[New Year's Address] Yoon Jong-won, CEO of Industrial Bank of Korea, "Overcoming Crisis is Top Priority... Supporting SME Innovation"

"New 60 Years, Emphasizing Innovation for Customers"

[Asia Economy Reporter Sunmi Park]"To fulfill the role of a policy bank while responding to future changes, it is important to prepare what and how to do so. We must support the sustainable innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises and also enhance the bank's own competitiveness."

On the 3rd, Yoon Jong-won, President of IBK Industrial Bank of Korea, delivered a New Year's message, presenting the management slogan "A New 60 Years, Innovation Toward Customers" along with five key focus tasks. The five key tasks are ▲Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners to overcome COVID-19 ▲Supporting innovative companies and future industries through a financial paradigm shift ▲Designing customer-centered digital, global, and synergy strategies ▲Management faithful to the basics ▲Creating a workplace where employees enjoy working.

President Yoon emphasized, "Overcoming the COVID-19 crisis remains the top priority this year," and stated that while alleviating the financial cost burden on small business owners and SMEs during the period of rising interest rates, inclusive finance to improve financial accessibility for vulnerable groups will also be strengthened. To support SME innovation, he announced the provision of comprehensive management diagnosis and customized solutions through the 'Financial Doctor Program,' the supply of 1.5 trillion KRW in venture capital by this year, the expansion of the IBK Changgong success model, and the establishment of a dedicated accelerating organization to fill funding gaps for early-stage startups.

He also said, "We will design digital, global, and synergy strategies to enhance the bank's competitiveness by placing customers at the center," emphasizing, "We will provide easy, fast, and convenient customer experiences at all customer touchpoints."

As part of the global strategy, the bank plans to establish a base branch in Eastern Europe and explore additional measures to respond to overseas financial demand. It will also lead K-Finance through support for Saudi SME Bank and partnerships with international organizations. Furthermore, to increase customer trust and social value, the bank highlighted the importance of financial consumer protection, internalization of ESG management, and expansion of social contribution activities, proposing to create a workplace where employees, the future assets of IBK, take pride and enjoy their work.

Finally, President Yoon added, "Let us begin the new 60-year journey of IBK together to help the growth of customers and SMEs and contribute to the inclusive growth of the Korean economy."

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