Top financial groups here have put forward animated characters as their faces in a bid to woo a wider range of customers. Woori Financial Group has recently brought back its band of animated characters, WiBee Friends, pulling them out of a six-year hiatus. Woori Bank CEO Cho Byung-kyu pushed for the return of the characters, seeing the need to appeal to customers with a softer, friendlier image, according to the firm. With Woori jumping on the bandwagon, all four of Korea’s top financial g

Despite lingering management risks, tech giant Kakao may see a surprise increase in its stock price this year, with analysts bullish on its advertising and commerce businesses. According to market intelligence firm FnGuide, Kakao's target price, provided by more than three analysts, was 69,458 won ($51.90) as of Sunday, up 10.6 percent from 62,783 won recorded at the end of last year, marking the highest increase rate among the target prices of the top 20 firms listed on the Korean stock ma

South Korean stocks rose by almost 3 percent Friday, backed by techs, autos and financials following solid earnings reports from US big techs. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 72.85 points, or 2.87 percent, to 2,615.31. Trade volume was high at 580 million shares worth 14.1 trillion won ($10.7 billion), with winners far outpacing losers 710 to 180. Foreign investors and institutions drove up the Kospi, buying shares worth 1.89 tri

Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong (center) attends a discussion session with employees to talk about the group’s efforts for digital transformation at the headquarters in central Seoul on Wednesday. Top executives and working-level engineers specialized in artificial intelligence and data analysis joined the event to share the latest digital trends in the financial market and Shinhan’s future strategy. “Each of you should become a ‘business designer’ to

Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong (center) and other company officials deliver coal briquettes to low-income households in Seodaemun-gu, northern Seoul, Thursday. The financial giant raised donations of 200 million won ($150,000), with some 150 million won coming from employees. The fund will be used to provide heat supplies through a local charity. (Shinhan Financial Group)

As local card issuers struggle to seek new growth engines on foreign ground, a handful saw improvements in 2023. Making a surprise breakthrough overseas last year was Woori Card, which posted a cumulative net profit of around 6.25 billion won ($4.64 million) as of the third quarter through its foreign subsidiaries in Myanmar and Indonesia. The figure was up by almost 78 percent on-year. Driving the flourish was Woori Finance Indonesia, the Korean card company's newly launched Indonesian cor

-     Incheon Mayor Yoo unveiled the 'Super Smart Hub City' vision at CES 2024, promoted global collaboration, showcased AI solutions, and engaged with tech giants. SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from AVING Global: Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok Leaps for the Vision of 'Super First-Class Smart Hub City' at CES 2024 On a business trip to the United States, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is visiting Las Vegas, where the world's largest c

The leaders of Hana Financial Group and Shinhan Financial Group are headed to the CES 2024, the world's largest consumer technology event slated to open in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo is taking part in the tech event for his second consecutive year. This year, the Hana chief is reportedly taking with him a team of employees in the artificial intelligence sector, in line with the theme of this year's CES, which seeks to highlight the possibilities o

South Korea's top four financial groups -- KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori -- are expected to post a combined net profit of over 17 trillion won ($13 billion) this year, buoyed by their moneylending business, according to market tracker FnGuide. While the four firms posted an estimated net profit of 16.55 trillion won last year, the projected figure for this year is 17.23 trillion won, marking a 4.1 percent growth on-year. Securities firms predicted KB Financial Group to garner a net profit of

South Korean stocks closed slightly higher Tuesday as investors remained cautious after a recent rally stemming from the US central bank's dovish stance. The local currency rose against the greenback. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.08 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 2,602.59, ending the two-day losing streak. Trade volume was moderate at 429.4 million shares worth 9.4 trillion won ($7.26 billion), but decliners outnumbered gainers 491 to

South Korea's Shinhan Bank said Friday its Indonesian unit, Bank Shinhan Indonesia, has won a $200 million investment from the International Finance Corp. The funding is a result of a memorandum of understanding signed between Shinhan Financial Group and the IFC in May, aiming to expand cooperation in global expansion and environmental, social and governance drives. Initially, the IFC will provide $100 million, followed by an additional $100 million financing within a year. Bank Shinhan Ind

Shinhan Financial Group's efforts to make a sustainable financial ecosystem have gained global momentum this year under the leadership of Chairman Jin Ok-dong, who took the top post in March. On his first overseas business trip in April, Jin headed to Japan, his country of expertise with almost 20 years of work experience there. During his stay, he met with business and government leaders there to seek digital and ESG (environment, social and governance) cooperation and other possibilities

By Yoo Chang-jo Professor of marketing at Dongguk University The rapidly evolving landscape of technology-driven finance demands a global perspective and competitive edge. Recognizing the role of financial institutions in this dynamic environment, The Korea Herald's Global Finance Awards, now in its seventh year, continues to honor those at the forefront of innovation and service in the Korean financial sector. This year’s awards were categorized into the Financier of the Year, In

South Korean stocks finished slightly lower Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the central bank's rate-setting meeting this week. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 1.95 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 2,519.81. Trading volume was moderate at 571.6 million shares worth 9.27 trillion won ($7.19 billion), with losers beating winners 598 to 272. Institutions sold a net 140.9 billion won worth of l

Shinhan Bank said Wednesday that it has signed an agreement worth 1 billion pounds ($1.25 billion) with the United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade to invest in the country's infrastructure and environmental sectors. On Tuesday, the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony took place with the attendance of British Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk, at the mayor's residence in London. Under the deal, the Seoul-based bank will inv