Woori Financial Group Accelerates Push for Productive and Inclusive Finance

by Lee Eunjoo

Published 20 Apr.2026 11:14(KST)

Woori Financial Group is accelerating the expansion of productive and inclusive finance, strengthening the execution of policy finance initiatives.

On the 17th, Woori Financial Group held the "April Advanced Strategic Industry Finance Council" chaired by Chairman Lim Jong-ryong. On this day, Chairman Lim (first from the left in the back row) emphasized the golden time for productive and inclusive finance and urged to accelerate support.

Woori Financial Group announced that on April 17, it held the April Advanced Strategic Industrial Finance Council at its headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, chaired by Chairman Lim Jong-ryong, to review the first quarter results and second quarter action plans for productive and inclusive finance. The meeting was attended by Woori Bank President Jeong Jin-wan, as well as the CEOs and executives of key subsidiaries including securities, savings bank, capital, asset management, venture capital, private equity, and research institute. This council serves as a venue to check the implementation status of the 80 trillion won Future Co-Growth Project, which has been underway since September last year. The participants agreed on the necessity to accelerate the execution of productive finance, especially amid increased external uncertainties such as the war in the Middle East.

In the area of productive finance, tangible results are emerging from participation in mega projects linked to advanced strategic industries. Woori Bank has participated in projects such as the Shinan Ui Offshore Wind Power, Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek Semiconductor Facility, and investment in AI semiconductor company Rebellions, in connection with the Korea Development Bank-led National Growth Fund. The group is also expanding support for small and medium-sized partner companies through agreements with large corporations, Korea Technology Finance Corporation, and Korea Trade Insurance Corporation.

Subsidiaries also made individual investments. In the first quarter, Woori Investment & Securities deployed 68.6 billion won in venture capital in the future mobility, aviation, aerospace, and defense sectors, and plans to make additional investments of more than 15 billion won in the second quarter, focusing on semiconductors and biotech. Woori Asset Management invested 40 billion won in mobility sector companies and established the Woori Productive Finance Education Infrastructure Fund No.1, worth 137 billion won. Woori PE invested 353 billion won through the Woori Bailey National Growth PEF, and is also promoting funds to support SMEs and mid-sized companies outside the Seoul metropolitan area and those engaged in exports.

In the inclusive finance sector, the focus was on expanding tangible support. Woori Bank capped the maximum interest rate on personal credit loans at 7% per year, resulting in total interest reductions of 620 million won for approximately 35,000 customers in the first quarter. The bank also suspended collection of small claims debts and waived interest in parallel. The Woori WON Dream Living Expense Loan was utilized by 551 people within ten days of its launch.

Woori Savings Bank executed 149.1 billion won in inclusive finance funds in the first quarter, an increase of 26.3 billion won compared to the same period last year. The bank also recorded industry-leading levels in both acceptance rate of interest rate reduction requests and outstanding balances of Saitdol Loans. Woori Financial Group plans to complete the establishment of the group-wide inclusive finance platform '36.5' in May. Through this, it will offer services such as bank conversion of secondary financial sector loans and limit inquiries on a single screen. Chairman Lim Jong-ryong said, "Productive and inclusive finance is a promise Woori Financial Group made to the market and customers," adding, "We must act quickly to ensure we do not miss the golden time for financial support, especially amid significant external shocks."