KB Financial Group reported record earnings nearing 4 trillion won for the first half of 2026. The contribution of its securities subsidiary to the group's performance rose to 21%, with the non-banking sector's share expanding to 44%, driving overall growth.
On July 23, KB Financial announced a net profit of 3.8846 trillion won for the first half of 2026, marking a 13.1% increase compared to the same period last year, the highest level ever recorded.
In the second quarter, net profit reached 1.9922 trillion won, a 5.3% increase from the first quarter, also the largest quarterly profit to date. Notably, the non-banking sector accounted for 44% of the group's earnings, reflecting balanced growth across subsidiaries.
KB Financial stated, "Despite increased volatility in financial markets due to rising exchange rates, interest rates, and geopolitical risks, substantial growth in fee income, supported by a stable interest income base, drove our performance."
The surge in performance was largely attributed to net fee income from securities brokerage. The stock market saw heightened activity, with the KOSPI index surpassing 9,000 points in the first half.
Net fee income for the first half totaled 2.9612 trillion won, a 50.6% increase from the previous year. In the second quarter alone, net fee income reached 1.6019 trillion won, up 17.8% year-on-year, setting a new quarterly record.
Interest income also remained robust, with net interest income for the first half at 6.4783 trillion won, a 1.7% increase from the same period last year. However, net interest income for the second quarter fell to 2.7440 trillion won, a 5.7% decrease from the previous quarter due to a narrowing net interest margin (NIM).
As of the end of June, the group's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio stood at a stable 0.67%. The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio and BIS capital adequacy ratio were maintained at industry-leading levels of 13.74% and 15.91%, respectively.
By subsidiary, KB Kookmin Bank reported a net profit of 2.2254 trillion won for the first half, a 1.7% increase from the previous year. This growth occurred as the impact of one-time large provisions from the previous year faded, and interest income was managed stably while asset management fee income expanded.
KB Securities recorded a net profit of 796.3 billion won for the first half, a 135% increase year-on-year, driven by broad revenue growth in key sectors such as wealth management amid a capital market boom. During the same period, KB Insurance reported a net profit of 478.8 billion won, while KB Kookmin Card posted 218.9 billion won. KB Life's net profit decreased by 20.4% year-on-year to 150.4 billion won.
On the same day, KB Financial's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of 1,155 won per share and a share buyback and cancellation plan worth 700 billion won. This brings the total shareholder return for the year to an estimated 3.7 trillion won.
On July 23, KB Financial announced a net profit of 3.8846 trillion won for the first half of 2026, marking a 13.1% increase compared to the same period last year, the highest level ever recorded.
In the second quarter, net profit reached 1.9922 trillion won, a 5.3% increase from the first quarter, also the largest quarterly profit to date. Notably, the non-banking sector accounted for 44% of the group's earnings, reflecting balanced growth across subsidiaries.
KB Financial stated, "Despite increased volatility in financial markets due to rising exchange rates, interest rates, and geopolitical risks, substantial growth in fee income, supported by a stable interest income base, drove our performance."
The surge in performance was largely attributed to net fee income from securities brokerage. The stock market saw heightened activity, with the KOSPI index surpassing 9,000 points in the first half.
Net fee income for the first half totaled 2.9612 trillion won, a 50.6% increase from the previous year. In the second quarter alone, net fee income reached 1.6019 trillion won, up 17.8% year-on-year, setting a new quarterly record.
Interest income also remained robust, with net interest income for the first half at 6.4783 trillion won, a 1.7% increase from the same period last year. However, net interest income for the second quarter fell to 2.7440 trillion won, a 5.7% decrease from the previous quarter due to a narrowing net interest margin (NIM).
As of the end of June, the group's non-performing loan (NPL) ratio stood at a stable 0.67%. The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio and BIS capital adequacy ratio were maintained at industry-leading levels of 13.74% and 15.91%, respectively.
By subsidiary, KB Kookmin Bank reported a net profit of 2.2254 trillion won for the first half, a 1.7% increase from the previous year. This growth occurred as the impact of one-time large provisions from the previous year faded, and interest income was managed stably while asset management fee income expanded.
KB Securities recorded a net profit of 796.3 billion won for the first half, a 135% increase year-on-year, driven by broad revenue growth in key sectors such as wealth management amid a capital market boom. During the same period, KB Insurance reported a net profit of 478.8 billion won, while KB Kookmin Card posted 218.9 billion won. KB Life's net profit decreased by 20.4% year-on-year to 150.4 billion won.
On the same day, KB Financial's board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of 1,155 won per share and a share buyback and cancellation plan worth 700 billion won. This brings the total shareholder return for the year to an estimated 3.7 trillion won.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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