KB Financial Group said on Thursday it won the top 'AAA' grade for a fifth consecutive time in MSCI's 2026 MSCI ESG Ratings, the first South Korean financial company to do so.

MSCI is a global investment research firm that each year evaluates the ESG performance of about 8,500 listed companies worldwide and assigns a seven-tier rating from AAA to CCC. The AAA rating is awarded to companies at the top global level.

KB Financial received high marks across all areas, including governance based on board independence and diversity, a climate risk management system, expanded climate finance, information protection and data security, and inclusive finance practices.

The fifth straight AAA rating is the only such record among South Korean financial companies. This is assessed as the result of delivering tangible performance based on non-financial risk management and a sustainable management system.

KB Financial also received an 'A+' grade across all areas in an ESG assessment by the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability. It is also maintaining a 'Low Risk' grade, the highest level among South Korean financial companies, in Sustainalytics' ESG risk rating.

A KB Financial official said the result showed that ESG management was linked to the group's business strategy and led to tangible performance. The official said the group would continue climate risk management, expand green and transition finance, strengthen customer information protection and practice inclusive finance.