CIMB Group Holdings (CIMB) Q1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Net profit for Q1 2026 was RM1.9 billion, with ROE at 11.0%, reflecting resilient performance despite FX and geopolitical headwinds.

• Operating income was stable at RM5.4 billion, with strong non-interest income (NOII) growth offsetting a decline in net interest income due to NIM compression.

• Cost discipline improved cost-to-income ratio (CIR) to 47.2% from 49.9% in 4Q25.

• Asset quality remained robust with gross impaired loans (GIL) stable at 1.7% and CET1 ratio at 14.3%.

• Asset and loan growth remained healthy, with loans up 1.1%-1.3% QoQ on a constant currency basis; Malaysia and Singapore led loan growth.

Financial highlights

• Net profit of RM1.9 billion, down 2.9% YoY and flat QoQ; PBT at RM2.55 billion, down 2.9% YoY and 0.5% QoQ.

• Operating income RM5.4 billion, down 1.6% YoY and 0.2% QoQ; NII RM3.7 billion, down 3.6% YoY and 5.0% QoQ.

• NOII rose 11.9% QoQ to RM1.7 billion, driven by trading & FX income (+17.5% QoQ) and fee & commission (+4.0% QoQ).

• CIR improved to 47.2% (down 270bps QoQ), with operating expenses down 5.5% QoQ.

• Total assets grew 1.1% QoQ and 1.5% YoY to RM781.0 billion; loans up 1.3% QoQ and 1.1% YoY to RM455.1 billion.

Outlook and guidance

• FY26 guidance unchanged: ROE 11.0–11.5%, asset growth 5–7%, CIR <47%, loan loss charge 25–35bps, CET1 ≥14%.

• NIM compression expected to bottom out, with early signs of expansion in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

• Asset and loan growth pipeline remains strong, especially in wholesale banking.

• Cost discipline and NOII growth identified as key levers to offset potential earnings risks.

• The group remains vigilant amid macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical risks, focusing on disciplined capital allocation, liquidity, and prudent risk management.