BNK Financial Group recorded improved first-quarter results, helped by increased net interest income and lower credit loss costs. Asset quality indicators worsened, including a rise in the delinquency ratio.

BNK Financial said on April 30 that its consolidated net profit for the first quarter of 2026 rose 448 billion won, or 26.9%, from a year earlier to 211.4 billion won.

Its banking unit posted net profit of 175.6 billion won, up 20.6 billion won. Busan Bank rose 22.5 billion won to 108.1 billion won, while Kyongnam Bank fell 1.9 billion won to 67.5 billion won.

The non-bank unit rose 25.3 billion won to 59.6 billion won, showing growth. Capital, investment securities and asset management helped lead the improvement.

The non-performing loan ratio rose 15 basis points from the previous quarter to 1.57 percent, and the delinquency ratio rose 28 basis points to 1.42 percent, slightly worsening asset quality indicators. The company said the impact of a slowing economy was reflected.

Capital adequacy improved slightly. The common equity tier 1 ratio rose 5 basis points from a year earlier to 12.30 percent. It said the result reflected risk-weighted asset management and the effects of profit accumulation.

Its shareholder return policy was also expanded. The board approved a quarterly cash dividend of 150 won per share and decided to pursue a 60 billion won share buyback and cancellation plan in the first half.

Park Sung-wook (박성욱), BNK Financial CFO, said it plans to strengthen shareholder returns by increasing the scale of share buybacks and cancellation from a year earlier. He said it will continue to pursue improving shareholder value along with a stable dividend.