KB Financial retains profit crown with record W5.79tr earnings

What happened: KB Financial Group reported record net profit for the first nine months of 2026, keeping its lead over domestic banking rivals as fee income from securities trading and investment products rose. Key numbers: Nine-month net profit 5.79 trillion won, up 13.1 percent on-year. Why it matters: Fee income fell nearly 30 percent in the third quarter as stock market activity cooled, and KB Securities' quarterly net profit dropped about 40 percent, showing the earnings momentum slowed late in the period. Coverage: 5 outlets in 24h

KB Financial Group reported record net profit for the first nine months of 2026, keeping its lead over domestic banking rivals as fee income from securities trading and investment products rose.

Fee income fell nearly 30 percent in the third quarter as stock market activity cooled, and KB Securities' quarterly net profit dropped about 40 percent, showing the earnings momentum slowed late in the period.