Journalist

Kim Yoon-seop
  • Shinhan Bank Launches Olive Young SOL Account With Up to 4.5% Interest
    Shinhan Bank Launches Olive Young SOL Account With Up to 4.5% Interest Shinhan Bank is rolling out a new account that pays up to 4.5% annual interest when used as a payment account at CJ Olive Young. The bank said on the 13th it launched the "Olive Young SOL Account" developed with CJ Olive Young, with a cap of 200,000 accounts. The Olive Young SOL Account is a demand deposit product that allows free deposits and withdrawals. Depending on a customer’s Olive Young usage, it offers up to 4.5% annual interest on balances of up to 2 million won. Customers can sign up starting that day through a promotional page in the Olive Young app. To mark the launch, Shinhan Bank will give all new customers a 10,000-won Olive Young mobile gift certificate. Customers who spend at least 5,000 won a month at Olive Young using the account or a linked debit card will receive a 5,000-won mobile gift certificate each month for one year. An additional 10,000-won Olive Young coupon will be issued each time customers meet a three-month cumulative usage requirement. A Shinhan Bank official said the product was designed to boost customer satisfaction by combining financial and lifestyle benefits, adding that the bank will continue partnering across sectors to offer differentiated financial experiences.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 10:00:00
  • Hana Bank, Tmoney Mobility to Support Taxi Operators With Tailored Financing
    Hana Bank, Tmoney Mobility to Support Taxi Operators With Tailored Financing Hana Bank said April 13 it has signed a business agreement with Tmoney Mobility to provide financial support for taxi operators. The partnership aims to develop tailored financial service models for taxi operators and improve their access to financing. Hana Bank plans to launch specialized financial products to help taxi operators run their businesses more steadily and to strengthen links with Tmoney Mobility’s taxi-operator platform, “Taxi Today.” The two companies also plan to identify new business models using Hana Bank’s financial data and Tmoney Mobility’s driving data. They will also work together on financial education support and marketing strategies, including online and offline promotions. “We signed this agreement to improve taxi operators’ access to financing and to provide tangible benefits through tailored financial services,” said Seo Yu-seok, executive vice president of Hana Bank’s Corporate Group. “Based on the data held by both companies, we will support taxi operators’ growth and strengthen cooperation for shared prosperity.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:00:00
  • Shinhan Bank to Build Wealth Management Hub in Apgujeong With Hyundai Engineering & Construction
    Shinhan Bank to Build Wealth Management Hub in Apgujeong With Hyundai Engineering & Construction Shinhan Bank said Thursday it has signed a strategic partnership with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to introduce a new wealth management model that links housing and financial services, centered on Apgujeong redevelopment complexes. The agreement ties Hyundai E&C’s high-end housing brand, The H, with Shinhan Financial Group’s wealth management brand, Shinhan Premier, to provide residents with tailored financial services. Shinhan Bank said it will work with Hyundai E&C to build a wealth management hub for residents inside Apgujeong redevelopment complexes. The plan includes resident-only consultation space connected to community facilities, along with programs such as wealth management seminars and market outlook lectures. Services will be run under a “One-Team” structure combining specialists from Shinhan Bank and Shinhan Investment Corp. The Shinhan Premier Pathfinder team will offer solutions spanning investment, taxes, real estate, inheritance and gifts. The bank said it also plans to strengthen family office-style services aimed at ultra-high-net-worth clients for family-level wealth succession. Shinhan Bank said it will expand the housing-linked wealth management model beyond Apgujeong to other Hyundai E&C high-end complexes, including Banpo and Cheongdam. “This agreement is a new attempt to connect customers’ living spaces with financial services,” a Shinhan Bank official said, adding the bank will continue to broaden Shinhan Premier’s wealth management offerings across high-end residential complexes.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:57:00
  • Woori Bank Unveils NEXT ESG Strategy, Sets 50 Key Initiatives
    Woori Bank Unveils 'NEXT ESG' Strategy, Sets 50 Key Initiatives Woori Bank said Tuesday it has established a new environmental, social and governance management strategy, “NEXT ESG,” as part of its push to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan is designed to put into practice Woori Financial Group’s ESG vision, “A better world we create through finance.” It sets four main directions: reducing carbon emissions; creating social value through finance; strengthening and carrying out ESG expertise; and improving transparent ESG disclosures and governance. Its core program, “NEXT 50,” includes 50 action items such as cutting greenhouse gas emissions and expanding resource recycling, increasing funding support for environmentally friendly companies, and improving financial access for vulnerable groups. The bank said it aims to carry out the initiatives without disruption to broaden the base of green finance and build a leading model of finance that makes a tangible contribution to society. Woori Bank said it received a ministerial commendation from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in December 2025 in recognition of efforts including expanding eco-friendly finance and practicing carbon neutrality. More recently, in line with the government’s energy-saving policy direction, it has been implementing an alternate-day vehicle-use system and shortening the operating hours of electronic signboards. “ESG plays an important role that goes beyond environmental protection and is directly connected to customers’ lives,” said Shim Seong-jin, head of Woori Bank’s ESG and shared-growth finance department. “Through the NEXT ESG strategy, we will create changes customers can feel and lay the groundwork for companies and society to grow together.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 10:33:00
  • IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, KOTRA team up to help SMEs expand overseas
    IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, KOTRA team up to help SMEs expand overseas IBK Industrial Bank of Korea said it will work with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, known as KOTRA, to help small and midsize companies expand into overseas markets. The bank said Sunday it signed a business agreement with KOTRA to support SMEs in developing overseas markets. The agreement is aimed at helping exporters diversify markets as global trade conditions shift, including U.S.-China trade tensions and supply chain restructuring, the bank said. Under the deal, the two organizations will cooperate on tailored support for overseas expansion, easing export-related difficulties and identifying successful cases. IBK said it will use KOTRA’s network of overseas trade offices. KOTRA will run an “overseas market development program” that provides services such as finding local buyers, marketing support, and advice on logistics and customs clearance. IBK also said it plans to help cover the cost of enrolling in short-term export insurance from the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. to reduce the risk of unpaid export receivables. “Using KOTRA’s global network, we will actively support SMEs’ entry into overseas markets,” an IBK official said, adding the bank will continue to back stronger export competitiveness and sustained growth.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 15:12:00
  • Woori Bank Names 15 Branches as ‘100-Year’ Locations in Heritage Push
    Woori Bank Names 15 Branches as ‘100-Year’ Locations in Heritage Push Woori Bank said Monday it will designate 15 branches that have operated for more than a century as “100-year branches” as it marks its 127th anniversary. The list includes the Jongno Financial Center, Seoul City Hall Financial Center, Incheon Branch, Jeonju Financial Center and Dongnae Financial Center, among others. The bank said it will install plaques and monuments reflecting each branch’s history and tradition, highlighting their role as local financial hubs and expressing gratitude to customers. Woori Bank also said it has developed a new “heritage” design to strengthen its brand identity and will apply it across customer touchpoints. The design will be introduced first on everyday items such as shopping bags and business cards so customers can more readily recognize the bank’s history and brand value while using its services. “Woori Bank’s 127-year history was possible thanks to the trust of customers and local communities,” a bank official said. “By spotlighting our 100-year branches, we will reaffirm that value and continue strengthening our role as a financial partner.” 2026-04-06 10:09:01
  • Shinhan Bank Sells $600 Million in Global Bonds After Drawing $7 Billion in Orders
    Shinhan Bank Sells $600 Million in Global Bonds After Drawing $7 Billion in Orders Shinhan Bank said it issued $600 million (about 9.05 trillion won) in global senior foreign-currency bonds on April 1. The deal marked the first overseas foreign-currency bond sale by a major South Korean commercial bank since tensions in the Middle East rose following the war between the United States and Iran. Investor demand totaled about $7 billion (about 10.563 trillion won), the bank said. The bonds were issued as development finance notes, aimed at creating social and economic value by supporting climate-change response, expanding financial inclusion and backing small and midsize businesses. The offering was split evenly between a $300 million, three-year floating-rate note and a $300 million, five-year fixed-rate note. The spread on the three-year FRN was set at 0.58 percentage points over SOFR, a U.S. risk-free benchmark rate. The five-year fixed-rate note was priced at 0.43 percentage points over the yield on a U.S. Treasury of the same maturity. A Shinhan Bank official said the bank achieved a stable result by broadening its investor base and maintaining communication despite continued volatility in global markets. The official said the bank will pursue sustainable growth based on trust with global investors.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-03 17:36:00
  • Jeju Bank Launches DJ Bank Brand, Expands ERP-Based Corporate Finance
    Jeju Bank Launches DJ Bank Brand, Expands ERP-Based Corporate Finance Jeju Bank has launched DJ Bank, a digital brand focused on corporate finance, and is moving ahead with enterprise resource planning, or ERP-based, business banking. Jeju Bank said it unveiled DJ Bank’s first set of solutions on April 2 at Douzone Eulji Tower in central Seoul. Attendees included Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Jeju Bank CEO Lee Hee-soo and Korea Federation of Banks Chairman Cho Yong-byeong, the bank said. DJ Bank is a digital corporate-finance brand developed by Jeju Bank in cooperation with Douzone Bizon, a company specializing in business software. The solutions introduced include an alternative credit-scoring strategic model; “DJ The Ju” corporate parking account; loans to support artificial intelligence transformation, or AX solutions; and ERP-linked accounts receivable secured loans. ERP systems integrate management functions such as accounting, human resources, purchasing, inventory and sales. Jeju Bank said it aims to reduce paperwork, delays and information gaps in corporate finance, which it described as heavily reliant on in-person processes. The alternative credit-scoring model combines ERP data with other alternative information to refine standardized credit assessments. The bank said it will use the model to better