Core Insights - The Hong Kong banking system remains robust with ample capital and liquidity as of Q1 2025 [1][2] - Retail banking operating profit before tax increased by 15.8% year-on-year, driven by growth in foreign exchange and derivative income, as well as fees and commissions [1] - The net interest margin for retail banking narrowed to 1.51% from 1.53% in the same period last year [1] Loan and Deposit Trends - Total loans in the Hong Kong banking sector increased by 0.6% year-on-year, with loans used in Hong Kong and outside Hong Kong rising by 0.8% and 1.1% respectively [1] - Trade financing saw a decline of 4.7% year-on-year [1] - Total deposits increased by 3.5% year-on-year, with Hong Kong dollar deposits and US dollar deposits rising by 5.1% and 1.7% respectively [1] Asset Quality and Liquidity - The specific classified loan ratio in the Hong Kong banking system slightly increased from 1.96% at the end of Q4 2024 to 1.98% at the end of Q1 2025 [2] - The average liquidity coverage ratio for Class 1 institutions was 182.5%, significantly above the 100% regulatory minimum [2] - The total capital ratio for locally registered authorized institutions was 24.2% as of March 2025, well above the 8% international minimum requirement [2]