Banking unit earns 557.3 billion won, down 113.1 billion won year-on-year

Non-banking unit posts 213.7 billion won, up 47.7 billion won from a year earlier

Board approves second-half buyback of 60 billion won

An exterior view of BNK Financial Group [BNK Financial Group]
An exterior view of BNK Financial Group [BNK Financial Group]

BNK Financial Group said Monday its cumulative consolidated net profit for the period attributable to controlling interests reached 622.3 billion won ($470 million) in the first three quarters of 2026, down 147.7 billion won, or 19.2 percent, from the same period a year earlier.

A BNK Financial Group official said operating profit increased but overall net profit declined year-on-year due to the absence of a one-time gain of 100.9 billion won recorded last year from the sale of BNK Gangnam Core Office, as well as a drop in non-interest income.

The banking unit posted net profit for the period of 557.3 billion won, down 113.1 billion won from a year earlier — with Busan Bank accounting for 99.1 billion won of the decline and Kyongnam Bank for 14 billion won. The non-banking unit earned 213.7 billion won, up 47.7 billion won year-on-year, with gains spread across its capital arm (7.8 billion won), investment securities unit (20.8 billion won), savings bank (4.4 billion won), asset management arm (13.7 billion won) and venture investment unit (800 million won).

The group's substandard-and-below loan ratio, a key asset quality indicator, improved by 1 basis point to 1.45 percent from the second quarter, while the delinquency rate rose 6 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 1.40 percent. Asset quality indicators remain somewhat below the industry average, requiring continued management attention.

The common equity tier 1 ratio rose 4 basis points from the previous quarter to 12.18 percent, supported by efficient management of risk-weighted assets and growth in retained earnings. The group said the improvement strengthens its capacity to absorb future credit risks and expand shareholder returns.

Meanwhile, BNK Financial Group's board of directors Monday approved a quarterly cash dividend of 150 won per share and a second-half share buyback worth 60 billion won to enhance shareholder value.

Group Executive Vice President and CFO Park Seong-uk said the year-on-year decline in net profit reflected the absence of last year's one-time gains and a drop in non-interest income. "We will steadily push forward with the profitability improvement tasks under Value-up 2.0, announced in September, and work to raise operational efficiency and productivity to live up to the market's trust," he said.


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com