SINGAPORE (April 26): Hong Leong Finance reported a 57% increase in 1Q18 earnings to S$25.9 million from a year ago.

For the three months to March, total interest income and hiring charges increased by 11.5% due to an increase in average loan base and a higher loan yield.

Interest expense for the quarter fell 14.3% to S$30.7 million. This was due to lower interest payable on deposits resulting from lower applicable interest rates offset by...(click on link for full story on theedgesingapore.com)