Seoul: South Korean financial holding companies' combined net profit rose almost 10 percent in the first half of the year from a year earlier, helped by high interest incomes and investment gains, data showed Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the country's 10 financial holding firms reported an estimated net profit of 15.4 trillion won (US$10.8 billion) in the January-June period, up 9.9 percent from 14.06 trillion won a year earlier. The data was compiled by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).

The 10 firms include KB Financial Group Inc., Shinhan Financial Group, NongHyup Financial Group, Hana Financial Group, Woori Financial Group, BNK Financial Group, DGB Financial Group, JB Financial Group, Korea Investment Holdings Co., and Meritz Financial Group. These firms collectively have 329 financial affiliates, encompassing banks, insurers, and financial investment firms.

As of the end of June, the 10 holding groups had a combined 3,867.5 trillion won in assets, marking an increase of 112.8 trillion won from the end of last year. During the same period, their non-performing loan (NPL) ratio rose to 1.04 percent, up 0.14 percentage point.