RHB Bank Berhad recorded a net profit of MYR 857 million ($215.25 million) for the first quarter of its financial year ending 31 December 2026. This performance was supported by steady total income, disciplined cost management, and improvement in credit quality. Total income stood at MYR 2.2 billion ($553 million), contributed by both net funds based and non-fund-based income streams. The Group maintained prudent cost discipline with cost-to-income ratio (CIR) at 46.2% while sustaining healthy capital and liquidity positions. Dato’ Mohd Rashid Mohamad, group managing director/group chief executive officer of RHB Banking Group said, “The operating environment continues to be shaped by global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, evolving trade dynamics and cautious market sentiment. Against this backdrop, we remain committed to supporting our customers while maintaining prudent financial discipline.” “We recognise that many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), continue to navigate cost pressures and external uncertainties. We are supporting SMEs through targeted measures, including access to financing under Bank Negara Malaysia’s SME Stabilisation Relief Facility, supported by guaranteed schemes to enhance funding accessibility. This is complemented by streamlined processes, including a fast-track lane for eligible customers, as well as targeted repayment assistance through loan modifications, tenure extensions, and rescheduling or restructuring where needed. This reflects our continued focus on helping businesses strengthen resilience, maintain operational continuity and position themselves for long term growth,” he added. RHB also recently launched Malaysia’s first bank-led cybersecurity assessment tool designed to help SMEs better understand their cyber and fraud risk exposure, assess their cybersecurity readiness and strengthen digital resilience amid an increasingly complex threat landscape. “In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and digital vulnerabilities carry greater risks, equipping businesses with the right tools to proactively safeguard their operations is paramount,” said Dato’ Mohd Rashid. The Group’s total assets stood at MYR365 billion ($92 billion), supported by strong balance sheet growth. Shareholders’ equity amounted to MYR33 billion ($8.3 billion), with the Common Equity Tier-1 (CET-1) ratio and Total Capital Ratio (TCR) at 14.7% and 17.1%, respectively, providing solid buffers against external uncertainties and supporting future growth. At the Bank level, CET-1 was 13.5% and TCR, 16.1%. Malaysia’s economy is expected to remain resilient in 2026, with growth projected at around 4.7%, supported by steady domestic demand, ongoing investments and a stable labour market. The 5.4% growth in the first quarter of 2026 reflects continued underlying economic momentum. However, challenges may intensify in the second quarter, driven by the West Asian oil crisis, which could heighten energy price volatility and weigh on market sentiment. The manufacturing sector, particularly electrical and electronics (E&E) continues to benefit from firm demand linked to the global technology cycle, although external risks, including geopolitical tensions and commodity price fluctuations, persist Against this backdrop, the goup remains focused on disciplined execution of its strategic priorities under PROGRESS27, with emphasis on sustaining growth, while maintaining prudent risk management, strengthening resilience and supporting customers through evolving market conditions.
