KB Financial (KB) lifts 2025 dividend 31.7% and earns high-dividend status
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
KB Financial Group Inc. has determined it is eligible as a “High-Dividend Company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation, aligning with its Corporate Value Enhancement Plan.
For 2025, the dividend payout ratio is 27.0%, with dividends of KRW 1,577,773,973,000, up from KRW 1,198,257,051,216 for 2024, reflecting a 31.7% dividend growth rate. The Plan targets using capital above a 13% CET1 ratio for shareholder returns in Phase 1, and above 13.5% in Phase 2 for additional buybacks and cancellations. These targets may change depending on economic conditions, regulation, capital forecasts, and strategic objectives.
Positive
- Significant dividend growth: 2025 dividends total KRW 1,577,773,973,000 versus KRW 1,198,257,051,216 for 2024, a 31.7% increase, alongside a 2025 dividend payout ratio of 27.0%.
- Structured shareholder return framework: The Corporate Value Enhancement Plan commits excess capital above 13% and 13.5% CET1 thresholds to dividends and share buybacks, signaling a clear capital return policy.
- High-dividend tax status: Confirmation as an eligible “High-Dividend Company” under Korean tax law may enhance the attractiveness of the stock for income-focused investors subject to that regime.
Negative
- None.
Insights
KB Financial pairs strong dividend growth with a structured capital return framework.
KB Financial confirms eligibility as a “High-Dividend Company,” which is tied to specific Korean tax rules. This status, combined with a 27.0% 2025 payout ratio, formalizes its positioning as a dividend-focused financial group.
Dividends rose from KRW 1,198,257,051,216 for 2024 to KRW 1,577,773,973,000 for 2025, a 31.7% increase. Management links this to a two-phase Corporate Value Enhancement Plan anchored on CET1 thresholds of 13% and 13.5% for allocating excess capital.
The company notes these capital return goals are forward-looking and may change with economic conditions, regulatory shifts, capital ratio forecasts, and inorganic growth plans. Subsequent disclosures around CET1 levels and future Plan updates in filings covering 2026 performance will clarify how consistently these targets are applied.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March 2026
Commission File Number: 000-53445
KB Financial Group Inc.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
26, Gukjegeumyung-ro 8-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07331, Korea
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Determination of Eligibility as a “High-Dividend Company”
On March 27, 2026, KB Financial Group Inc. (the “Company”) disclosed that it has determined that it met the requirements to be eligible as a “High-Dividend Company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation, in furtherance of its Corporate Value Enhancement Plan (the “Plan”) as disclosed on its website (www.kbfg.com) on October 24, 2024.
Details of The Determination on The Eligibility as a “High-Dividend Company”
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1. Key Details |
This disclosure is related to whether the Company qualifies as a “High-Dividend Company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation. The Company disclosed details of its shareholder returns and dividends through its disclosure of the Plan, the key details of which are as follows:
• Shareholder Return Phase 1: Aim to utilize the capital equivalent to an amount exceeding 13% of the previous year-end CET1 ratio as resources for shareholder returns in the following year through equal quarterly cash dividends (on a total annual amount basis) and share buybacks and cancellations.
• Shareholder Return Phase 2: Based on the profits accumulated throughout the year, aim to utilize the capital equivalent to an amount exceeding 13.5% of the CET1 ratio of the second half of the year as resources for additional shareholder returns through share buybacks and cancellations.
* The above details are subject to change based on economic uncertainty, regulatory environment, capital ratio forecasts, and the Company’s strategic objectives, including inorganic growth initiatives. |
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2. Eligibility as a “High-Dividend Company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation |
Eligible |
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| Dividend payout ratio for 2025 |
27.0% | |||||
| Amount of dividends for 2025 (KRW) |
1,577,773,973,000 | |||||
| Amount of dividends for 2024 (KRW) |
1,198,257,051,216 | |||||
| Dividend growth rate from 2024 to 2025 |
31.7% | |||||
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3. Other important details to be considered for investment decisions |
• For detailed information regarding the Plan, please refer to the Form 6-Ks titled “Corporate Value Enhancement Plan of KB Financial Group,” furnished on October 24, 2024, and “Progress Report on Corporate Value Enhancement Plan of KB Financial Group Inc.,” furnished on April 24, 2025.
• Item “1. Key Details” above contains forward-looking statements and is subject to change based on changes in market conditions and the business environment.
• On February 5, 2026, the board of directors of the Company determined and resolved that the Company is eligible as a “High-Dividend Company,” and on March 26, 2026, the year-end dividend payment for fiscal year 2025 was approved and ratified at the annual general meeting of shareholders for fiscal year 2025. |
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The determination that the Company qualifies as a “High-Dividend Company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation is based on the Company’s internal assessment. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| KB Financial Group Inc. | ||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||
| Date: March 27, 2026 | By: | /s/ Sang Rok Na | ||||
| (Signature) | ||||||
| Name: Sang Rok Na | ||||||
| Title: Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||