In a result that may well be dominated by the royal commission, CBA is expected by analysts to deliver a profit of $4.9 billion. This would be a slight increase on last year's result of $4.7 billion, which was also dragged down by hefty spending on fines and compliance.

Loading

In response to the soft conditions for bank profits, there is mounting pressure on lenders to cut costs, although some bank-watchers believe CBA is unlikely to announce deep cuts only two days after the royal commission.

Principal at fund manager Alphinity, Andrew Martin, said the bank's revenue is likely to benefit from its decision to increase interest rates in September last year, but the environment facing banks was "tough."

"It's a reasonably tough market that they're in," Mr Martin said.

Cost cutting was likely at some time over the next year, Mr Martin said, as this was the "natural response" of banks to slowing revenue and increases in other costs out of their control, such as those for compliance.

"They [banks] are all talking about costs because that's the only thing they can potentially control," Mr Martin said.

Credit Suisse analyst Jarrod Martin said the broker was "looking for strengthening cost discipline," pointing to signs of a tighter leash on expenses in recent results.

CBA is tipped to pay an interim dividend of $2.02, a 2c increase, according to market estimates cited by Mr Martin.

UBS analyst Jonathan Mott said  said CBA was likely to deliver a "messy" result, due to large items including remediation costs, and the impact of divisional restructures as it splits off its funds management and wealth arms.

Loading

The underlying performance of CBA's business should be "solid," due in part to its increase in interest rates last year, Mr Mott said, but growth in its loan book would be "very subdued" as a result of the slump in the housing market and the number of loans to big businesses maturing.

Mr Mott said the outlook for banks was "very challenging," but he maintains a "neutral" view on CBA, given its strong position in retail banking.

"In difficult times we expect customers and investors to gravitate towards CBA's premium franchise," Mr Mott wrote.

Following the royal commission's report, CBA is likely to face investor questions over its responsible lending, mortgage broker pay, further compensation costs, and the impact of a credit squeeze, Mr Mott said.

CBA shares have fallen by about 14 per cent in the past year, closing at $69.76 on Friday, as shares of all in the big four have been hit hard by the royal commission and weakening credit growth.