KB Securities said on Feb. 5 it posted annual operating profit of 911.6 billion won last year, pretax profit of 906.9 billion won and net profit of 682.4 billion won. The figures grew 17 percent, 21 percent and 16 percent, respectively, from a year earlier.

Its wealth management business exceeded 200 trillion won in total client assets and 1 trillion won in total operating profit, laying a stable foundation for growth.

KB Securities explained that it built a balanced wealth management portfolio by offering tailored products and services and strengthening asset growth marketing based on digital channels. It added that digital profitability also improved sharply as convenience on its financial product platform was enhanced.

Its investment banking business also continued steady results focused on corporate finance amid an uncertain market environment at home and abroad.

In debt capital markets, it defended its No. 1 position in the DCM market based on Bloomberg data, backed by competitive advantages including the largest accumulated amount and the most lead-manager mandates last year. In equity capital markets, it completed 11 listings based on the successful listing of LG CNS, a mega-sized initial public offering. It also maintained a top ranking in overall IPO and ECM mandates on the back of 9 rights offerings.

Mergers and acquisitions and acquisition finance successfully completed 9 refinancings for high-quality acquisition financing in Korea and overseas.

It also expanded the scope of its M&A business, a future growth driver, including overseas cross-border deals, demonstrating unmatched capabilities among Korean securities firms.

It also maintained stable profitability in project finance through high-quality deals centered on the Seoul metropolitan area and major cities, as well as HUG-guaranteed deals.

Its trading group expanded equity and mezzanine profits through stronger market responsiveness and strategic asset management. It also secured stable flow-based income from FX and structured products. It also moved to secure future revenue sources by broadening its earnings base in new business areas such as carbon and AI management.

Its wholesale business secured additional revenue sources and strengthened sales competitiveness by activating linked business across divisions and expanding its global sales platform.

It posted results including expanded profits from domestic and global derivatives, stable growth in its prime brokerage service business, increased assets under management from equity funds and stock lending balances, and maintaining the No. 1 market share in the domestic institutional equity market.