Kuala lumpur: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd's net profit increased to RM1.94 billion in the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared to RM1.89 billion in the same quarter last year, supported by broad-based performance across all business segments. However, the group's revenue saw a slight decrease to RM5.56 billion from RM5.60 billion in the previous year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, for the first half of the year ending June 30, 2026, CIMB declared an all-cash first interim dividend of 19.65 sen per share. This is based on a consistent payout ratio of 55 percent, translating into a total dividend payout of RM2.1 billion. In its filing with Bursa Malaysia, the group reported an annualised return on average equity of 11.2 percent, showing an improvement of 20 basis points quarter-on-quarter. Earnings per share stood at 17.9 sen for the quarter.
The group noted that operating income grew by 2.8 percent quarter-on-quarter to RM5.56 billion, driven by growth in both net interest income and non-interest income. Non-interest income increased by 6.0 percent quarter-on-quarter to RM1.83 billion, while net interest income rose by 1.3 percent to RM3.73 billion, supported by assets and loans growth. The group expects pressures on net interest margins to ease gradually, aided by loan repricing in Indonesia and growth in lower-cost deposits.
Operating expenses decreased by 1.6 percent quarter-on-quarter, contributing to a 200 basis points improvement in the cost-to-income ratio, which rose to 45.2 percent. CIMB continues to invest in technology, data, and AI capabilities to enhance long-term growth and efficiency. Asset quality remained stable, with the gross impaired loan ratio reaching an all-time low of 1.6 percent as of June 2026.
For the first half of 2026, CIMB's net profit slightly decreased to RM3.85 billion from RM3.86 billion a year earlier, and revenue declined to RM10.97 billion from RM11.10 billion previously. The group continues to prioritize strategic cross-border corridors as part of its Forward30 strategic plan, which includes initiatives in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the ASEAN Financial Passport.
CIMB launched its Forward30 strategy in March 2025, aiming to drive growth and strengthen its business by leveraging its ASEAN network. The plan focuses on reallocating capital from underperforming businesses and enhancing its digital proposition through TNG Group. TNG Group's profits grew more than 100 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026.
CIMB Group CEO Novan Amirudin stated that the execution of the Forward30 strategy remains on track, with a focus on sustaining asset and loan growth and maintaining disciplined capital allocation. The group has exited CIMB Thailand's auto business and is enhancing its digital banking services.
Separately, CIMB announced that its subsidiary, CIMB Thai Bank PCL, will be delisted from The Stock Exchange of Thailand, effective September 12, 2026. CIMB Thai's shares will remain available for trading until September 11, 2026. The delisting will not impact CIMB Thai's operations or financial standing, as it remains a core subsidiary of the group.