2025-08-29 10:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Profit attributable to equity holders increased by 10.5% to HKD 22.2 billion, with ROE rising by 0.53 percentage points to 12.92% [4][81] - Total customer deposits grew by 5.6% to HKD 2,880 billion, with CASA deposits surging by 31.7% [16] - After-tax profit grew by 11.4% year on year to HKD 22.8 billion [15] - Operating expenses increased by 2.3% to HKD 8.3 billion, while cash to income ratio improved by 2.2 percentage points to 20.8% [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - BOC Life's standard new premiums grew by 30%, ranking second in the market for the first quarter [6][83] - Assets under custody increased by 19% [5][82] - Fee income from investment and insurance business grew significantly by 95%, resulting in a 25.8% growth in net fee income [19][52] - The number of cross-border high-end customers grew by 44%, and new high-end personal banking customers increased by 35% [5][82] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NPL ratio of Southeast Asian entities was 2.7%, down eight basis points from the end of last year [9][86] - RMB loans grew by 16%, with a 90% increase in the underwriting volume of offshore RMB public bonds [10][86] - The average LCR and NSFR stood at 208% and 140% respectively, indicating solid liquidity [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deepen the development of private banking, asset management, and custodian business while enhancing its role as a regional headquarters for Southeast Asian operations [22] - The strategic focus includes leveraging innovative technologies and strengthening talent development to support the next five-year plan [22] - The company is committed to balancing quality, profitability, and scale while diversifying income sources and maintaining consistent risk management [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the banking sector faces a challenging operating environment due to uncertain global economic conditions and local market interest rates [4] - The outlook for the second half anticipates continued pressure on banking operations due to cyclical and structural adjustments in Hong Kong's economy [22] - New opportunities are expected from industrial chain optimization and the robust development of AI and digital assets [22] Other Important Information - The company launched the dual currency BOC GoCard and grew BOC Pay plus mainland transaction volumes by 40% year on year [7][84] - The company actively participated in offshore RMB market development and supported the issuance of green bonds and infrastructure bonds [10][88] - The company established an AI committee to coordinate AI-related applications and risk management [12][76] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook on NIM and HIBOR's impact - Management indicated that HIBOR has fluctuated, and while the NIM was 1.54%, it is expected to face pressure due to lower interest rates [29][32] Question: Dividend policy and share repurchases - Management confirmed a second interim dividend of HKD 0.29 per share, with a focus on long-term shareholder returns and potential share repurchases [33][34] Question: Loan growth expectations for the second half - Management noted steady loan demand growth, with expectations for recovery in loan demand despite global economic challenges [39][41] Question: Fee income sustainability - Management expects continued strong momentum in fee income driven by investment insurance and cross-border consumption [52][55] Question: Asset quality and property market outlook - Management reported stable asset quality with a focus on risk management, particularly in the property sector, which remains under pressure [56][59]