At its interim results conference for fiscal 2026 held on August 27, CITIC Bank's Vice President Zhao Yuanxin highlighted the bank's strong commitment to investor returns, ensuring shareholders fully benefit from the company's operational performance.
Taking into account current profitability and future business expansion needs, the board has recommended an interim dividend of RMB 11.296 billion for the first half of 2026. This payout represents 32.09% of net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders, a 0.34 percentage point increase from the full-year ratio last year, marking a record high for the bank.
Looking ahead to the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, Zhao stated that the bank will continue to prioritize shareholder value, adhering to a steady and sustainable dividend policy. The goal is to achieve a gradual uptick in payout ratios, thereby rewarding investor trust and support.
Addressing the challenge of balancing corporate development with shareholder distributions, Zhao acknowledged the widespread pressure on capital adequacy ratios currently facing the banking industry. In response, the bank is focused on building a value-driven institution by solidifying its positive operational momentum and reinforcing its capital base to enhance corporate investment value and shareholder return capacity.
The strategy centers on two key initiatives. First, accelerating the transition towards a light-capital business model by expanding high-priority light-capital operations and increasing their scale and proportion within the overall portfolio. Second, implementing a comprehensive "five-in-one" closed-loop management system for capital—covering planning, allocation, evaluation, monitoring, and measurement—to significantly boost capital efficiency.
Zhao also revealed that CITIC Bank is currently applying for the implementation of advanced capital measurement approaches. If approved, this would positively improve the bank's capital adequacy ratio. Furthermore, the bank has unveiled its 2026 action plan for enhancing quality, efficiency, and shareholder returns, which outlines systematic goals and measures across operational performance, investor returns, and corporate governance to continuously improve both business results and investment appeal.
Zhao expressed confidence that through value creation and meticulous capital management, the bank can successfully achieve a balance between steady growth in shareholder returns and long-term sustainable business development.
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