KB Financial Group Posts Record-High Half-Year Profit of 3.8846 Trillion Won, Plans to Return 3.7 Trillion Won to Shareholders

KB Financial Group achieved a half-year profit exceeding 3.8 trillion won, setting a new record for the period. Improved performance from non-banking subsidiaries and increased fee income drove the strong results. The company plans to buy back and cancel 7000 billion won in shares during the year, as part of its 3.7 trillion won shareholder return policy. Second-quarter profit reached 1.9922 trillion won, surpassing the first-quarter result and marking another quarterly record. Combined growth in interest and non-interest income, along with strong performance from securities and card businesses, contributed to the results. Non-interest income rose 33.3% year-over-year to 3.6292 trillion won, driven by increased securities fee income and recovery in card fee revenue. Interest income also grew 1.7% to 6.4783 trillion won, supported by stable funding costs and increased domestic loan activity. Non-banking subsidiaries accounted for 44% of the group's net income, with KB Securities contributing 7963 billion won in profit, a 135% increase year-over-year. However, insurance subsidiaries underperformed, with KB Insurance reporting a 14.2% decline in profit due to rising claim ratios.