KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd
(Maybank) said its performance in the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, was impacted by weaker trading and markets-related income, although its earnings remained resilient with a stronger net interest margin (NIM), prudent cost management and asset quality.
For the first quarter, Maybank's net profit dipped to RM2.48bil from RM2.59bil in the year-ago quarter, translating to a decline in earnings per share to 20.53 sen from 21.45 sen previously.
Quarterly revenue fell to RM14.92bil from RM16.87bil in the previous comparative quarter.
“Maybank continued to deliver steady earnings supported by stronger net interest margin, prudent cost management and broadly stable asset quality during the quarter.
"We also saw continued progress across several key businesses, particularly wealth management, investment banking and flow business, reflecting the strength of the group’s customer franchise," said president and group CEO Datuk Sri Khairussaleh Ramli in a statement.
"Our balance sheet fundamentals remain sound with strong capital and liquidity buffers, as well as continued current account savings account (Casa) strength across our home markets, enabling us to continue supporting individuals, SMEs and large corporates."
According to Maybank, non-interest income (NOII) during the quarter slipped to RM1.99bil due to a weaker trading performance. However, net fund-based income grew 3.2% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM5.11bil on the back of improved NIM and stable loans growth.
Net operating income stood at RM7.1bil compared with RM7.71bil previously.
NIM rose 10 basis points to 2.14% from a year earlier, supported by lower cost funding mix and a higher Casa ratio of 41.1% across home markets.
The bank added that operating expenses were 5.3% lower y-o-y despite an increase in technology investment costs. The cost-to-income ratio closed at 49.9%.
Meanwhile, group loans expanded 0.9% y-o-y, or 3.4% y-o-y if excluding foreign exchange impact, to RM684.5bil.
