Financial Performance - For the half year ended 30 June 2024, the profit attributable to owners of the parent was HK2,111million,adecreaseof202,636 million for the same period in 2023[5]. - The operating profit before impairment losses for the same period was HK5,671million,slightlydownfromHK5,688 million in 2023[5]. - Basic earnings per share decreased to HK0.69fromHK0.87 in the previous year, reflecting a decline of approximately 20.7%[10]. - Net profit for the first half of 2024 was HK2,121million,adecreaseof19.62,638 million in the same period of 2023[11]. - Total comprehensive income for the first half of 2024 was HK1,969million,slightlyupfromHK1,901 million in the first half of 2023[11]. Income and Expenses - The net interest income for the six months ended 30 June 2024 was HK8,228million,comparedtoHK8,045 million in the same period last year, indicating a growth of 2.3%[9]. - The cost-to-income ratio increased to 45.9% from 44.7% in the previous year, suggesting a rise in operating expenses relative to income[5]. - Operating expenses totaled HK4,813million,anincreasefromHK4,588 million in the previous year, representing a rise of 4.9%[37]. - Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was HK20,379million,upfromHK18,856 million in the same period of 2023, reflecting a growth of 8.0%[29]. - Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was HK12,151million,comparedtoHK10,811 million in the same period of 2023, an increase of 12.4%[32]. Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of 30 June 2024 were HK875,217million,anincreasefromHK872,069 million at the end of June 2023[6]. - Total liabilities as of June 30, 2024, were HK752,035million,reflectingaslightincreasefrompreviousperiods[91].−TotalloansandadvancestocustomersandtradebillsincreasedtoHK536,979 million, up from HK533,077millionin2023[6].−TotalcashandcashequivalentsatJune30,2024,wereHK83,764 million, a decrease from HK98,866millionattheendofJune2023,reflectingadeclineof15.339,988 million as of June 30, 2024, down from HK45,903millionattheendof2023[39].LoansandAdvances−Theimpairedloanratiowas2.62535,310 million, with impairment allowances of HK4,917million,comparedtoHK532,111 million and HK5,127millionrespectivelyattheendof2023[45].−ThetotalimpairedadvancestocustomerswereHK14,016 million, with specific provisions of HK3,791millionasofJune30,2024[59].−ThetotalgrosscarryingamountofloansandadvancestocustomersisHK532,111 million, with impairment allowances of HK5,127million[130].−ThecreditqualityanalysisshowsthatHK9,796 million is classified as Special Mention, indicating potential credit risk[130]. Dividends and Shareholder Returns - The interim dividend declared was HK0.31pershare,downfromHK0.36 per share in the previous year, reflecting a decrease of 13.9%[5]. - Proposed dividends increased to HK817millionfromHK477 million, reflecting a positive outlook for shareholder returns[95]. Capital and Liquidity - Common Equity Tier 1 capital increased to HK84,351millionasofJune30,2024,fromHK83,590 million at the end of 2023, reflecting a growth of 0.9%[194]. - Total capital rose to HK112,224millionasofJune30,2024,comparedtoHK106,362 million at the end of 2023, marking an increase of 5.2%[194]. - The liquidity coverage ratio for the second quarter of 2024 improved to 271.0%, up from 208.9% in the second quarter of 2023[199]. - The leverage ratio remained stable at 10.3% for both June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023[198]. - The total capital ratio improved to 22.8% as of June 30, 2024, compared to 22.0% at the end of 2023[194]. Impairment and Provisions - Impairment losses on financial instruments increased to HK2,881million,comparedtoHK2,492 million in the prior year, indicating a rise of 15.6%[37]. - The impairment allowance for loans and advances to customers at June 30, 2024, totaled HK5,172million,comparedtoHK6,756 million at January 1, 2024[159]. - The total impairment allowances for loans and advances amount to HK5,127million,indicatingasignificantcreditriskexposure[133].−ThetotalimpairmentallowancesforloancommitmentswereHK108 million, with HK93millionfor12−monthECLandHK15 million for lifetime ECL not credit-impaired[144]. Market and Investment - Investment securities increased to HK182,899million,comparedtoHK167,270 million, marking a growth of 9.4%[12]. - The fair value reserve for debt instruments showed a net change in fair value of HK915million,comparedtoHK765 million in the previous year[11]. - The fair value of the Group's investment in AFFIN Bank Berhad was HK3,287million,exceedingthecarryingvalueofHK2,969 million, resulting in no impairment charge[66]. - The total gross carrying amount of debt investment securities measured at amortised cost was HK22,381million,withimpairmentallowancesofHK14 million[147]. Risk Management - The bank's credit risk management includes monitoring significant increases in credit risk based on internal and external ratings[135]. - The 12-month expected credit loss (ECL) for loans and advances is HK24,047million,whilethelifetimeECLnotcredit−impairedisHK14,334 million[133]. - The market value of collateral held against impaired loans and advances to customers was HK6,259millionasofJune30,2024[127].−Thetotalamountofotherliabilities,includingaccruedinterestpayable,wasHK49,010 million as of June 30, 2024, compared to HK$47,312 million at December 31, 2023[78].