Hanwha Life Sells $25 Million in Performance-Based Retirement Annuities in 6 Months Hanwha Life said Tuesday that sales of three performance-based retirement pension insurance products reached about 25 billion won in the six months since their launch. As of the end of December 2025, that marks a 397% increase from the 6.3 billion won in assets under management across five existing performance-based insurance funds, the company said. Hanwha Life attributed the growth to product designs that reflect major pension funds’ asset-allocation strategies and to investor confidence in portfolio stability. The “pension asset-allocation” fund spreads investments across domestic and overseas stocks and bonds, as well as derivatives and alternative assets, aiming to manage risk over the long term. The company said it has been selected by multiple organizations as an option for customers who want pension-fund-style management but cannot invest directly. The “dollar MMF” fund seeks interest income by investing in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade bonds. The “long-term bond” fund is built mainly around bonds with maturities of five years or longer and is designed to pursue capital gains when interest rates fall. “Because retirement pensions are managed over a lifetime, long-term stability matters more than short-term performance,” a Hanwha Life official said. The official added that the company will “contribute to revitalizing the retirement pension insurance fund market” by reflecting customer needs and market trends.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-01-28 17:06:00

Lotte Card raises $300 million overseas via asset-backed securities SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - South Korea’s Lotte Card said on Friday it has secured about 4.42 trillion won ($300 million) in overseas funding through the issuance of asset-backed securities. The credit card company, part of the Lotte Group conglomerate, said the funding was raised by issuing asset-backed securities (ABS) backed by credit card sales receivables. Societe Generale participated as an investor, and the securities have an average maturity of three years. Lotte Card said the issuance was structured as a social bond, with all proceeds to be used to provide financial services to low-income customers. Since 2021, the company has raised a cumulative 23.1 trillion won in overseas funding through five rounds of issuance, it added. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-01-23 14:26:25

Samsung closes in on HBM race after winning top marks from Nvidia SEOUL, December 21 (AJP) -South Korea's Samsung Electronics is rapidly closing the gap with local rival SK hynix in the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) race after securing top marks from AI chip frontrunner Nvidia, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power in next-generation memory supply. According Industry sources Sunday, Samsung Electronics recently received the strongest evaluation among memory makers in Nvidia’s HBM4 System-in-Package (SiP) testing, delivering superior operating speed and power efficiency. Nvidia’s requested HBM4 volumes from Samsung for next year are also said to have exceeded the company’s internal expectations, fueling optimism for a strong comeback for the chipmaker amid dire memory shortage from legacy to premium hyperscale chips. The developments narrow the lead held by SK hynix, the pioneer and market leader of HBM, as competition intensifies to supply Nvidia’s next-generation Rubin AI accelerator. Nvidia plans to launch Rubin in the second half of next year. Given that HBM shipments typically begin six to seven months before an AI accelerator launch, full-scale deliveries could start as early as the second quarter, placing the current negotiation window at a critical juncture. As the race accelerates, both Samsung and SK hynix have begun delivering paid final HBM4 samples to Nvidia, moving beyond free prototypes and into a commercially driven, pre-contract phase. Industry officials say paid samples typically indicate that performance has largely met customer specifications and that pricing and volume talks are under way. Market tracker TrendForce said the final outcome is likely to become clearer by mid-to-late quarter, once quality qualification is completed and supply contracts are formally finalized. Volumes and pricing are widely expected to be locked in during the first quarter of 2026. SK hynix confirmed during its third-quarter earnings call that its HBM4 mass-production system is already in place. Industry sources have dismissed rumors of major redesigns, saying the company is now making only minor performance tweaks. Shipments are expected to begin in the fourth quarter, with a full sales ramp next year. Local media reports say SK hynix is currently supplying around 20,000 to 30,000 final HBM4 samples to Nvidia for validation. Samsung, meanwhile, appears to be rebounding after losing ground in the HBM3E cycle. Industry sources say its HBM4 supply talks with Nvidia are nearing completion, positioning Samsung as the likely second-largest supplier after SK hynix. Paid HBM4 samples have already been delivered and are undergoing quality checks within Nvidia’s Rubin platform. Samsung’s Device Solutions division has also cleared Production Readiness Approval (PRA), the final internal gate before volume manufacturing. HBM4 is expected to deliver roughly 60 percent higher bandwidth than current HBM3E products, with Samsung’s early samples already exceeding Nvidia’s next-generation requirement of 11 gigabits per second per pin. The company is using improved 1c-class DRAM combined with a 4-nanometer logic base die, a configuration that helps close the performance gap with rivals while keeping power consumption and thermal output in check at higher speeds. Once Nvidia gives final approval, Samsung can move straight into mass production, with manufacturing lines already prepared. Samsung had already signaled progress during its third-quarter earnings call on Oct. 30, saying HBM4 samples were being shipped to major global customers alongside mass production of HBM3E. The company also confirmed that its foundry arm will prioritize stable 2-nanometer gate-all-around output and HBM4 base-die production in 2026, alongside the ramp-up of its new Taylor, Texas fab. KB Securities in recent report projected that Samsung and SK hynix will command more than 90 percent of global HBM4 demand, with Micron Technology’s share in Nvidia’s Rubin platform likely to remain below 10 percent. TechInsights estimates that Samsung and SK hynix will account for about 80 percent of the HBM market by 2027, when HBM4 becomes the mainstream product. Industry sources say Micron’s initial HBM4 supply to Rubin is expected to be limited, partly due to performance constraints linked to its logic-die manufacturing approach. 2025-12-21 21:28:46

