Mizuho Fourth Quarter Profit Jumps 661 Percent
Japan's third-largest lender recorded a net profit of 228.7 billion yen for the January to March period. The bank achieved record annual earnings of 1.25 trillion yen and announced a 100 billion yen share buyback amid rising interest rates and stronger loan demand.
MIZUHO FINANCIAL GROUP INC reported a 661% jump in fourth-quarter net profit to 228.7 billion yen ($1.44 billion) on Friday. The result follows a record annual net profit of 1.25 trillion yen for the fiscal year. Rising interest rates and increased loan demand are boosting bank profitability in Japan.
### Higher Rates Drive Record Returns The lender's domestic loan balance rose to 57.8 trillion yen by late March, up from 56.9 trillion yen a year earlier. Net interest margins improved to 1.1% for the 2025/26 financial year, compared to 0.92% in the previous period. These gains follow three interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan since March 2024.
