KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Hong Leong Bank Bhd posted a higher net profit of RM1.03 billion in the third quarter ended March 31, 2026 (3Q 2026) from RM946.70 million in 3Q 2025.
Revenue was marginally higher at RM1.58 billion from RM1.55 billion previously, it said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia.
For the nine-month period (9M 2026), net profit was RM3.29 billion, up from RM3.18 billion a year ago, while revenue rose to RM4.93 billion from RM4.78 billion previously.
Group managing director and chief executive officer Kevin Lam said its performance for the first nine months of the financial year remained resilient amidst the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
“We remain agile and adaptive in this challenging business backdrop which allowed us to deliver a higher profit after tax of RM3.29 billion, on the back of top-line growth, strategic cost management and healthy asset quality,” he said in a statement.
Lam added that gross loans/financing sustained its growth momentum, with 8.4 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) expansion, driven by growth across key segments including mortgage, auto loans, small and medium enterprise (SME) and commercial banking, as well as key overseas markets.
He said Hong Leong Bank continued to be proactive in providing steadfast support to its customers, ensuring those facing disruption see the challenging phase through, while delivering a healthy asset quality with an overall for gross impaired loans (GIL) ratio of 0.6 per cent.
The bank said loan impairment coverage (LIC) ratio stood at 81.1 per cent as at March 31, 2026.
The bank’s capital position remained healthy with CET 1, Tier 1 and Total Capital ratios at 12.4 per cent, 13.3 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, customer deposits for 9M 2026 grew 8.3 per cent y-o-y to RM243.5 billion, with current account and savings account (CASA) 14.1 per cent higher y-o-y to RM77.9 billion, leading to a CASA mix of 32 per cent.
Loans to deposits ratio (LDR) stood at 88.0 per cent as at March 31, 2026, while rolling 12 months average liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) stood at 129.0 per cent, well exceeding regulatory requirements.
On prospects, Lam said as the nation navigates the dynamic macroeconomic landscape, the bank’s priority remains on strengthening its core operations through the transformation of its branch network, deepening strategic alliances and stepping up artificial intelligence (AI) and digital capabilities.
“As always, we remain dedicated to embedding environmental, social and governance principles across our business strategies and practices, ensuring that we create a positive, lasting impact on the communities and stakeholders we serve,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hong Leong Capital Bhd’s net profit stood at RM10.07 million in 3Q 2026, while its revenue stood at RM76.81 million.
Its chairman Tan Kong Khoon said that looking ahead, Hong Leong Capital is advancing its digital capabilities by accelerating enterprise-wide adoption of AI.
“Guided by our new AI Centre of Excellence, the group is in the forefront of deploying the use of agentic AI for the bank’s risk management and control functions.
“The initial results have visibly and significantly reduce the time taken to complete routine tasks, strengthen controls and empower our workforce to focus on value-driving initiatives,” he said.
