, Japan

MUFG weathers lacklustre lending gains after 2017 profits rose 6.8% to $8.98b

Lower bad loan expenses and gains from equity holdings buoyed earnings.

Reuters reports that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc was able to weather the downturn plaguing Japanese banks as profits rose 6.8% YoY to $8.98b (989.7b yen) in the year ending March. 

Lower than expected expenses from bad loans and gains from equity holdings offset dismal bank lending, according to the bank’s financial statement.

Also read: MUFG may be hit by $470m writedown on branch losses

Japanese banks have been grappling with steadily declining loan demand as the country ages rapidly. The growing preference of older generations for low-risk assets have pushed down loan-to-deposit ratios and squeezed the profitability of lenders.

Also read: Japanese banks reportedly mulling joint ATMs to cut massive losses

To stay afloat, Japanese banks are turning to overseas markets and expanding into non-lending businesses amidst unfavourable business conditions in their home turf following an ultra-low interest rate environment engineered by the central bank.

Here’s more from Reuters.

Join Asian Banking & Finance community
Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Exclusives

Financial crimes to continue to squeeze bank profits
More sophisticated crooks and stricter rules are expected to increase compliance costs.
Private fund tokens may be the future of investing
Kinexys seeks to keep a token’s sensitive financial information from prying eyes.
Asia struggles with G20 payment targets
The ultimate goal is for cross-border payments to achieve “the speed of the internet.”