Bank of China Hong Kong earned 4.9% more last year. Management: Hong Kong's economy is resilient and confident.

Ask AI · How does Hong Kong’s economic resilience affect the cross-border business development of BOC Hong Kong?

BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited (hereinafter referred to as “BOC Hong Kong,” stock code 2388.HK) announced its full-year 2025 results on March 30, 2025. The group’s profit attributable to shareholders for 2025 was HK$40.12B, up 4.9% year over year. The net operating income before provisions for impairment was HK$77.02B, and annual profit was HK$41.19B, with year-on-year growth of 8.1% and 5.3%, respectively.

On March 30, BOC Hong Kong released its full-year 2025 results.

As of end-2025, the group’s total assets were HK$4,489.809 billion, up 7%. Customer deposits increased by 7.9%, and customer loans increased by 2.3%. The board recommended a final dividend for 2025 of HK$1.255 per share. Together with the three prior interim dividends, total dividends for the year amounted to HK$2.125 per share, up 6.8%. The dividend payout ratio increased by 1 percentage point year over year, reaching 56%.

During the review period, the group’s net interest income showed steady development. Net interest income increased by 1.4% to HK$59.67B. The net interest spread, after adjusting for foreign exchange swap factors, was 1.58%. Capital ratios remained sound: the total capital ratio was 25.98%, and both the capital ratio and the common equity tier 1 capital ratio were 24.01%.

Nandu N Video’s reporter learned at the results briefing that BOC Hong Kong has continued to step up efforts in multiple “connectivity” initiatives, including “Stock Connect,” “Bond Connect,” “Swap Connect,” “Cross-border Wealth Management Connect,” and “Cross-border Payment Connect.” At the same time, BOC Hong Kong is actively seizing opportunities for related business in the Greater Bay Area. It has expanded its “Easy Account Opening” service to all mainland Greater Bay Area cities, and launched a brand-new Greater Bay Area “Home-Buying Easy” renminbi mortgage loan and property mortgage loan方案. The group has also actively engaged with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s “Mainland Enterprises Going Global Special Team,” building an “going global” customer service ecosystem.

BOC Hong Kong Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sun Yu, said in remarks to media reporters that, amid potential volatility in global trade and financial markets, the banking industry faces multiple challenges, including the shift in growth drivers and risk management. The “14th Five-Year Plan for the Next Five Years” sets the direction for the country’s future development. The process of high-quality development and strengthening scientific and technological self-reliance is becoming increasingly deep. He believes that Hong Kong’s latest budget proposals emphasize fostering innovation and technology, as well as industries such as finance, shipping, and trade. Combined with multiple national-level strategies being integrated and intersecting in Hong Kong, this will help Hong Kong consolidate its position as a “super connector” and “super value-added person.”

In response to questions from media reporters, Sun Yu pointed out that Hong Kong’s economy has relatively strong resilience. Last year, Hong Kong’s GDP grew by 3.5%. Its external trade performance was very outstanding, while domestic demand is also gradually picking up. Retail sales rebounded, and residential property prices and volumes rose together. Financial market trading remained active. Despite facing a highly complex external environment, under the opening of the “14th Five-Year Plan for the Next Five Years,” the Hong Kong SAR government will deeply integrate into and serve the overall national development agenda. It is expected that this year Hong Kong’s economy will continue to maintain a stable growth trend. He believes that private consumption in Hong Kong is expected to recover steadily, and that active investment in innovation technology and infrastructure will provide confidence in Hong Kong’s overall macroeconomic performance.

Sun Yu added that although geopolitical developments in the Middle East have disrupted international investment sentiment, since 2026, Hong Kong’s financial markets overall have remained stable and operating smoothly. Cash flow has been stable and sufficient. He believes that, leveraging the advantages of “mutual connectivity between the mainland and the outside world,” Hong Kong’s “safe haven” attributes will become even more prominent. With support from the mainland economy moving steadily toward improvement, Hong Kong can attract more capital inflows, and will have good development opportunities in markets such as wealth management and bulk commodities.

Reporting/Writing/Photography: Nandu N Video reporter Xiao Yao, reporting from Hong Kong