ChainCatcher reported that according to 21st Century Business Herald, Chen Yongfu, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Industry Research's banking and fintech industry, said that it is expected that by 2024, due to rapid revenue growth and a stable cost base, the comprehensive losses of Hong Kong's virtual banks will shrink to HK$2 billion or less; operating expenses may fall below HK$3.2 billion.
Last year, the eight virtual banks generally recorded an increase in net interest income, with MOX BANK, Fusion Bank, Li & Fung Bank and Ant Bank (Hong Kong) recording an increase of more than 100%. However, the net interest income of PAO Bank and Air Star Bank decreased compared with the previous year, down 14% and 32% year-on-year respectively.
In addition, Ant Bank has the smallest loss, with a net loss of about HK$180 million after tax in 2023. Its net interest income in 2023 was HK$58.419 million, a year-on-year increase of 291%. In the same year, customer deposits were HK$633.822 million, a year-on-year increase of 79%; customer loans were HK$314.375 million, a year-on-year increase of 573%.
According to the financial report, PAO Bank's technology-related expenditure in 2023 will total approximately HK$60.61 million, while Air China Bank's technology-related expenditure will be approximately HK$72.67 million, accounting for approximately 24% and 30% of the two banks' total expenditure in 2023, respectively.