development-finance loans. The common equity tier-one ratio strengthened to 13% from 12.4% at year-end.

Chief executive Marcelino Castrillo said the company delivered a "strong first half, with disciplined execution across our specialist markets".

He added: "These results reinforce our confidence in meeting our FY 2026 guidance and paying a maiden ordinary dividend in FY 2027 in respect of FY 2026 earnings."

At 1614 BST, Shawbrook shares were down 1.6% at 329.5p in London.