Jiseonggyu, CEO of Hana Bank's 'Theory of Happiness'

Continuing Innovation Through Communication and Consideration
Departments Also Emphasize 'Happiness' in Their Names

Jiseonggyu, President of KEB Hana Bank, is giving high-fives to employees on their way to work in the lobby of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Euljiro, Seoul, on the 2nd. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] “I must be happy for my colleagues and the bank to be happy.”

Since his inauguration last year, Ji Seong-gyu, CEO of KEB Hana Bank, who has been dedicated to communication efforts, presented a ‘theory of happiness’ to employees starting anew. Known as a ‘happiness evangelist’ who prioritizes ‘happiness management’ as his top goal, CEO Ji has taken the first step toward happiness management this year through communication with employees.

According to Hana Bank on the 15th, CEO Ji sent an email titled “Cheering for Your New Start” to general employees who were transferred to branches at the end of last year, saying, “You have worked hard and I sincerely thank you for the past vigorous year.” He added, “Leaving a familiar place and facing a new environment may feel unfamiliar and challenging, but I hope you trust your own abilities and open your heart to approach new colleagues, customers, and surroundings first.” He also said, “I must be happy for my colleagues and the bank to be happy.”

CEO Ji is known for frequently bringing up happiness during meetings or casual conversations with employees. A Hana Bank official said, “With his gentle personality, CEO Ji always emphasizes happiness along with communication with colleagues.” It is said that CEO Ji’s unique modesty and positive mindset helped him get close to employees within less than a year of his inauguration, despite spending more than half of his 30-year banking career overseas in places like Hong Kong and Beijing, China.

At his inauguration ceremony on March 21 last year, CEO Ji presented four key tasks: digital transformation, global bank, a lively bank, and a happy bank, stating, “Customers are the compass and asset that guide the direction the bank should take.”

On the first business day of the new year, January 2, to celebrate the Year of the Rat, he emphasized a happy bank while wearing a rat-shaped headband. CEO Ji personally greeted employees arriving at the lobby of the bank’s headquarters in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, saying, “Let’s continue innovation through communication and consideration to become a bank where everyone is happy.”

Hana Bank even has departments named after happiness. The Consumer Happiness Group and Customer Happiness Headquarters, newly established in January last year, were upgraded at the end of last year: the Consumer Happiness Group became the Consumer Protection Group, and the Customer Happiness Headquarters, which was concurrently held by the Consumer Group Head (Executive Director), became an independent executive (headquarters director) department.

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