BNK Financial Group Launches Three Core Strategies for Local Economy Hope Initiative

Productive Finance: Supplying Growth Capital to Local Companies,
Fostering Region-Specific Industries such as Marine and Shipbuilding,
Supporting Venture Businesses
Inclusive Finance: Opening of the Local Economy Hope Center,
Debt Relief and Restructuring,
Consulting Services for Small Business Owners
Responsible Finance: Specialized Consulting for Industrial Accident Prevention,
Providing Facility Improvement Financing

On September 8, BNK Financial Group (Chairman Bin Daein) held the "Local Economy Hope Project Forum" in the main conference room at its headquarters, with the group chairman and all affiliate CEOs in attendance. The forum aimed to discuss tasks for the recovery and sustainable growth of the regional economy and to establish strategic directions.

BNK Busan Bank held the opening ceremony of the "Local Economy Hope Center" on the 8th. (From left: Kim Jongsun, Head of the Small Enterprise and Market Service Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Headquarters; Byun Giwon, CEO of OneKatsu; Bang Seongbin, President of BNK Busan Bank; Jeong Hyundon, Chairman of Busan Venture Business Association; Seo Jonggun, Director of Busan Technology Startup Investment Foundation; Kang Seokrae, Head of Corporate Customer Group at BNK Busan Bank) Provided by BNK Financial Group

This forum was organized to identify collaborative projects where regional finance can create synergies in major local events, such as the government's regional balanced development economic policy, the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, and the establishment of the Southeast Investment Corporation. Through this, participants focused on the three core strategies of "Productive Finance," "Inclusive Finance," and "Responsible Finance" to find a breakthrough for the long-term stagnation of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam regional economy.

First, BNK will prioritize the expansion of productive finance to secure growth engines for the region. To overcome the prolonged low-growth phase, the group will categorize leading companies, high-potential companies, and local small and medium-sized enterprises, providing tailored growth capital to strengthen potential growth drivers. In the marine and shipbuilding sectors, BNK plans to lead the development of region-specific industries through comprehensive support, including financing for Arctic route exploration, establishing venture capital funds for new marine business ventures, and providing financial support for small and medium-sized shipping companies.

Additionally, BNK will expand investments in innovative venture companies and startups to foster future industries and discover unicorn companies in the region. The group has confirmed the relocation of the headquarters of its subsidiaries, BNK Venture Investment and BNK Asset Management, from Seoul to Busan. With group-level support, BNK Venture Investment will establish a strategic fund of over 200 billion won to expand venture capital and supply productive finance. BNK Asset Management will also create a New Marine Powerhouse Fund to support the growth of region-specific industries.

BNK will continue to promote inclusive finance to help normalize small business owners and financially vulnerable groups. On the same afternoon, BNK Busan Bank held the opening ceremony of the "Local Economy Hope Center" on the first floor of its headquarters and announced the official launch of management improvement consulting for small business owners, which includes financial support such as debt restructuring and maturity extensions, as well as customized education programs.

For financially vulnerable groups, BNK will provide opportunities for real recovery by offering debt relief and restructuring, enabling their return to the formal financial sector.

In the area of responsible finance, BNK will offer solutions to address safety issues arising in local industries. Specific initiatives include issuing safety and health evaluation reports and providing industrial accident prevention consulting, as well as supplying facility improvement financing to resolve identified issues.

Based on the three strategies established through this forum, BNK will initially supply a total of 3.7 trillion won in finance: 2.6 trillion won in productive finance, 900 billion won in inclusive finance, and 200 billion won in responsible finance.

BNK aims to use this financial support as a catalyst to revive the stagnant regional economy and to create a turning point for future growth.

A BNK Financial Group representative stated, "Now that the regional economy is moving beyond prolonged low growth and reaching a turning point, the role of regional finance is more important than ever. BNK will become a source of hope for the recovery and growth of the regional economy through productive finance that supports local growth engines, inclusive finance that considers the socially vulnerable, and responsible finance that fosters a safe industrial ecosystem."

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