[New Year's Message] Kim Ji-wan, BNK Chairman, "Leading Innovative and Inclusive Finance"

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Kim] BNK Financial Group held its New Year's ceremony on the 2nd at the main auditorium of its Busan Nam-gu headquarters, with about 450 employees attending, reaffirming their resolutions for the new year.

In his New Year's address, BNK Financial Chairman Jiwan Kim stated, “As the 'framework of the financial industry' is changing due to open banking and the entry of ICT companies into finance, we will promote 'open innovation' that improves the entire sales process through customer-centered flexible thinking and actions, and two-way communication with customers. We will also strengthen the expansion into overseas markets, establish BNK's unique financial models specialized for local markets, and enhance organic cooperation among affiliates and business divisions.”

He also emphasized, “We must take the lead in practicing innovative finance and inclusive finance to create the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Innovation Startup Ecosystem,' which will be the cornerstone for the birth of regional unicorn companies, and become a reliable partner for local small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs.”

Last year, BNK Financial self-assessed that it achieved favorable results despite difficult management conditions, along with establishing the highest level of corporate governance in Korea. Asset soundness showed a clear improving trend through the establishment of a transparent credit culture, proactive risk management, and improvement of the credit portfolio through sound management. The proportion of profits from non-bank and non-interest sectors increased significantly, centered on wealth management (WM) and corporate investment banking (CIB) divisions.

Additionally, BNK Financial not only secured new growth engines by upgrading mobile platforms and strengthening digital competitiveness through collaboration with fintech companies, but also improved the proportion of global revenue through thorough localization strategies. It is also developing into a comprehensive financial group by incorporating BNK Venture Investment as a subsidiary.

While continuing last year's achievements, BNK Financial plans to strengthen its management structure further and make this year the first year for the group to be re-rated by the market. The group's management policy for this year is set as 'GROW 2020, qualitative growth management centered on Return on Equity (ROE),' focusing on sound management and maximizing management efficiency.

This year's management keyword is set as ‘Icheongdeuksim’ (以聽得心: By listening well to others, one can win their heart).

A company official explained that this reflects the will for all employees to listen respectfully to the thoughts and intentions of stakeholders such as customers, local communities, and shareholders, and to develop positive relationships based on trust.

After the ceremony, all BNK Financial employees adopted a resolution pledging to take the lead in 'customer-centered management and consumer rights protection.'

Through the declaration, BNK Financial pledged to practice customer-centered management by establishing a consumer-oriented sales culture and to make every effort to eradicate incomplete sales by prioritizing consumers when selling financial investment products.

In the following CEO special lecture, Chairman Kim said, “Our country is one of the world's top 10 economies, and the economy of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong region, the group's main business area, is also showing signs of recovery recently. Let us all take pride in being BNK members, lead regional finance, and leap forward as a global standard financial group.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.