Yokohama Financial Group, Inc. Full-Year Earnings Flash

Net income reached JPY 106.5B, marking five consecutive years of profit growth, driven by expansion in fund profits and the consolidation of L&F Asset Finance as a subsidiary

PublishedMay 12, 2026 at 20:50 GMT+9

Key Positives From The Results

Recurring profit reached JPY 155.0B (+26.2% YoY) and net income JPY 106.5B (+28.6% YoY), achieving double-digit profit growth. In addition to growth in loan/deposit interest income and fee income driven by deepening solution-based business, the consolidation of L&F Asset Finance (JPY 4.9B in profit contribution) bolstered the earnings base. ROE improved to 7.9% (+1.5pt), with a 9.0% target for next fiscal year, further underscoring the improvement in capital efficiency.

  • Three-bank aggregate core banking profit (excl. investment trust redemption gains/losses) reached JPY 169.6B (+JPY 35.8B YoY), driven by loan/deposit interest income (+JPY 20.9B) and fee income (+JPY 2.4B)
  • Domestic loan yield rose to 1.35% (+0.28pt), with total fund spread at 0.43% (+0.12pt), indicating accelerating margin improvement
  • Outstanding loan balance reached JPY 17,376.3B (three-bank aggregate, domestic branches, +4.2%), with balanced growth in corporate (+7.6%) and retail (+2.1%)
  • Credit-related costs of JPY 7.4B (−JPY 2.0B YoY), with NPL ratio maintained at a low 1.2%
  • Shareholder returns expanded with JPY 40.0B in share buybacks and annual DPS of JPY 38 (payout ratio: 40.4%)

Key Concerns From The Results

Operating expenses rose to JPY 149.8B (+11.7% YoY); while the pace of increase lagged gross profit growth, both G&A and personnel costs expanded. Deposit interest expenses surged to JPY 57.7B (+88.4% YoY) as rising funding costs partially offset fund profit growth, posing a risk to the sustainability of margin improvement depending on the rate environment.

  • OHR improved to 48.7% (consolidated, −2.8pt), but absolute expenses increased JPY 15.7B YoY
  • Deposit interest expenses of JPY 57.7B (+JPY 27.1B YoY); continued funding cost increases could pressure margins
  • Securities-related gains/losses saw expanded losses with JGB bond gains/losses at −JPY 30.4B (five-account basis), reflecting ongoing portfolio rebalancing costs
  • Operating CF at −JPY 121.7B, a net cash outflow; cash flow fluctuations from loan growth warrant attention
  • Higashi-Nippon Bank's core banking profit of JPY 8.9B (−JPY 0.7B YoY) was sluggish, with earnings concentration within the group intensifying

Focus Areas / Items To Monitor Going Forward

  • Feasibility of L&F Asset Finance's planned profit contribution of JPY 5.3B (+JPY 0.4B) for next fiscal year. Key focus areas are credit cost trends specific to real estate-secured lending and the pace of customer synergy realization with Bank of Yokohama
  • Whether consolidated net income of JPY 129.0B (+21.1%) and ROE of 9.0% can be achieved next fiscal year. The three-bank aggregate adjusted banking profit plan of JPY 177.0B (+JPY 37.9B) assumes both further loan yield improvement and expense ratio containment
  • Progress on non-banking expansion, including the 15% equity stake in Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Panasonic Finance. Timing and scale of earnings contribution from leasing and comprehensive financial services
Discussion Points For Management
  • Scenarios for maintaining/expanding the loan-deposit spread amid continued deposit interest rate increases
  • Credit cost trends and provisioning policy for foreign national and elderly borrower loans at L&F Asset Finance
  • Specific measures and timeline for recovering core banking profit at Higashi-Nippon Bank
  • Securities portfolio rebalancing policy and outlook for bond-related gains/losses
  • Share buyback policy for next fiscal year and target total payout ratio
  • Improvement plan for Kanagawa Bank's NPL ratio of 3.0% (highest among the three banks)
  • Background behind the 372-person headcount increase (consolidated: 6,313) and medium-term personnel cost management policy
  • Capital policy direction given a Basel III fully loaded CET1 ratio of approximately 11.4% (excluding unrealized gains/losses on securities)

Key Financial Highlights

ItemValueYoY
Ordinary IncomeJPY 490,724M+22.9%
Recurring ProfitJPY 155,018M+26.2%
Net Income Attributable to Owners of Parent CompanyJPY 106,523M+28.6%
EPSJPY 94.02+31.3%
Comprehensive IncomeJPY 196,514M+236.2%
Consolidated Gross Banking ProfitJPY 307,136M+17.9%
└ Fund ProfitsJPY 260,262M+25.1%
└ Fee IncomeJPY 65,373M+9.5%
Operating ExpensesJPY 149,879M+11.7%
Consolidated Banking ProfitJPY 156,610M+24.8%
Credit-Related CostsJPY 8,982M−17.1%
Total AssetsJPY 25,670,496M+3.5%
Net AssetsJPY 1,418,344M+9.7%
Equity Ratio5.4%+0.3pt
BPSJPY 1,263.05+12.0%
Annual DividendJPY 38.00+JPY 9.00
Payout Ratio40.4%-
ROE (TSE Basis)7.9%+1.5pt

Performance By Business Segment

SegmentRevenueYoYOperating IncomeYoYMargin
Banking (Single Segment)JPY 490,724M+22.9%JPY 155,018M (Recurring Profit)+26.2%31.5%
Strong Performers
  • Bank of Yokohama, Corporate Lending: Outstanding balance of JPY 7,863.0B (+9.1%), with SME lending up +8.8%. Fee income from syndicated loans etc. reached JPY 18.8B (+JPY 3.0B), reflecting the success of solution-based sales
  • Bank of Yokohama, Fee Income: JPY 42.1B (+JPY 2.2B). Corporate deposit/lending business income of JPY 35.6B (+JPY 3.1B) was the key driver, with forex business at JPY 10.1B (+JPY 0.6B) also solid
  • Retail Investment Products: Group-wide outstanding balance reached JPY 3,186.2B (+10.5%). Investment trusts (incl. fund wraps) at JPY 830.2B (+10.7%) and insurance at JPY 1,538.9B (+4.0%), demonstrating expansion of asset management-oriented business
Underperformers
  • Higashi-Nippon Bank: Core banking profit of JPY 8.9B (−JPY 0.7B YoY), with average loan balance declining −JPY 26.1B. NPL ratio of 2.6%, the highest among the three banks, highlighting profitability challenges
  • Other Operating Profit (three-bank aggregate): −JPY 26.1B (−JPY 13.5B YoY). JGB bond gains/losses of −JPY 30.4B (five-account basis) from JGB portfolio rotation and investment trust loss-cutting were a drag

Progress Versus Full-Year Guidance

New guidance for next fiscal year (FY2027/3) has been disclosed. Consolidated recurring profit of JPY 191.5B (+23.5%) and net income of JPY 129.0B (+21.1%) are planned, targeting continued double-digit profit growth. Three-bank aggregate adjusted banking profit of JPY 177.0B (+JPY 37.9B) assumes gross profit expansion through strengthened solution-based business. Credit-related costs are budgeted at a somewhat conservative JPY 10.0B (+JPY 2.6B).

ItemValue (FY2026/3 Full-Year Actual)Next-Year Plan (FY2027/3)YoY
Consolidated Recurring ProfitJPY 155,018MJPY 191,500M+23.5%
Net Income Attributable to Owners of Parent CompanyJPY 106,523MJPY 129,000M+21.1%
Three-Bank Aggregate Core Banking Profit (Excl. Investment Trust Redemption Gains/Losses)JPY 169.6BJPY 185.1B+9.1%
Three-Bank Aggregate Credit-Related CostsJPY 7.4BJPY 10.0B+35.1%
  • As is typical in the banking industry, corporate lending and forex transactions tend to concentrate at fiscal year-end (March)

Changes To Guidance

New guidance for FY2027/3 was announced: consolidated recurring profit of JPY 191.5B (+23.5% YoY) and net income attributable to owners of parent company of JPY 129.0B (+21.1% YoY).

Commentary On Shareholder Returns

Annual DPS for FY2026/3 was JPY 38 (interim JPY 17 + year-end JPY 21), with a payout ratio of 40.4%, representing a JPY 9 increase YoY. Share buybacks totaled JPY 41.7B (treasury shares at period-end: 33,138 thousand shares, +30,009 thousand shares YoY). For FY2027/3, annual DPS of JPY 47 (interim JPY 23 + year-end JPY 24) is forecast, maintaining a payout ratio of approximately 40.4%. The progressive dividend policy will be continued.

Financial Position

Total assets stood at JPY 25.7T and shareholders' equity at JPY 1.4T, expanding the asset base while maintaining a high-quality capital structure with a total capital adequacy ratio of 14.94% and CET1 ratio of 14.42% under Basel III (international standards). Goodwill of JPY 6.6B from the L&F Asset Finance consolidation was recorded in intangible fixed assets, but the impact on financial soundness is limited.

  • Key Figures
  • Leverage Metrics
ItemValueAdditional Information
Total AssetsJPY 25,670,496M+3.5% YoY
LoansJPY 17,667,404M+5.5% YoY
SecuritiesJPY 3,077,662M+5.3% YoY
DepositsJPY 20,877,254M+2.3% YoY
Cash and Due from BanksJPY 4,152,428M−6.6% YoY
Borrowed MoneyJPY 1,976,520M−5.4% YoY
Corporate BondsJPY 35,000M+JPY 35.0B from subordinated bond issuance
Shareholders' EquityJPY 1,403,856M+9.0% YoY
Allowance for Loan LossesJPY 87,144M+5.1% YoY
GoodwillJPY 6,666ML&F Asset Finance consolidation

News Released Alongside The Earnings Announcement

  • 2026/05/12
    Resolved year-end DPS of JPY 21 and annual DPS of JPY 38 for FY2026/3. Announced policy for FY2027/3 targeting annual DPS of JPY 47, maintaining a progressive dividend policy and approximately 40% payout ratio Notice Regarding Dividend Distribution (Year-End Dividend) and Shareholder Returns Policy for FY2027/3

Major Announcements During The Quarter

  • 2026/03/26
    Bank of Yokohama commenced development of a corporate portal/comprehensive digital financial service for SMEs in collaboration with JCB and NTT Data. The initiative plans to sequentially offer invoice management, online lending, corporate cards, and remote account opening, aiming to expand corporate customer touchpoints and solution-based revenue Commencement of Development of Comprehensive Digital Financial Services for SMEs in Collaboration with JCB and NTT Data
  • 2026/03/30
    Yokohama FG entered into a basic agreement to acquire a 15% stake in Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Panasonic Finance and pursue joint business operations with Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank and Fuyo General Lease. This is a strategic investment aimed at strengthening Hamagin Finance's capabilities and expanding leasing and comprehensive financial service functions Basic Agreement on Acquisition of Shares in Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Panasonic Finance (Equity-Method Affiliate)

Large-Shareholding Filings / Material Proposals Over The Past Year

  • Fidelity Investments: New filing → 5.04% (filed 2026/01/09, reporting trigger date 2025/12/31) — Asset management under investment trust articles and discretionary investment contracts
  • Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank (incl. joint holders): 5.16% → 5.19% (filed 2025/09/19, reporting trigger date 2025/09/15) — Policy investment, asset management under investment trust and discretionary investment contracts
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