CIMB Group reported a net profit of RM 1.94 billion for the second quarter of 2026 on revenue of RM 5.56 billion, delivering a return on equity of 11.2%, the Malaysian lender said in a statement published on its corporate website.
The group declared an all-cash first interim dividend of 19.65 sen per share for the first half, based on a payout ratio of 55% and totalling RM2.1 billion.
OPERATING INCOME AND FEES UNDERPIN QUARTER
Non-interest income rose 6.0% quarter on quarter to RM1.83 billion, driven by higher franchise fees and sustained client sales momentum, while net interest income rose 1.3% to RM3.73 billion on asset and loan growth, offsetting a moderate contraction in net interest margin.
Operating expenses declined 1.6% quarter on quarter, contributing to a 200 basis point improvement in the cost-to-income ratio to 45.2%. Return on equity improved 20 basis points from the first quarter, and net profit rose 1.2% quarter on quarter.
CIMB is Malaysia's second-largest banking group by assets and operates across ASEAN, with meaningful franchises in Indonesia through CIMB Niaga, in Singapore, in Thailand and in other regional markets alongside its home operations. The gross impaired loan ratio fell to an all-time low of 1.6% at the end of June, and the CET1 ratio stood at 14.0%.
The RM 5.56 billion revenue print for the quarter was up 2.8% quarter on quarter, though slightly below the RM 5.6 billion of a year earlier, with the group citing broad-based performance across all businesses.
SHAREHOLDER RETURNS UNDERPINNED BY DIVIDEND
The dividend entitlement date is 17 September and payment is due on 30 September. Group chief executive Novan Amirudin said CIMB was committed to delivering its previously announced multi-year capital return plan, backed by a strong capital position.
First-half net profit was RM3.85 billion, compared with RM3.86 billion a year earlier, while revenue dipped to RM10.97 billion from RM11.1 billion.
The results were published on CIMB's corporate website on 28 August. The group said it expects net interest margin pressures to ease progressively, supported by loan repricing in Indonesia and continued growth in lower-cost deposits across its key markets.
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