Here's what compressed UOB's NPL ratio in Q4

But higher NPL ratio is expected by end-2017.

Luck may have been UOB's way in the past quarter, as its nonperforming loan ratio marginally dipped to 1.5% in 4Q16, from 1.6% in the previous quarter due to higher write-offs.

However, RHB noted that it sees UOB's NPL ratio increasing in the future, growing 1.7% by end-2017 due to the soft economic environment.

RHB stated that one upside UOB can expect this year is the widening of the net interest margin and the stronger non-interest income.

"4Q16’s NIM of 1.69% was unchanged QoQ, but was 10bps narrower YoY. We forecast 2017 NIM of 1.76%, up from 2016’s 1.71%, on the back of a higher Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (SIBOR) from Fed rate hikes," RHB explained.

It furthered, "Its 2016 non-interest income fell 1.6%. This was mainly due to trading and investment income falling 8.1% due to lower gains from the sale of investment securities, but partially offset by higher trading income. We have factored in stronger 2017 non-interest income from the lower 2016 base."

The people you want to reach are already in this room.

Every quarter, SBR lands on the desks of the founders, CFOs, and directors running Asia's most consequential companies. Every day, they open our newsletter and read our website. It's a room that took twenty years to build — and it's the one most of our partners are trying to get into.

The good news is that the door is open. We work with companies on thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The shape of the right partnership depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If you have something this room should know about, tell us. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia