Non-bank lender lifts profit and returns as leverage ticks higher in FY26
Non-bank lender Liberty Group has posted a stronger set of full-year results, with profit, financial assets and shareholder returns all improving as the group's loan book continues to grow.
Profit and assets both climb in FY26
Liberty Group reported statutory net profit after tax of $143.8 million for the year ended 30 June 2026, up 8% on the $133.3 million recorded in FY25. Underlying NPATA, which strips out non-recurring items and amortisation, rose 7% to $155.6 million from $145 million a year earlier. Liberty's own announcement rounded this to "an 8% increase in statutory NPAT to $144 million for the year ended 30 June 2026," with underlying NPATA rounded similarly to $156 million.
The group's financial assets, which include its residential and commercial mortgage book, motor vehicle finance, personal loans and business lending, grew 3% over the year to $15.2 billion, up from $14.7 billion.
Underlying cash return on equity improved to 13.1%, up from 12.1% in FY25, an 8% lift that points to more efficient use of capital across the group's diversified lending businesses. The company's leverage ratio also edged higher, rising 3% to 14x at the end of the period, from 13.6x a year earlier.
Distributions climb alongside a special dividend
According to its annual financial report, Liberty Financial Group Trust — the stapled entity that sits alongside Liberty Financial Group within the wider Liberty Group — distributed $113.8 million to unitholders for the year ended 30 June 2026, up from $96.9 million in FY25. The distribution was paid across four quarterly instalments of around 7.5 cents per unit, plus a final distribution of 7.498564 cents per security, due to be paid on 21 September.
Liberty also confirmed a further interim quarterly unfranked distribution of 8 cents per security for the three months ending 30 September, alongside a fully franked special dividend of 15 cents per security, both payable on the same date.
The trust's annual report also confirmed a change at the top of its board, with Michael Hawker appointed chair on 20 November 2025, succeeding Peter Hawkins, who retired from the role the same day.
For more information, read Liberty Group’s ASX announcements.
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