The non-performing loan ratio rose slightly to 1.5 percent, from 1.4 percent in the third quarter. Both DBS and OCBC also saw that ratio increase.
The bank’s CEO Wee Ee Cheong highlighted that performance was stable despite a subdued growth environment.
“Global uncertainty, slow growth and rapid digital transformation will continue in 2017. However, Asia with its increasing integration and consumer affluence presents opportunities for long-term players such as UOB,” Wee said in a statement.
For the full year, UOB’s net profit slipped 3.5 percent to S$3.10 billion.
Net interest income rose 1.3 percent to S$4.99 billion for 2016, with UOB citing healthy loan growth in the consumer and the non-bank financial institution customer segments.
Full-year non-interest income slipped 1.6 percent to S$3.07 billion, with trading and investment income falling 8.1 percent on lower earnings from the sale of investment securities, offset by higher trading income.
UOB proposed a final dividend of 35 Singapore cents a share, bringing the total dividend payout for the year to 70 Singapore cents, down from 90 Singapore cents in 2015.
