Han Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group, "To Become a Century-Old Company, We Must Focus on Our 'Core Business'"

Hamyungju, Chairman of Hana Financial Group, New Year's Address for the Year of the Eulsa
This Year Marks the Group's 20th Anniversary
"We Must Focus Our Capabilities on Creating Sustainable Value"

▲ Ham Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group Photo by Yonhap News

Ham Young-joo, Chairman of Hana Financial Group, marked the new year of the Year of the Eulsa on the 2nd by stating, "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of Hana Financial Group," and emphasized, "The top priority task for becoming a century-old company is to secure the capability for sustainable value creation." Chairman Ham recognized the current crisis situation seriously and urged to stay true to the basics while diversifying the revenue base of the non-banking sector.

On this day, through his '2025 New Year's Address,' Chairman Ham said, "Over the past 20 years, we have grown into a global comprehensive financial group with 14 subsidiaries covering all financial sectors and 221 networks in 26 regions worldwide," adding, "Now, we stand at an important crossroads to move forward as a century-old company based on these achievements."

Chairman Ham identified 'securing the capability for sustainable value creation' as an essential task for this goal.

He continued, "As our asset size has grown and our portfolio has expanded, it is necessary to objectively review whether our substance and capabilities have grown accordingly," and pointed out, "M&A (mergers and acquisitions) should not be merely a means to increase scale but a strategic choice to maximize profits through efficient capital allocation within the group portfolio."

Chairman Ham emphasized the urgency of moving forward with a desperate spirit by using the analogy of 'the lion and the gazelle.' He said, "In Africa, when morning comes, the gazelle runs with all its might because it knows that if it runs slower than the fastest lion, it will be caught. Similarly, the lion knows that if it cannot run faster than the slowest gazelle, it will starve, so it starts running with all its effort," adding, "Morning will come to the financial market as well." He then asked, "How desperately are we running for survival?" and urged, "We must recognize the current crisis situation seriously and run forward with a more desperate spirit than anyone else."

Chairman Ham also delivered an encouraging message to employees, saying, "Nothing is impossible when we become one." He recalled, "The path of the latecomer bank, which started with only two branches, was full of hardships and adversity," and reflected, "The 347 employees prioritized 'the joy of the customer' and sincerely thought and acted accordingly, resulting in a new record of surpassing 10 trillion won in total deposits and loans within 45 months of establishment in 1995, the first in domestic banking history."

He added, "By becoming one, we have continuously grown by finding opportunities even in crises and made the impossible possible," and reiterated, "Nothing is impossible when we become one."

Regarding this year's domestic and international business environment, Chairman Ham said, "The situation ahead of us is becoming increasingly serious as economic recession, increased uncertainty in domestic and international environments, and structural social issues such as population aging and low birth rates intertwine," and urged, "As the saying goes, we must return to basics in difficult times; to overcome the crisis, we must focus on fundamental and essential elements rather than complex strategies."

He continued, "To build a strong foundation that can withstand even a powerful typhoon, we must secure and strengthen competitiveness in our core business," and said, "Rather than obsessing over immediate results, it is more important to establish structures and systems that can create sustainable value even if progress is slow."

Furthermore, he stated, "We must enhance efficiency through region- and country-specific tailored strategies in the global market and diversify our revenue base by expanding business areas along with simultaneous entry into the non-banking sector."

Chairman Ham also emphasized that strengthening competitiveness in future finance and technological innovation should not be overlooked. He said, "While developing our own capabilities, we must continue investing in and partnering with new technology and innovative companies, and strive to link these with our core business through partnerships and securing deals," adding, "It is also important to pay attention to trend changes and capture new business opportunities." He particularly noted the need to respond flexibly to the changing environment considering the trend toward easing virtual asset regulations in the United States. Chairman Ham said, "This is something difficult to solve by the power of a single affiliate alone, so close collaboration within and outside the group is essential," and urged, "We must focus on expanding synergy among all affiliates to strengthen competitiveness in the non-banking sector and create sustainable performance."

Finally, Chairman Ham called for continuing the 'Hana culture.' He said, "Our 'Hana culture' has been the source of strength that enabled us to find new opportunities and achieve sustainable growth amid numerous challenges and difficulties," and concluded his New Year's address by emphasizing, "This year, reflecting on the 20 years Hana has walked, let us all, the Hana family, run vigorously together to revive the value of 'Once again, as Hana' and create the next 100 years."

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