United Overseas Bank (UOB) reported net profit of S$4.68 billion for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, a 23 per cent year-on-year decline after the Singapore lender booked pre-emptive general allowances to bolster its balance-sheet resilience amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
Total income, which the bank uses as its top-line measure, slipped 3 per cent to S$13.81 billion, while operating profit eased 4 per cent to S$7.65 billion.
UOB’s board has proposed a final dividend of 71 Singapore cents per ordinary share. Together with the interim payout of 85 cents already distributed, shareholders will receive S$1.56 per share for FY25, representing a payout ratio of about 50 per cent. The group also returned surplus capital through a special dividend of 50 cents per share paid in two tranches during 2025.
Net interest income contracted 3 per cent to S$9.36 billion as the net interest margin narrowed 14 basis points to 1.89 per cent on lower benchmark rates, despite 4 per cent loan growth. Fee income rose 7 per cent to a record S$2.57 billion, buoyed by double-digit expansion in wealth management and loan-related fees. Other non-interest income declined 15 per cent to S$1.88 billion after last year’s unusually strong trading gains.
By business line, Group Wholesale Banking’s operating profit fell 8 per cent year-on-year, weighed by lower net interest income and stiffer competition, although investment-banking and customer treasury fees reached new highs. Group Retail Banking posted operating profit of S$2.3 billion, down 9 per cent, as wealth and card income cushioned margin compression.
Total allowances for credit and other losses more than doubled to S$2.04 billion, reflecting the third-quarter decision to raise general provisions. The non-performing loan ratio remained stable at 1.5 per cent, with NPA coverage at 97 per cent, or 254 per cent including collateral.
Looking ahead, UOB said it will focus on strengthening regional connectivity, enhancing its wealth-management platforms and scaling digital capabilities to support customers across ASEAN. Management noted that structural drivers such as digitalisation, infrastructure spending and deeper regional integration should underpin the bloc’s growth trajectory despite external headwinds.
Deputy chairman and chief executive Wee Ee Cheong stated that the diversified business model and robust capital position—reflected in a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 15.1 per cent and a liquidity coverage ratio of 147 per cent—leave the bank well placed to navigate economic cycles and capture new opportunities in the region.
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