Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, the nation's leading non-life insurer, has ceased selling insurance products through bank channels, commonly known as "bancassurance." As of January, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance has halted all new sales through banks, following a consistent decline in sales through this channel, according to an official from the company. This decision comes after 21 years since the company first introduced bancassurance in 2003. Bancassurance allows ins

Industry April 5, 2024

Shinhan Bank, a major commercial lender in South Korea, is bolstering its footprint in India through a strategic share acquisition of the local student loan provider, Credila. The bank announced Thursday that it successfully secured an equity investment agreement with Mumbai-based HDFC Credila Financial Services the previous day. As per the agreement, Credila will undergo a capital increase, with Shinhan Bank injecting around $180 million through the acquisition of new shares. This transaction w

Industry April 4, 2024

Hana Bank, South Korea's major commercial bank, opened a new dealing room -- the latest of its kind here -- in Seoul on Wednesday. Named "Hana Infinity Seoul" to signify the bank's ambition to expand its global reach, the new dealing room occupies the fourth and fifth floors of the lender's headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul. Spanning 2,096 square meters and with seating for 126, it is the country's largest such space, the bank states. The opening ceremony was a

Economy April 3, 2024

Yun Ho-young, CEO of Kakao Bank, has been appointed as a new board member for Grab, the largest super-app operator in Southeast Asia, the Internet-only lender confirmed Wednesday. Yun was officially appointed as an outside director of Grab's board on Monday and will serve as a member of the board's audit committee. Yun's appointment follows the strategic partnership formed between the two companies last year. In October, Kakao Bank announced the acquisition of a 10 percent stake i

Economy April 3, 2024

Financial regulators are ramping up efforts to encourage local companies to participate in the government's initiative to bolster South Korea's market valuation. The Financial Services Commission announced a series of new incentives on Tuesday for companies improving their governance structures, including exemptions from the government's stringent auditor designation system. Under the current regulations, listed companies appointing auditors voluntarily for six consecutive years m

Economy April 2, 2024

Last year witnessed remarkable growth for South Korea's three internet-only banks, as their combined value surged past the milestone 100 trillion won ($74 billion). The aggregate assets of Kakao Bank, K bank and Toss Bank reached approximately 101.61 trillion won by the end of last year, marking a substantial 27 percent increase from the previous year's 79.5 trillion won. Kakao Bank led the pack with total assets of 54.48 trillion won, followed by Toss Bank with 25.73 trillion won and

Industry April 1, 2024

More South Korean securities and investment firms are turning their eyes to the Indian market, exploring opportunities to tap the world's fastest-growing economy. NH Investment & Securities recently announced a partnership with Lighthouse Canton, a Singapore-based global asset management institution, as part of this trend. In January, NH Absolute Return Partners, a Singapore-based asset management company owned by NH Investment & Securities, signed a memorandum of understanding to c

Economy March 31, 2024

Mirae Asset Financial Group founder and Chairman Park Hyeon-joo is donating 1.6 billion won ($1.2 million) he earned from dividends last year, marking the 14th straight year of his philanthropic tradition. On Sunday, the company disclosed that Park will endow his entire dividend income from Mirae Asset Global Investments. Continuing the practice since 2010, Park's cumulative donations now reach 31.5 billion won. The group traces Park's charitable journey back to 2008 when he penned a l

Industry March 31, 2024

Lee Bok-hyun, head of South Korea's Financial Supervisory Service, pledged Thursday to promote "sound and fair finance," aiming to enhance the country's allure as an investment destination for foreign investors. Lee addressed officials from global financial firms and foreign diplomats during the annual "FSS Speaks" forum held in Seoul under the theme "toward sound and fair finance." "In striving for this objective, we aim to cultivate market practices

Economy March 28, 2024

South Korean banks are poised to bolster their presence in Poland, anticipating a surge in demand for financial assistance as the two nations deepen their strategic alliances and economic ties. On Tuesday, KB Kookmin Bank, one of the country's leading lenders, announced a partnership with Poland's Bank Pekao to establish a "Korea Desk." According to Kookmin Bank, the signing ceremony for the deal was held on Monday at Pekao's Warsaw headquarters. The event was attended b

Industry March 26, 2024

The new CEO of Kyobo Life Insurance, the nation's leading life insurer, has pledged to achieve "sustainable growth" that benefits all stakeholders. Upon assuming office on Monday, CEO Cho Dae-kyu cautioned about the life insurance industry's current challenges, citing "stagnant growth and declining profitability." During his inauguration ceremony at the company's headquarters in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, the CEO stressed the urgent need for "change and i

Industry March 25, 2024

South Korean banks are beginning compensation measures for losses stemming from the misselling of equity-linked securities tied to Hong Kong's Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, with the sector's smallest seller, Woori, leading the initiative. Woori Bank officially announced Friday it would begin the compensation process next month, in line with the outline issued by the financial watchdog. The decision was made during the company's board meeting that day. According to Woori Bank,

Industry March 22, 2024

The Bank of Japan's first interest rate hike in almost two decades has rattled the global economy, yet it may not have as much of an impact in South Korea, at least not for a while. The central bank of Japan on Tuesday announced it is lifting its short-term policy rate to a range of 0 to 0.1 percent from minus 0.1 percent, stepping away from the negative interest rate policy it had been applying since 2016 to fight chronic deflation. It also marked the central bank's first interest rat

Economy March 20, 2024

The South Korean government and local banks on Tuesday pledged to jointly invest 452 trillion won ($337.4 billion) until 2030 to tackle the climate crisis. The move aligns with the country's intensified efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and bolster domestic firms' competitive edge in overseas markets. "This unprecedented climate crisis we face today demands action not only to enhance our companies' competitiveness but also for the generations to come," said Ki

Economy March 19, 2024

Despite internal setbacks, South Korean finance giants are forging ahead with a robust rally in the local stock market, as several companies reach historic highs. The share prices of KB Financial Co. and Hana Financial Co., two of the nation's biggest finance holding firms, soared to unprecedented levels Thursday. KB Financial's shares hit 78,600 won ($59) after three consecutive days of record-setting gains, while Hana's reached 64,600 won. Shinhan Financial Co.'s shares als

Economy March 17, 2024