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KakaoBank reports record earnings on growing noninterest income
KakaoBank CEO Yun Ho-young speaks during a press conference at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul in this April 18, 2023, photo. Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
KakaoBank posted its strongest-ever half-year performance, reporting an operating profit of 353.2 billion won ($254 million) and a net profit of 263.7 billion won in the first half of 2025, the company said Wednesday.
These figures represent year-on-year increases of 11 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
The surge in earnings was driven by a rise in noninterest income and continued growth in its customer base.
In its regulatory filing, Korea’s largest internet-only bank reported a net profit of 126.3 billion won for the April-June period, marking a 5.1 percent increase from 120.2 billion won during the same period last year.
The bank generated 562.6 billion won in noninterest income — excluding loan interest earnings — in the first half of the year, accounting for 36 percent of its total revenue of 1.56 trillion won. This represents a 30.4 percent increase from the same period a year earlier.
The company attributed the growth to enhanced platform capabilities across lending, investment and payment services, as well as steady revenue expansion in firm banking, open banking and advertising.
Its customer base remains on a steady growth trajectory. By the end of the second quarter, the bank had reached 25.86 million total users and 19.9 million monthly active users.
KakaoBank said it will continue to expand its global footprint while actively launching services powered by artificial intelligence.
“We will continue to pursue inclusive finance and deliver innovative new offerings, leveraging our stable growth to become the top choice for customers as a comprehensive financial platform,” a KakaoBank official said.