The heads of Korea’s four major financial groups, from left: KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee, Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo and Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-yong. Courtesy of each group
Korea’s four major financial holding companies — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — will treat the accelerating shift in technology and financial paradigms as both a challenge and an opportunity in 2026, pledging to revamp business models around productive finance while expanding into new growth areas, their chairmen said in New Year’s messages Friday.
The leaders shared a focus on accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation; strengthening risk management and advisory-based businesses amid rapid asset shifts; and maximizing synergies across banking, securities and insurance. They also identified emerging fields such as digital assets and won-based stablecoins as key areas for securing sustainable competitiveness.
KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee outlined “transition and expansion” as the guiding principle of the group’s management strategy for 2026.
“KB should safeguard its existing strengths and foundations while reshaping its business approach to adapt to a changing environment and broadening its reach to customer segments and markets that have so far received less attention,” Yang said.
He stressed that turning paradigm shifts such as productive finance into engines of strategic growth requires stronger expertise in business feasibility assessments and a more sophisticated risk management framework.
“As money moves (from banks to securities firms) continue to undermine traditional profit structures, KB must strengthen advisory- and consultation-based operations to deliver integrated asset and liability solutions,” he said.
Yang also underscored the importance of moving swiftly to secure customers and business opportunities in emerging areas such as digital assets and AI.
Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong said the financial industry has reached a pivotal moment as technology reshapes the existing order.
He outlined key strategic priorities — accelerating AI and digital transformation; fostering future-oriented businesses through stronger synergies among banking, securities, insurance and asset management units; expanding productive finance; and reinforcing financial consumer protection.
“If we remain stuck in old ways, we cannot survive in the future financial arena. To go somewhere different, we must run at least twice as fast, which is why continuous change and innovation are essential,” Jin said.
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said that as the National Assembly moves closer to legislating won-denominated stablecoins, financial groups must take the lead in shaping and proactively building an ecosystem spanning issuance, distribution, usage and circulation.
“As the ultimate reach of the impact remains uncertain, fundamental innovation resilient enough to withstand sweeping change will be necessary,” Ham said. “Coin issuance, reserve management and secure systems alone will not suffice. Partnerships with a broad range of domestic and global players are needed to secure practical use cases and complete a stablecoin distribution network tied to everyday transactions.”
Woori Financial Group Chairman Yim Jong-ryong said productive finance is the area in which Woori, long known for its strength in corporate banking, holds its clearest advantage. He pledged to step up efforts in this field to secure new growth engines while actively advancing inclusive finance to fulfill the financial sector’s broader social responsibilities.
“A companywide AI transformation will further upgrade our AI capabilities and bolster our future competitiveness in digital growth industries,” Yim said. “We will strengthen our position as a full-service financial group built around banking, insurance and securities and accelerate sustainable growth through stronger synergies.”