Hong Kong’s leading banks accelerated median pre-tax profit growth to 16.3% year on year (YOY) in the first half of 2026 (1H2026). HSBC Hong Kong (including Hang Seng Bank) continued to lead the large-scale bank segment in earnings scale and returns, while DBS Hong Kong and CMB Wing Lung Bank delivered stronger growth momentum and profitability among mid-sized banks. Across the sector, growth was increasingly supported by fee-based businesses, wealth management, cross-border activity and digitally-enabled customer engagement, which emerged as key drivers of revenue expansion.