Dah Sing Banking Group Limited (DSBG) reported profit attributable to shareholders of HK$1.78 billion for the six months ended 30 June 2026, up 12.8% year-on-year. Basic earnings per share advanced to HK$1.27 from HK$1.12.

Operating momentum was driven by a 7.0% increase in net interest income to HK$2.97 billion, supported by a 12-basis-point expansion in net interest margin to 2.44%. Net fee and commission income surged 29.2% to HK$939.17 million, lifting total operating income 8.6% to HK$4.12 billion.

Cost control efforts kept operating expenses growth to 2.7%, lowering the cost-to-income ratio to 42.5% from 45.0% a year earlier. Operating profit before impairment rose 13.5% to HK$2.37 billion. Credit impairment charges eased 0.6% to HK$723.81 million, resulting in a 21.0% increase in operating profit before investment gains to HK$1.65 billion. After tax, return on average assets improved to 1.4% (1H 2025: 1.2%), while return on average shareholders’ funds reached 10.0% (1H 2025: 9.2%).

Segmentally, Personal Banking delivered a 12% rise in operating income and a 36% jump in post-impairment profit, supported by a 26% lift in non-interest revenue and lower credit costs. Corporate Banking’s operating profit before impairment grew 11%, though higher credit provisions pared net profit. Treasury and Global Markets recorded a 1% increase in operating profit before impairment, buoyed by stronger net interest earnings and reduced expenses. Mainland China and Macau banking operations posted a 186% surge in pre-impairment profit yet remained loss-making after credit charges; the Group’s share of profit from Bank of Chongqing rose 15.5% to HK$511.39 million.

Total assets expanded 3.7% since December 2025 to HK$267.54 billion. Customer loans increased 1.4% to HK$142.17 billion, while customer deposits edged down 0.3% to HK$204.61 billion, pushing the loan-to-deposit ratio to 69.4% (Dec 2025: 68.0%). The impaired-loan ratio improved to 3.03% from 3.12% at year-end; impaired HK commercial real-estate exposures fell 16% amid cautious portfolio growth.

Regulatory metrics remain solid: Common Equity Tier 1 ratio stood at 19.1% (Dec 2025: 18.8%), total capital adequacy ratio at 23.4%, leverage ratio at 12.0%, and average liquidity maintenance ratio at 59.0% for the period.

Reflecting stronger earnings, the Board declared an interim dividend of HK$0.35 per share (HK$492.01 million), payable on 24 September 2026 to shareholders on record as of 16 September 2026.

Management highlighted Hong Kong’s resilient economic backdrop, noting real GDP growth of 5.1% in 1H 2026 and improving commercial property indicators. DSBG intends to maintain its prudent risk posture, underpinned by robust capital and liquidity, while selectively pursuing opportunities such as the recent lift in its stake in Bank of Chongqing to 13.48%.