하나은행 약진에 신한은행과 '양강'…500억差 리딩뱅크 판도 안갯속

South Korea's major commercial banks saw profitability gaps collapse to just ₩561 billion in Q1 2026, ending the traditional KB Kookmin versus Shinhan duopoly. Bank rankings are now determined by cost management and accounting provisions rather than revenue alone, representing a fundamental shift in competitive dynamics. This structural change means quarterly leadership may rotate among banks, introducing volatility and requiring comprehensive assessment beyond simple profit metrics.