This year, group CEO Wee Ee Cheong is guiding for high single-digit loan growth, double-digit fee income increase led by cards, wealth, trade and loan-related fees, higher total income, cost-to-income ratio of around 42% and total credit costs in the range of 25 to 30 bps. Although 4QFY2024’s net profit was above expectations, it was 5% lower q-o-q. During the last quarter of 2024, NIM fell by 5 bps q-o-q to 2%. Net fee income and other non-interest income also declined q-o-q.
United Overseas Bank (UOB) reported a core net profit of $1,523 million for 4Q2024 (+9% y-o-y and -5% q-o-q), slightly exceeding consensus estimates of $1,478 million. The result included a one-off expense of $17 million for Citigroup integration costs. With only Citi Vietnam remaining to be fully integrated, Citi-related costs are expected to taper off this year.
Net profit for FY2024 grew 6% y-o-y to a record $6 billion. Net interest income was flat at $9.7 billion, with net interest margin (NIM) contracting by 6 basis points (bps) y-o-y to 2.03%. NIM contraction offset a 5% y-o-y loan growth. Net fee income grew 7% y-on-y to $2.4 billion, and other non-interest income rose by 10% to $2.2 billion.
