KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Bank
Bhd sustained earnings growth in the first quarter of 2025 (1QFY25) with cost optimisation efforts and a focus on asset quality yielding results.
“Our new 3-year strategic roadmap, PROGRESS27, sets a clear course toward becoming the best in service, enhancing profitability, and reinforcing our purpose-driven commitment.
"With focused execution priorities, from simplifying customer journeys to advancing our sustainability ambitions, we are well-positioned to deliver near-term value while unlocking long-term value for all stakeholders,” said group managing director and CEO Datuk Mohd Rashid Mohamad in a statement.
During the quarter under review, RHB recorded a net profit of RM750.03mil, up from RM730.17mil in the year-ago quarter.
The group reported revenue of RM4.39bil, which was slightly lower than RM4.4bil in the comparative quarter, while earnings per share rose to 17.2 sen from 17.03 sen previously.
According to the bank, net fund-based income increased 7.3% year-on-year (y-o-y)to RM1.5bil, on the back of higher gross loans.
Net interest margin improved from 1.83% to 1.84% over the one-year period.
"The group continued to proactively manage its funding costs through active liability management initiatives.
Taking this into account, the effective NIM for the quarter was 1.91%," it said.
Non-fund based income, however, fell 20.2% y-o-y to RM600mil, mainly owing to lower net gain on forex and derivatives, and net trading and investment income.
On an annualised basis, the group’s gross loans grew 2.4% to RM239bil, supported by growth in the group community banking and commercial segments, respectively.
Customer deposits was RM249bil, with current account savings account (Casa) composition improving to 28% from 27.6% In December 2024.
