Bank Leumi reported second-quarter 2026 net income of NIS 2.8 billion ($940 million), up 8.5% from a year earlier, and said total capital return for the quarter reached about NIS 1.4 billion ($470 million) through a cash dividend and share buyback. Excluding the special tax imposed on banks, net income for the quarter was NIS 3.1 billion ($1 billion). First-half net income totaled NIS 5.2 billion ($1.7 billion), which the bank said places performance at the upper end of its 2026 strategic target of NIS 9 billion to NIS 11 billion in annual net income. Return on equity came in at 16.3% in Q2, versus 16.2% a year earlier, while the efficiency ratio improved to 24.7% from 29.1% in the previous quarter. The bank said the ratio remains the best in Israel and cited continued execution of its technology leadership and AI (artificial intelligence) strategy. Loan growth stayed strong, with the credit portfolio up 3.4% in the quarter and 9% since the start of the year, led by a 14% rise in corporate credit, 6.5% growth in commercial credit and 4.1% growth in mortgages. Asset quality indicators remained solid, with a non-performing loan ratio of 0.45% and a loan loss expense ratio of 0.20% in Q2 and 0.17% in the first half. Leumi said this was the tenth consecutive quarter in which all provisions were collective, while the specific provision recorded income. Deposits by the public rose 3.4% to NIS 719 billion ($241 billion). As of June 30, 2026, the CET1 (core bank capital measure) ratio stood at 11.65%, the total capital ratio was 14.43% and the liquidity coverage ratio was 122%.