YouTubers in Haengwon... Financial Companies Prefer 'Collaboration' Over 'Discouragement'

From Work Processes to 'Weekend & Daily Life' Vlogs Released
MoEF and FSC Also Present Collaborative Content with YouTubers
Some 'Loan Tips' Videos Surpass 800,000 Views

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] Former and current financial sector employees who have transformed into YouTubers are gaining popularity. This trend began as they started sharing their natural daily lives or providing loan 'tips.' Due to explosive interest, banks and financial authorities are also stepping up to promote and even request 'collaborations.'

According to the financial industry on the 6th, SC First Bank recently produced collaborative content with YouTuber 'Diva Jessica,' who has 2.05 million subscribers, to promote its 'Disney Newtro Check Card.' They recruited a YouTuber who had worked as a dispatched employee at SC First Bank to handle social media (SNS) promotion. SC First Bank candidly revealed spaces rarely seen, from the main branch's internal cafeteria to sales areas and VIP meeting rooms. Vice President Jang Ho-jun, directors, and many employees also appeared. The content has currently been viewed by over 260,000 people.

NH Nonghyup Bank selected 10 employee promotional models in March and newly appointed 15 'NHTubers' (NH Nonghyup Bank + YouTubers). This was to assign external activities and promotional duties through the in-house YouTube channel. Recently, they have gained popularity by sharing financial products and 'frugal tech secrets.'

Sh Suhyup Bank selected seven employees as in-house models earlier this year and assigned them the role of 'Sh Creators' active on YouTube. Initially, they produced content introducing some banking operations such as document organization, voucher files, and cash closing. Recently, they have even uploaded official vlogs of bankers' weekends and daily lives on their official account.

The culture in the financial sector, which used to strictly regulate employees' vlogs and YouTube activities, has changed 180 degrees. Due to the sensitive nature of handling financial data and customer information, financial companies had practically prohibited individual employees' YouTube activities. Most YouTube content featured exclusive promotional models such as famous actors or singers.

Government and Financial Authorities Also Join the Bankers' 'YouTube' Collaboration Craze

Amid the sensational popularity, the government and financial authorities are also showcasing content collaborating with YouTubers who are former bankers. In August, the Ministry of Economy and Finance produced content introducing the achievements and vision of the Korean New Deal together with YouTuber 'Geumyung Il-eojuneun Yeoja Cheondeongi' (Woman Reading Finance Cheondeongi). Recently, they have uploaded videos under the name 'Cheondeongi X Ministry of Economy and Finance' to explain financial and economic knowledge. The Financial Services Commission also created collaborative content with a YouTuber known as a loan officer at a domestic commercial bank. The YouTuber 'Eunhaeng Danineun Woobinpapa' introduced important points about the reduction of the legal maximum interest rate and policy financial products changing in the second half of the year.

Not only employees classified as MZ (Millennial + Generation Z) generation but also executives and heads of financial institutions are appearing directly on YouTube. On the 18th of last month, Lee Byung-chul, Head of Shinhan Financial Retirement Pension Business Group (Vice President), promoted retirement pensions on Shinhan Bank's YouTube channel by dancing and singing. He appeared under the alter ego 'Shindoncheol,' marking the first case of an executive directly appearing in a promotional video at Shinhan Bank.

Earlier last month, NH Nonghyup Bank President Kwon Joon-hak appeared on a live broadcast on YouTube commemorating the achievement of 3 million SNS followers. During the approximately 40-minute talk show, he participated by doing an acrostic poem with the letter 'N' and solving quizzes. This was also the first time President Kwon appeared in YouTube live content.

More employees at commercial banks are revealing their affiliation and opening personal YouTube accounts to upload videos. Popular content mainly shares how to get higher loan limits or lower interest rates. One YouTuber working at a commercial bank advised, "When consulting about loans, do not tell the banker the maximum limit but specify the desired amount in detail to positively influence the screening." He also cautioned, "Questions like 'What happens if I don't repay?' create a negative image, so it's better not to mention them," which sparked attention.

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