South Korean financial holding firms post record H1 net profit of 17.6 trillion won
In short
South Korea's 10 financial holding companies earned a combined consolidated net profit of 17.6 trillion won in the first half of 2026, up 2.2 trillion won (13.7%) from a year earlier, according to preliminary Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) data. Several outlets reported it as the highest half-year result on record. Securities and other financial-investment profits rose 72.8% while bank profits fell 7.9%, and asset-quality indicators weakened.
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South Korea's 10 financial holding companies earned a combined consolidated net profit of 17.6 trillion won in the first half of 2026, up 2.2 trillion won, or 13.7%, from the same period a year earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service's preliminary 'H1 2026 financial holding company business results'. Asia Economy put the year-earlier figure at 15.4 trillion won. Asia Economy, Yonhap, Chosun Ilbo and CBS NoCut News described the result as the highest on record for a half-year. Yonhap and NoCut News reported that it equals 65.9% of the 26.7 trillion won the groups earned in all of last year. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The FSS attributed the gains to higher fee and securities income from a strong stock market and to larger foreign-exchange gains as currency and interest-rate volatility increased, Yonhap reported. Yonhap and Chosun Ilbo also said interest income, including from corporate lending, rose. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
By subsidiary-level net profit, financial investment rose 2.1 trillion won (72.8%), insurance 200 billion won (6.5%) and specialised credit finance companies 500 billion won (36.8%), while banks fell 800 billion won (7.9%). Asia Economy put individual profit at 9.6 trillion won for banks, 5.1 trillion for financial investment, 2.5 trillion for insurance and 1.8 trillion for credit finance firms. Banks' share of profit fell 11.9 points to 47.1%, financial investment rose 8.3 points to 24.9%, insurance fell 1.0 point to 12.3% and credit finance firms rose 1.4 points to 9.0%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Consolidated total assets reached 4,391 trillion won at end-June, up 323.6 trillion won (8.0%) from the end of last year. Financial-investment assets rose 27.0% to 637.8 trillion won, or 14.5% of the total, while bank assets grew 6.1% and insurance assets fell 1.1%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Bank holding companies' common equity Tier 1 ratio rose 0.21 points to 13.36%, the Tier 1 ratio rose 0.10 points to 14.91% and the total capital ratio stayed at 15.75%. Yonhap reported the capital ratio of the two non-bank holding companies, Korea Investment and Meritz, at 162.49%. The non-performing loan ratio rose 0.08 points to 1.03% and loan-loss reserve coverage fell 10.3 points to 96.5%. The debt ratio rose to 33.1% and the double leverage ratio to 117.3%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
The FSS said that while the groups continue to post solid results, the bad-loan ratio is rising and the weight of market-sensitive financial investment is growing. It said it would check potential risks from high-risk asset growth, strengthen monitoring of unsound sales practices and encourage the groups to expand loss-absorbing capacity and fulfil their social responsibilities. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
Why it matters
The figures show earnings at the groups shifting from banking toward market-sensitive financial investment, with banks' share of profit falling to 47.1%. The FSS said rising bad-loan ratios and the larger weight of market-sensitive businesses increase the need for soundness management, and it plans to push the groups to strengthen loss-absorbing capacity and to monitor high-risk asset growth.
Key facts
- Consolidated net profit of the 10 financial holding companies was 17.6 trillion won in H1 2026, up 2.2 trillion won (13.7%) year on year. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The 10 groups are KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, NH Nonghyup, iM, BNK, JB, Korea Investment and Meritz. [ 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Financial-investment profit rose 72.8% (2.1 trillion won) while bank profit fell 7.9% (800 billion won); insurance rose 6.5% and specialised credit finance companies rose 36.8%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Banks' share of profit fell 11.9 percentage points to 47.1%; financial investment's share rose 8.3 points to 24.9%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Consolidated total assets were 4,391 trillion won at end-June, up 323.6 trillion won from end-2025. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The non-performing loan ratio rose 0.08 points to 1.03%, and the loan-loss reserve coverage ratio fell 10.3 points to 96.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Bank holding companies' common equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.36%, up 0.21 points; total capital ratio held at 15.75%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- H1 2026 consolidated net profit of the 10 financial holding companies was 17.6 trillion won, up 13.7%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The result is the highest half-year profit on record. [ 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- Financial-investment profit rose 72.8% while bank profit fell 7.9%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The non-performing loan ratio rose to 1.03% and loan-loss reserve coverage fell to 96.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Consolidated total assets reached 4,391 trillion won at end-June. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The date the FSS released the figures. Electronic Times said the FSS announced the results on the 7th, while Asia Economy, Yonhap and NoCut News said the 8th.
- Individual profit amounts by sector (banks 9.6 trillion won, financial investment 5.1 trillion won). Only Asia Economy reported these amounts.
- Non-bank holding companies' capital ratio of 162.49%. Only Yonhap reported this figure.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Electronic Times, Asia Economy and Yonhap publish reports on the FSS's H1 financial holding company results. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the record profit, saying securities rather than banks drove earnings. [ 5 ]
- CBS NoCut News reports the results, highlighting the 72.8% rise in financial-investment profit. [ 6 ]