KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Thai Bank PCL recorded a net profit of THB908.2mil (RM112.11mil), an increase of THB70.1mil or 8.4% year-on-year (y-o-y), in the first quarter of 2026, as compared to the same quarter in 2025, it announced in a statement today.

The bank, which is a 94.83% indirectly-held subsidiary of CIMB Group

Holding Bhd, said the improved performance was mainly owing to a 0.6% decline in operating expenses and a 21.1% decrease in expected credit losses, offsetting the 3.1% decline in operating income.

Operating income declined THB110.6mil, or 3.1% y-o-y to THB3.47bil, attributed to the contraction in net interest income of THB156.8mil due to lower asset yields in line with the prevailing low interest rate environment.

Net fee and service income dropped THB82.2mil or 22.7% from lower insurance brokerage income and underwriting fee. This was partially offset by the increase in other operating income of THB128.4mil or 12.6% due to gains on investments.

Operating expenses decreased THB 9.4 million or 0.6%, largely due to lower employee expenses, partially offset by higher impairment loss on properties foreclosed. The cost-to-income ratio stood at 48.9% in 3M2026 compared to 47.6% in 3M2025.