HANG SENG BANK(00011)2024-08-09 08:45Financial Performance - Net operating income before expected credit loss changes and other credit impairment charges increased to HKD 20,431 million, up from HKD 19,940 million year-on-year [3]. - Profit before tax rose by 3% to HKD 11,307 million, compared to HKD 10,961 million in the previous year [7]. - Earnings attributable to shareholders reached HKD 9,893 million, slightly up from HKD 9,827 million year-on-year [3]. - Return on average ordinary shareholders' equity was 12.4%, down from 12.8% in the previous year [3]. - Net interest income grew by 2% year-on-year, while non-interest income increased by 4% [7]. - The board declared a second interim dividend of HKD 1.20 per share, totaling HKD 2.40 per share for the first half of 2024, a 9% increase from the same period last year [10]. - The total amount returned to shareholders reached HKD 7.6 billion, an 80% increase compared to the previous year [10]. - The company reported a 25% increase in operating profit, amounting to HKD 23.08 billion, compared to the second half of 2023 [22]. - Pre-tax profit for wealth management and personal banking increased by 2% to HKD 7.16 billion, with net interest income growing by 4% year-on-year [24]. - The company reported a net gain of HKD 2,822 million from financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss, down from HKD 6,110 million in the previous year [124]. Credit Quality and Risk Management - The non-performing loan ratio increased to 5.32%, reflecting pressures on cash flow for some commercial real estate clients [7]. - Expected credit losses decreased by 22% year-on-year due to improved risk management in mainland commercial real estate [7]. - The expected credit loss provisions decreased by 22% to HKD 1.5 billion, reflecting improved credit quality in the commercial real estate loan portfolio [11]. - Total impaired loans increased to HKD 46 billion, with an impaired loan ratio of 5.32%, up from 2.83% at the end of 2023 [19]. - The group continues to monitor and identify risks, with key risks including credit risk, market risk, and regulatory compliance risk [33]. - The group has adjusted expected credit losses to reflect uncertainties from inflation and interest rate fluctuations, with a model redevelopment planned for implementation by the end of 2024 [33]. - The expected credit loss model reflects significant risks and uncertainties, with adjustments made by management when necessary [51]. - The company is closely monitoring credit risks, particularly in the real estate sector, where challenges persist due to funding pressures and rising default rates [40]. - The expected credit loss for personal loans is 399,907 million, with a coverage ratio of 0.43% for Stage 3 [50]. - The expected credit loss for corporate and commercial loans is 443,853 million, with a coverage ratio of 2.68% for Stage 3 [50]. Business Growth and Client Engagement - The number of new affluent clients rose by 147% year-on-year, with new private banking accounts increasing by 15% [7]. - Premium income from new life insurance increased by 80% year-on-year, ranking third in Hong Kong [9]. - The "Wealth Management Connect" product offerings increased to over 320, leading to a fourfold increase in southbound investment product sales [9]. - Digital account openings via mobile devices increased by 172% year-on-year, reflecting enhanced digital platform capabilities [26]. - Active retail clients engaging in investment transactions rose by 41% year-on-year, driven by the introduction of the "Wealth Master" feature [25]. - The bank's new life insurance business premiums surged by 80% year-on-year, securing the third position in the life insurance market [25]. - The bank launched a HKD 33 billion SME Power Up financing fund to support growth and digital transformation of SMEs [9]. Capital and Liquidity Management - The bank's common equity tier 1 capital ratio stood at 16.6% as of June 30, 2024, indicating a strong capital position [12]. - The bank aims to maintain strong capital to support business development while complying with regulatory capital requirements [88]. - The average liquidity coverage ratio as of June 30, 2024, is 277.2%, up from 260.6% as of December 31, 2023, significantly exceeding the regulatory requirement [108]. - The stable funding ratio as of June 30, 2024, is 168.2%, compared to 171.7% as of March 31, 2024, and 161.4% as of June 30, 2023 [111]. - The bank's total equity as of June 30, 2024, was reported at 149,659 million, a decrease from 166,320 million as of December 31, 2023 [93]. - The bank's retained earnings and other reserves are crucial for maintaining a prudent balance in capital allocation to subsidiaries [91]. Economic Outlook and Market Conditions - Economic outlook for most markets has improved compared to December 31, 2023, but key macroeconomic and regulatory issues remain [33]. - The consensus central scenario predicts a GDP growth rate of 2.9% for Hong Kong and 4.9% for mainland China in 2024, both lower than in 2023 [54]. - The unemployment rate is expected to remain at 3.0% in Hong Kong and 5.2% in mainland China for 2024, with slight increases projected in subsequent years [55]. - The company expects inflation rates to decline, with a return to central bank targets by 2025, driven by easing service sector inflation and wage growth [54]. - The company is closely monitoring the economic environment and will adjust its credit loss estimates based on evolving macroeconomic conditions [56]. - The company anticipates that policy interest rates have peaked and will begin to decline in 2024, although they are expected to remain above pre-pandemic levels in the long term [54]. Operational Efficiency and Cost Management - Operating expenses rose by HKD 367 million, or 5%, to HKD 7,523 million, driven by increased service fees and investments in digital capabilities [20]. - The cost-to-income ratio increased by 0.9 percentage points to 36.8% [22]. - The company reported a significant increase in operating expenses totaling (7,523) million, impacting overall profitability [155]. - The total operating expenses, excluding costs directly related to insurance business, amounted to HKD 3,159 million for the half-year ending June 30, 2024, compared to HKD 2,971 million in the previous year, reflecting an increase of about 6.3% [148]. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management - The group has enhanced risk management in response to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, maintaining net interest income stability despite anticipated interest rate volatility [37]. - A comprehensive regulatory reporting plan is progressing, aimed at strengthening processes and improving consistency in regulatory reporting controls [37]. - The company continues to engage with regulatory bodies to address compliance and reputational risks arising from stricter data privacy and national security laws [39]. - The bank employs advanced internal rating-based approaches for calculating credit risk for most non-securitized exposures [91]. Investment and Market Strategy - The bank issued Hang Seng S&P 500 Index ETF and Hang Seng Japan TSE 100 Index ETF, expanding its global business [4]. - The bank's investment management arm launched Hong Kong's first S&P 500 Index ETF in April 2024, expanding its ETF offerings [26]. - The company plans to continue expanding its market presence and investing in new technologies to drive future growth [126]. - The company continues to focus on expanding its business segments, including commercial banking and global capital markets, to enhance overall performance and market presence [154].