identify strong customers and potential risks, while expanding productive financial support and strengthening risk management. It also plans to broaden inclusive finance for small business customers, which it said have high closure rates. With the new offerings, corporate customers can use key financial services within their ERP systems without moving to separate channels, the bank said. Jeju Bank also outlined a longer-term vision for DJ Bank, including building an autonomous financial system that links forecasting, recommendations and execution through tools such as an AI chief financial officer that combines ERP data and AI. “ERP banking is a business we have considered for a long time to connect companies’ real work with finance and move beyond the limits of traditional corporate finance that has evaluated today’s companies using past data,” Jin said. He added that he hopes it will become “a starting point for a new corporate finance model” and help the regional bank “make a bigger leap.” Lee said DJ Bank is “a new starting point where finance works within a company’s workflow.” He said the ERP data-based model will make risk identification more precise and help find strong customers who previously received too little attention, while pursuing both productive and inclusive finance.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 17:15:00
  • Korean Banks Shift From Household Loans to Corporate Lending as Rules Tighten
    Korean Banks Shift From Household Loans to Corporate Lending as Rules Tighten Banks are rapidly reshaping lending strategies toward corporate credit and away from household loans as tighter financial rules make it harder to expand consumer lending. With regulators planning to further rein in this year’s overall growth in household lending, the shift into business finance is expected to accelerate. As of the end of last month, outstanding corporate loans at the five major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH NongHyup — totaled 859.7737 trillion won, up 5.4449 trillion won from 854.3288 trillion won a month earlier, the financial sector said Wednesday. Loans to large companies rose 3.4270 trillion won to 179.0119 trillion won by the end of March. Small- and midsize-business lending increased 2.0179 trillion won to 680.7618 trillion won. Household lending moved the other way. Outstanding household loans, including mortgages and unsecured credit, fell about 136.4 billion won from the prior month to 765.7290 trillion won. The decline was attributed to the government’s push for a “productive finance” shift that prioritizes corporate lending. Industry officials largely expect business lending to keep growing after regulators set this year’s household loan growth target at 1.5% and began separate oversight of mortgage lending, raising the bar for new consumer loans. Banks must manage annual lending volumes within the target, and violations bring strong penalties. Companies, meanwhile, are leaning more on bank loans as the bond market tightens. The Korea Financial Investment Association said the three-year government bond yield, a benchmark for corporate bonds, climbed from 2.953% at the end of last year to 3.370% as of April 1. Banks have responded by offering preferential rates and setting up dedicated teams to attract corporate clients. KB Kookmin Bank recently decided to expand its productive-finance preferential-rate program to 6 trillion won from 3 trillion won. Combined with its existing 4 trillion won branch-level preferential-rate program, the bank would provide a total of 10 trillion won in support. Shinhan Financial Group said it launched a “Seongguan Team” to strengthen execution of productive finance through an industry value chain-based sales system. Woori Financial Group recently formalized plans to create a 500 billion won “Woori Regional Development Infrastructure Fund” to expand investment in renewable energy and national strategic infrastructure. Hana Financial Group raised its productive-finance supply target to 17.8 trillion won earlier this year and has also moved to create a 500 billion won infrastructure fund. A financial industry official said household lending will be difficult to expand as before now that the government has announced tighter rules, while deposits are also harder to attract as their appeal fades. “From a bank’s perspective, there is little choice but to turn to corporate lending, so this trend is likely to continue for the time being,” the official said. 2026-04-02 15:27:00
  • Shinhan Bank, Andong City Sign Deal to Launch Public Delivery App Ttaenggyeoyo
    Shinhan Bank, Andong City Sign Deal to Launch Public Delivery App Ttaenggyeoyo Shinhan Bank said April 2 it signed an agreement a day earlier with Andong in North Gyeongsang Province to introduce its public delivery app, Ttaenggyeoyo. The city is the first in the province to sign such a deal for a public delivery app. Ttaenggyeoyo, operated by Shinhan Bank, is billed as a shared-growth platform offering brokerage fees of about 2%, faster settlements and various discounts. Shinhan Bank has signed public delivery app agreements with 56 local governments nationwide, including Seoul. Under the agreement, Ttaenggyeoyo plans to add Andong's local currency payment function, provide subsidies to new participating merchants and roll out dedicated financial products. A Shinhan Bank official said the bank will continue expanding its role in working with local communities so the app can provide practical help to small business owners and the local economy. The official added that Shinhan Bank plans to broaden partnerships with both metropolitan and basic local governments to expand the app's benefits. Separately, Shinhan Bank is running a Ttaenggyeoyo payback event through April 30. Customers will receive a 4,000-won discount coupon if their cumulative order total in April increases by even 1 won from the previous month. The offer applies to all order types in the app, including delivery, takeout and dine-in.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-02 11:09:00