DBS said its Hong Kong business recorded a profit of S$1.6 billion (HK$9.19 billion) last year, up over 1.2 percent year-on-year.

Shares jumped after the lender posted earnings in line with expectations and announced an investor payout plan.

However, net interest income in Hong Kong fell 4 percent to nearly S$2.1 billion and net interest margin narrowed by 11 basis points to 1.8 percent. Net fee and commission income rose 25 percent to S$830 million.

Southeast Asia’s biggest lender plans to introduce a dividend of 15 Singapore cents per share per quarter to be paid out over 2025 as a start, DBS said Monday.