OCBC stock: Data-center lending stays below 3% of loans

Published on 11/13/2026 at 15:24 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

OCBC stock is in focus after record third-quarter banking profit and steady capital. The bank's loan growth continued as higher funding costs narrowed margins.

What the latest analysis adds

OCBC is expanding corporate lending while focusing on contracted cash flows and borrower quality.
Customer-driven trading income and balance-sheet measures are helping offset pressure on lending margins.
Stable capital and improving asset quality support further growth, but returns remain tied to funding costs and risk discipline.

OCBC, SG1S04926220, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

OCBC's data-center financing remains below 3% of its loan book, while the bank is applying stricter conditions to projects seeking funding. The Asian Banker published the analysis on Thursday, November 12, 2026, adding detail to OCBC's latest lending strategy and capital position.

The Asian Banker said OCBC's data-center exposure was below the level initially cited by management, with artificial-intelligence-related exposure below 1% of the loan book. The bank favors projects backed by established hyperscalers, secured electricity supply and customer commitments, rather than standalone developments dependent on future demand.

Loan growth meets margin pressure

The analysis said banking profit rose 16% year on year to SGD 1.90 billion in the third quarter of 2026, while group net profit increased 3% to SGD 2.04 billion. Customer loans reached SGD 372 billion, and the non-performing loan ratio improved to 0.8%.

Net interest income increased to SGD 2.31 billion, but the net interest margin narrowed to 1.66% as US dollar funding costs rose faster than asset yields. Customer-flow trading income rose 29% to a record SGD 480 million, giving OCBC an additional earnings stream beyond lending spreads.

Capital remains central to expansion

OCBC's fully phased-in common equity tier 1 ratio held at 14% at the end of September after a decline earlier in the year. The bank attributed the stability to profit generation and balance-sheet measures, including bond portfolio management and hedging.

For investors, the latest lending detail points to a trade-off between loan growth and returns on capital. Expansion into technology, infrastructure, transportation, power and utilities can support customer income, but funding costs, credit quality and the capital consumed by each exposure will remain key factors.