Bangkok--21 Apr--CIMB Thai Bank
A commendable growth in net interest income, and good control of expenses and NPL
Mr. Subhak Siwaraksa, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Thai Bank PCL stated that
according to the unreviewed 1Q2016 financial statements, CIMB Thai Group posted a consolidated net profit of THB 327.3 million, a year-on-year (YoY) increase of THB 196.7 million or 150.6% from 1Q15. The increase in net profit was largely attributed to a growth in net interest income of 24.9% coupled with a 1.5% decrease in operating expenses, partially offset by lower net fee and service income of 18.3% and other operating income of 7.8%. The 12.6% YoY increase in provisions reflects our cautious stance in view of the volatile economic environment.
On a YoY basis, consolidated operating income for CIMB Thai Group increased by THB 351.0 million, or 11.8% from 1Q15 to THB 3,314.6 million. The higher operating income was underpinned by higher net interest income of THB 476.0 million, rise of 24.9% YoY, arising from a growth in loans and lower interest expenses. Net fee and service income decreased by THB 74.9 million or 18.3%, a result of lower debt capital market and insurance fees. Other operating income decreased by THB 50.1 million or 7.8% due to lower contributions from Treasury & Markets, partially moderated by higher gains on investment and other operating income.
Operating expenses decreased by THB 26.6 million or 1.5%, mainly from expenses relating to staff, premises and equipment as well as other operating expenses. The cost to income ratio decreased to 53.0% in 1Q16 compared to 60.1% in the same quarter a year ago, as a result of better cost management and increased income.
Net Interest Margin (NIM) over earning assets stood at 3.72% in 1Q16, compared to 2.95% in the same quarter a year ago, on the back of more efficient management of funding.
As at 31 March 2016, total gross loans (inclusive of loans guaranteed by other banks and loans to financial institutions) stood at THB 200.4 billion, an increase of THB 1.4 billion or 0.7% from 31 December 2015. Deposits (inclusive of Bill of Exchanges, Debentures and selected Structured Deposits) stood at THB 205.8 billion, a decrease of 5.7% from THB 218.4 billion at the end of December 2015. As a result, the Modified Loan to Deposit Ratio increased to 97.4% from 91.1% as at 31 December 2015.
Gross non-performing loans ("NPL") stood at THB 6.2 billion, a gross NPL ratio of 3.0%. This is a decrease from 3.1% as at 31 December 2015. The reduction in NPL was mainly due to more stringent credit risk assessments, effective risk management policies, improvements in loan collection processes and better management of the Bank's NPLs.
Adhering to a more conservative reserve policy, CIMB Thai Group's loan loss coverage ratio increased to 115.0% as at 31 March 2016 from 106.5% at the end of December 2015. As at 31 March 2016, our total provisions stood at THB 7.1 billion, showing an excess of THB 3.3 billion over Bank of Thailand's reserve requirements.
Finally, total consolidated capital funds stood at THB 34.6 billion as at 31 March 2016. The BIS ratio was 15.0%, of which 10.8% comprises Tier-1-capital.