Why did KakaoBank say its first-half profit rose to a record level?

The bank said steady loan growth and higher fee and platform income continued to lift earnings. Non-interest income, including investment services, debit card fees and bond interest, made up 36 percent of total revenue.

How much did KakaoBank grow its customer base and lending business in the first half of 2026?

KakaoBank said its customer base expanded to 27.63 million, with about 1 million new users joining in the first six months. Its loan portfolio reached 48.2 trillion won, and loans to sole proprietors made up 48 percent of net loan growth.

What new business moves is KakaoBank pursuing beyond traditional banking?

The lender said it signed an agreement in June to acquire Marston Capital, marking entry into the nonbank lending market. It is also building partnerships in Indonesia, Thailand and Mongolia, and plans to complete an investment in M Bank later this year.

KakaoBank posts record $230 mil. H1 profit on loan, fee income growth

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Summary

KakaoBank posted a record first-half net profit of 328 billion won in the January-June period, up 24.4 percent from a year earlier, as loan growth and higher fee and platform income lifted earnings. Operating revenue rose 5.5 percent to 1.65 trillion won, and non-interest income accounted for 36 percent of total revenue. The lender also expanded its customer base to 27.63 million and said it is broadening into nonbank lending and overseas partnerships.

Key Facts

Its loan portfolio stood at 48.2 trillion won at the end of the second quarter.
Loans to sole proprietors accounted for 48 percent of net loan growth in the first half.
KakaoBank said roughly 1 million new users joined during the first six months of the year, bringing the customer base to 27.63 million.
In June, the bank signed an agreement to acquire a 100 percent stake in Marston Capital to enter the nonbank lending market.
Later this year, it plans to complete an investment in M Bank, the digital banking arm of Mongolia’s MCS Group.

By Park Han-sol

Published Aug 5, 2026 2:59 pm KST

KakaoBank logo / Courtesy of KakaoBank

KakaoBank posted a record first-half net profit of 328 billion won ($230 million), up 24.4 percent from a year earlier, as steady loan growth and higher fee and platform income continued to lift earnings, the internet-only lender said Wednesday.

Operating revenue rose 5.5 percent on-year to 1.65 trillion won during the January-June period. Non-interest income — including investment services offered through its platform, debit card fees and bond interest — accounted for 36 percent of the total, underscoring the bank’s efforts to diversify its revenue streams.

Its loan portfolio stood at 48.2 trillion won at the end of the second quarter. While maintaining tight control over household lending, the bank continued extending credit to borrowers with low and mid-range credit scores, as well as self-employed workers and small business owners. Loans to sole proprietors accounted for 48 percent of net loan growth in the first half.

The company said its customer base expanded to 27.63 million, with roughly 1 million new users joining during the first six months of the year. The lender expects deposit growth to continue as it broadens its product lineup, including a foreign currency account launched in June and new services for foreign residents scheduled later this year.

KakaoBank is also pushing to broaden its business beyond traditional banking. In June, it signed an agreement to acquire a 100 percent stake in Marston Capital, marking its entry into the nonbank lending market.

Overseas expansion remains another key focus. KakaoBank is building partnerships across major Asian markets, including Indonesia, Thailand and Mongolia. Later this year, it plans to complete an investment in M Bank, the digital banking arm of Mongolia’s MCS Group, while pursuing joint projects such as a credit assessment enhancement program for the conglomerate’s financial affiliates.

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