KBC Group, the Belgian bank-insurance group, reported a net profit of €1.142 billion for the third quarter of 2026, slightly below the €1.152 billion recorded in the previous quarter but up from €1.002 billion in Q3 2025. Nine-month net profit reached €2.851 billion, an 11% increase on the same period a year earlier. The group's loan portfolio grew 7% year-on-year, and its common equity ratio under Basel IV stood at 14.6% at the end of September 2026, signalling a robust capital position that investors in European bank-insurance stocks will be watching closely.

Key Points

  • KBC Group (0EYG), Belgian integrated bank-insurance group operating across Belgium, Czech Republic, and International Markets
  • Q3 2026 net profit of €1.142bn; nine-month net profit of €2.851bn, up 11% year-on-year
  • Basic EPS of €2.80 in Q3 2026; parent shareholders' equity per share of €66.1 at period end; interim dividend of €1 per share paid
  • Investors should watch the 11 February 2027 results call, which will include new financial and non-financial guidance on digital transformation

KBC's Belgium and International Markets Units Drive Nine-Month Profit to €2.851bn

KBC Group's Belgium business unit contributed €714 million to net profit in Q3 2026, compared with €747 million in Q2 2026 and €589 million in Q3 2025. The Czech Republic unit delivered €252 million, while International Markets contributed €280 million, up from €240 million in the prior quarter. The Group Centre recorded a charge of €104 million. Chief Executive Johan Thijs noted that total income benefitted from higher insurance revenues, net fee and commission income, trading and fair value income, and net interest income, though net other income and dividend income fell quarter-on-quarter following their seasonal peak in Q2 2026.

Organic Loan Growth of 7% Year-on-Year Already Surpasses KBC's Full-Year 2026 Guidance

KBC Group's loan portfolio grew organically by 2% quarter-on-quarter and 7% year-on-year, with the announcement stating that year-to-date organic loan growth has already exceeded the group's guidance for the full year 2026. Customer deposits, excluding volatile short-term deposits at KBC Bank's foreign branches, fell 1% quarter-on-quarter due to seasonality, retail government bond issuance, and shifts towards asset management products, but rose 3% year-on-year. The group's credit cost ratio improved to 12 basis points for the first nine months of 2026, excluding reserves for geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties and the recent acquisition of 365.bank.

Basel IV Common Equity Ratio of 14.6% and €1 Interim Dividend Reflect Strong Capital Position

KBC Group's unfloored fully loaded common equity ratio under Basel IV stood at 14.6% at the end of September 2026. The group's liquidity position was described as very solid, with a Liquidity Coverage Ratio of 157% and a Net Stable Funding Ratio of 131%. In line with its dividend policy, KBC paid an interim dividend of €1 per share as an advance on the total dividend for financial year 2026. Operating expenses, disregarding bank and insurance taxes, rose 3% quarter-on-quarter, though the announcement states they remained in line with full-year 2026 guidance on a like-for-like basis.

Kate Digital Assistant Reaches 6.4 Million Customers as KBC Mobile Named World's Best App for Third Consecutive Year

KBC's digital assistant, Kate, has reached 6.4 million customers across its core markets and autonomously resolves more than 75% of customer queries, according to the announcement. The group's 'MyMobility' ecosphere has onboarded approximately 450,000 customers in Belgium and the Czech Republic, while close to 90,000 Belgian customers have joined the 'MyHome' ecosphere. KBC Mobile has been named the world's best mobile banking app for the third consecutive year by independent research firm Sia. KBC also confirmed it will host a digital transformation event alongside its Q4 and full-year 2026 results call on 11 February 2027, at which new financial and non-financial guidance will be provided.