Demonstrating Coexistence and Inclusive Finance... BNK Financial Group Achieves Integrated KCGS ESG Rating of A for Four Consecutive Years

A+ in the Social Category for Three Consecutive Years
"Expanding Regional Productive and Green Finance"

BNK Financial Group (Chairman Byun Daein) has received an overall ESG rating of A from the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability (KCGS).

On November 21, BNK announced that it had achieved an integrated ESG rating of A for the fourth consecutive year in the '2025 KCGS ESG Evaluation and Rating Announcement.'

BNK has also received an A+ rating in the Social (S) category for three consecutive years. As a regionally-based financial institution, this achievement is recognized as a tangible result of BNK’s ongoing efforts in regional coexistence and inclusive finance, which align with the government’s policy direction.

BNK Financial Group has undertaken a wide range of initiatives to create social value, including revitalizing the local economy, protecting financial consumers, and strengthening activities to prevent industrial accidents. Expanding financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, providing customized financial products for vulnerable groups, and offering financial support for the socially disadvantaged are regarded as representative achievements that align with the government’s policies to revitalize regional economies and expand inclusive finance.

The 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Regional Productive Finance' project, which was launched in earnest this year, has established itself as BNK Financial Group’s flagship ESG implementation strategy, serving as an ESG business model that links the region’s future industries and finance.

BNK has signed a strategic partnership (MOU) with ING to enhance global sustainability and collaborate on advanced maritime finance. Through this partnership, the company is developing sustainable maritime finance businesses in key regional projects such as offshore wind power, renewable energy, and ship finance.

In the Environmental (E) category, BNK also received an A+ rating for the second consecutive year. The group has strengthened its climate change response system by upgrading its financial emissions measurement system and ESG data platform, setting SBTi-based reduction targets, and expanding green finance. In addition, it is gradually introducing a TNFD-based natural capital risk management system to enhance its capabilities in assessing climate and environmental risks.

In the Governance (G) category, BNK maintained its A rating by upholding a transparent board-centered decision-making system, strengthening internal controls and compliance management, and advancing its sustainability management system to meet international standards.

A BNK Financial Group official stated, "Receiving an A+ rating in the social category for three consecutive years is the highest level of recognition in the financial sector and a meaningful achievement that aligns with government policy. We will further expand regional productive finance as an ESG demonstration project to enhance execution, and we will advance global best practices such as those with ING into BNK’s own model of sustainable maritime finance."

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