BNK Financial Group Marks 14th Anniversary, Emphasizes Finance's Role in Revitalizing the Local Economy

Resolving the Prolonged Local Economic Downturn:
On-Site Management to Support Small Business Owners and the Self-Employed
Anniversary Message: "We Will Fulfill the Role of Local Finance as the 'Mainstay' of the Regional Economy and Promote 'Co-Prosperity Management'"

BNK Financial Group (Chairman Byun Daein) executives visited Bujeon Market in Busanjin-gu on the 14th.

On the occasion of the 14th anniversary of its founding on the 15th, instead of holding a commemorative event, the group engaged in on-site management to support local small business owners and self-employed people struggling due to the economic downturn.

On this day, 17 executives of the group, including BNK Financial Holdings Chairman Byun Daein, the president of Busan Bank, and the president-designate of Kyongnam Bank, visited Bujeon Market and held the event "A New Spring, Revitalizing the Local Economy" to boost the local economy.

BNK Financial Group Chairman Bindaein, Busan Bank President, Gyeongnam Bank President nominee, and 17 group executives visited Bujeon Market to hold the event "New Spring, Reviving the Local Economy" to revitalize the regional economy. Provided by BNK Financial

The event aimed to invigorate the local commercial district by purchasing goods from the traditional market and making advance payments at restaurants. In addition to BNK Financial Group executives, Shin Younguk, President of the Bujeon Market Town Merchants Association, and Lee Sugyeong, Head of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Region at ChildFund Korea, also attended.

Four restaurants in Bujeon Market that received advance payments held a free meal event for market merchants and customers on this day.

One restaurant owner said, "We were already worried as the number of customers and sales were declining, but with this help from the local financial institution, both nearby merchants and customers are very grateful," expressing appreciation.

On this day, BNK Financial Group also held a donation ceremony, delivering 30 million won to the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam ChildFund Korea. These funds will be used to purchase children's goods for childcare facilities in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, with all purchases to be made at local traditional markets.

Last year, BNK Financial Group adopted the "Co-Prosperity Declaration" to help the recovery of the local economy and ease the management burden and support the growth of small business owners. The core idea is for BNK to become a beneficial link for the co-prosperity of the region and citizens through various financial support measures and donation events.

At the end of last year, as part of efforts to help struggling local small business owners and revitalize the local economy at the group level, initiatives such as "Samsam-Oh-Oh Lunch Day" and advance payment projects for regular stores were carried out.

Additionally, Busan Bank is preparing to launch a card guarantee product to support operating funds for local small business owners facing management difficulties, and Kyongnam Bank is operating "Hope Dream Centers for Small Business Owners" in Gyeongnam and Ulsan to provide financial support and comprehensive consulting, fulfilling its role as a financial partner growing together with the local community.

In its 14th anniversary message, BNK Financial Group once again emphasized the "essential role" of local finance. Amid the crisis of local extinction caused by the outflow of youth and companies, aging population, prolonged economic downturn, and the dominance of the Seoul metropolitan area, BNK stressed the need to serve as the "mainstay" and "bridgehead" for new growth in the local economy.

They reiterated the need to expand "productive financial supply" for local companies and to continuously promote "co-prosperity finance" that supports the self-reliance of youth and vulnerable groups, playing a pivotal role in the local economy.

They also announced plans to promote group-wide management efficiency by re-examining assets, profits, and cost structures from scratch to establish a foundation for sustainable growth and secure future competitiveness.

The group plans to focus on improving the quality of its profit structure by intensively reviewing inefficient areas such as overlapping investments within the group and efficiently reallocating resources and human capital. Furthermore, they called for establishing an integrated business process for the transition to AI-based Digital BNK, leading digital financial innovation and making it a core driver for strengthening fundamental competitiveness.

They also emphasized enhancing shareholder value through the continued implementation of the corporate value-up program. Since Byun Daein's inauguration, BNK Financial Holdings' stock price has risen about 60% from the low 6,000 won range to the low 10,000 won range.

Byun Daein, who directly led the recent overseas IR in the UK following Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US, said, "Foreign investors had a high understanding of both domestic and international economic conditions and the unique characteristics of BNK in the region. There was strong empathy and anticipation for our profitability-focused management and shareholder return policies," sharing the results of the overseas IR. In fact, after last year's IR meeting in the US, Capital Group has continued to purchase BNK shares, recently surpassing a 5% stake as disclosed.

A BNK Financial Holdings official said, "We believe that providing practical support for struggling local small business owners and self-employed people is a meaningful way to reflect on the founding of BNK Financial Group and our reason for existence. We will continue to do our best to ensure that our sincere commitment to always stand by the region and our customers is well conveyed."

BNK Financial Group Chairman Bindaein and related officials are holding the event "New Spring, Regional Economy Running Again" and taking a commemorative photo. Provided by BNK Financial

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