2025-04-29 08:32Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the group's net operating income before impairment provisions increased by 12.9% year-on-year to HKD 20.087 billion[5]. - Net interest income, after accounting for foreign exchange swap contracts, rose by 3.4% year-on-year to HKD 14.778 billion, driven by an 8.3% increase in average interest-earning assets[5]. - Net service fees and commission income surged by 34.7% year-on-year to HKD 3.424 billion, primarily due to a recovery in the stock market and increased client demand for investment and wealth management services[5]. - Operating expenses increased by 3.4% year-on-year, with a cost-to-income ratio of 20.51%, maintaining a strong position within the local banking sector[6]. - The group's total assets as of March 31, 2025, amounted to HKD 4216.228 billion, reflecting a 0.5% increase from the end of 2024[9]. Customer Deposits and Loan Quality - Customer deposits grew by 3.6% compared to the end of 2024, reaching HKD 2822.55 billion, with savings deposits increasing and time, short-term, and notice deposits declining[9]. - The loan quality remained stable with a non-performing loan ratio of 1.01%, consistently outperforming the market average[9]. Digital Transformation and Innovation - The group is focusing on digital transformation and enhancing data governance, while also promoting sustainable high-quality development in line with ESG principles[10]. - The group launched a simplified corporate loan application process on the iGTB platform, accelerating the credit approval process for corporate clients[12]. - The group enhanced its digital banking services in Southeast Asia, launching new features such as local large cross-bank transfer functions[14]. - The group is focused on risk management and digital transformation to enhance online services and trading capabilities[13]. Business Expansion and Market Position - The group is actively pursuing business opportunities in the Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia, strengthening its competitive position in cross-border and RMB business[10]. - The group maintained its leading position in the syndicated loan market in Hong Kong and Macau, supporting the construction of overseas treasury for enterprises[12]. - The trust and custody asset scale continued to grow, with successful acquisition of multiple new custody asset portfolios[12]. - The group optimized its product matrix in personal banking, leading to a significant increase in stock trading volume and monthly active customer numbers during the quarter[11]. - Insurance commission income grew well in the first quarter, supported by the introduction of various insurance promotion offers and services for high-net-worth clients[11]. - The group actively expanded green finance business, signing multiple loan agreements related to green and sustainable development[12]. Financial Returns - The board announced an interim dividend of HKD 0.29 per share, with the ex-dividend date set for May 14, 2025[15].