Banks' performance in first half expected to be weaker

LOCAL banks are expected to be hit by lower earnings, higher non-performing loans (NPLs) and loan loss provisions, among others this year despite a relatively fair showing in the recently-released fourth-quarter results, acording to analysts.

TA Securities senior analyst Wong Li Hsia said the current tough economic environment had yet to be reflected in the fourth-quarter results as banks were still registering good loans growth and asset quality.