CIMB Records Resilient 1Q26, Underpinned By Disciplined Execution Of Forward30 Strategy

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Group”) delivered a resilient performance, recording a net profit of RM1.9 billion for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026 (“1Q26”), translating to return on equity (“ROE”) of 11.0% and earnings per share (“EPS”) of 17.8 sen. The performance reflected the Group’s steady underlying momentum despite FX and geopolitical headwinds, supported by disciplined execution of its Forward30 strategy. 

Operating income remained stable QoQ at RM5.4 billion, supported by strong non-interest income (“NOII”), which rose 11.9% QoQ to RM1.7 billion on stronger trading and FX income. This helped offset a 5.0% QoQ decline in net interest income (“NII”) to RM3.7 billion, due to Group net interest margin (“NIM”) compression of 2bps during the quarter, although the impact on NII was partially cushioned by asset growth. Nonetheless, the Group is seeing early signs of NIM compression bottoming out, with country-level NIM expanding QoQ by 1bp in Malaysia, 12bps in Singapore and 5bps in Thailand.