This is the second in a series of articles featuring challenges and tasks local banks are facing in the midst of the deepening economic downturn. The Korea Times will look into pending issues for the overall banking industry, as well as each major Korean bank. ― ED.
By Kim Jae-kyoung
Staff Reporter
For Kang Chung-won, CEO of Kookmin Bank, the nation's largest lender by assets, 2008 might be an unforgettable year of every misfortune happening at once.
Under his leadership since his inauguration in November 2004, Kookmin has made little progress in increasing its size. As a result, the lender, although still at the top in terms of assets by a slight margin, has lost the role of a leading bank, becoming unable to influence markets with its dominant position as it did before.