December sees spike in traffic accidents SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - Traffic accidents caused by slippery roads are most frequent in December, according to a study released by insurance company Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance on Thursday. The analysis of some 2,120 accidents from November 2021 to February 2024 found that 53.9 percent occurred in December, compared to 36.6 percent in January. Despite having fewer snowy or rainy days in December, the average number of accidents per day was 82.5, higher than January's 51. The study also found that some 44.9 percent of accidents happened on the day of bad weather and during the following week. In particular, over 80 percent of accidents were concentrated on rainy days. Researcher Jang Hyo-seok, who led the study, said, "The sudden drop in temperatures and snowfall or rain could reduce motorists' driving skills," and advised using public transportation on such days. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-12-04 09:56:36

Samsung Fire & Marine launches English, Chinese support for insurance claims SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance has introduced new English and Chinese-language services to help foreign customers file insurance claims, the company said on Monday. The services are now available on the insurer’s mobile app and website. The company said an internal analysis showed that 58.3 percent of its foreign customers used the claims function most frequently, followed by premium payments at 14 percent and certificate issuance at 9.5 percent. Chinese speakers accounted for 68.6 percent of foreign users, while English speakers made up 8.4 percent. Samsung Fire & Marine said it conducted usability tests with both groups to improve the interface and streamline procedures ahead of the launch. “Foreign customers can now access insurance services more accurately and conveniently,” the company said in a press release. “We plan to gradually expand language options and service coverage to strengthen our digital offerings for global clients.” * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-11-24 09:25:53

Woori Card launches QR-based payment service in Indonesia SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Woori Card has become the first South Korean credit card company to introduce a QR-based payment and cash withdrawal service in Indonesia. The company unveiled the service on Friday at the 2025 Indonesia Digital Finance Festival in Jakarta, in partnership with the Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute. The system allows users to make payments and withdraw cash using a single QR code generated through Woori Card’s mobile app. As part of the launch, Woori Card also signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding to develop a “cardless ATM” service that enables withdrawals via QR code. The new service is awaiting approval from Indonesia’s central bank and is expected to go live by the end of the year, with plans to expand later to other Asian markets, including Vietnam, the company said. “By entering the overseas QR payment market, we aim to build a convenient and secure payment ecosystem across Asia,” said Jin Seong-won, Woori Card’s chief executive. In Southeast Asia, digital payment adoption has accelerated rapidly amid a surge in smartphone usage and government-backed initiatives, according to Woori Card. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-31 14:01:02

DB Insurance to acquire Florida-based insurer Fortegra in $1.65 billion deal SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - DB Insurance said on Tuesday that it had agreed to acquire Fortegra Group, a Florida-based specialty insurer, for $1.65 billion, marking the first time a South Korean insurance company has purchased a U.S. insurer. The deal, valued at about 2.3 trillion won, represents the largest overseas acquisition by a South Korean insurer to date. The sellers are Tiptree Inc., Fortegra’s parent company, and the private equity firm Warburg Pincus. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals in both countries. The acquisition underscores DB Insurance’s ambitions to accelerate its global expansion and diversify its business beyond its home market. The company first entered the U.S. in 1984 with a branch in Guam. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Fortegra provides a range of specialty, credit, and warranty insurance products. The company operates across the United States and in eight European markets. Last year, it reported $3.07 billion in gross written premiums and $140 million in net income, and it currently holds an A- financial strength rating from AM Best. By acquiring Fortegra, DB Insurance aims to strengthen its foothold in the U.S. and European markets while enhancing its expertise in specialty insurance — a fast-growing segment within the global insurance industry. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-28 15:59:59