The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and corporate realignment in response to trade and tariffs is expected to present significant opportunities for Hong Kong banks, according to a KPMG executive.
Opportunities would arise as the financial performance of the city’s banking sector this year might lack growth drivers, with “interest rates, margins and loans unlikely to change significantly”, said Paul McSheaffrey, senior banking partner for Hong Kong at the consultancy.
Last year, Hong Kong banks posted asset and profit gains as strict cost controls and an increase in customer deposits offset weak loan demand and rising credit risks amid global uncertainty, according to a KPMG report published on Wednesday.
The total assets of all licensed banks rose 4.5 per cent to HK$24 trillion (US$3.1 trillion) in 2024 from the previous year, while operating profit was up 7.8 per cent. Although loans and advances declined 2.3 per cent, customer deposits increased 4.1 per cent due to the limited interest rate cuts last year.
The banks’ average cost-to-income ratio declined by 38 basis points from 42.6 per cent in 2023 to 42.2 per cent in 2024.
