First-quarter results at South Korea\'s four biggest financial holding groups were decided by non-interest income and the competitiveness of non-bank units, with net interest income holding steady. A stock market recovery and money flows lifted fees and capital markets earnings, widening performance gaps. Combined net profit rose 8.1 percent from a year earlier to 53.3 trillion won, topping 50 trillion won for the first time. KB Financial remained No. 1, while Woori Financial was the only group to post a decline due to one-off factors.

NH Investment & Securities said on Thursday it decided at an extraordinary board meeting to shift to a co-CEO management structure. The company plans to run key business divisions under a specialized, accountable management system. It expects the change to improve execution and speed up decision-making, while linking growth in client assets with investment banking capabilities to bolster its medium- to long-term growth base. The board also plans to put in place safeguards in stages.