Hana Bank CEO Kim Jung-tae, second from left, puts a 1,000-won bill into a donation box with bank staff at the “Walk and Donate” event at the lender’s headquarters in Seoul, April 16. Participants donate 1 won for every 10 steps. / Courtesy of Hana Bank

By Kim Jae-kyoung
Staff Reporter

Since it declared the launch of "Running Green Bank" in April 2009, Hana Bank, the flagship of Hana Financial Group, has introduced a wide variety of green financial products while conducting various environment-friendly campaign and events.

The move came as part of the bank's efforts to strengthen its environment-oriented management and support the government's vision to transform the county into a green economic power.

The green bank activities have pursued three key values - green growth, field-centered management, and financial health, with the activities divided into three levels - the nation, enterprise and individuals.

"Hana has actively pushed for diverse activities to transform the perception of environmental issues by forming a common understanding with the local community, including our energy-saving activities complying with the government policy for low-carbon, green growth,'' a Hana executive said.

"Our activities for green finance and environmental protection pursue not only a clean environment but also healthy sustainable growth in which man and nature can coexist. We are seeking to carry out diverse green, eco-friendly programs that make our lives healthier with a basic policy of low carbon, green growth,'' he added.

Hana is considered an industry leader in the development of green products as it introduced the Hana Solar Loan, the first loan product related alternative energy, in 2007, in a move to support the nation's environment-friendly development. The product was designed to provide funds for developers of solar power plants. It has supplied a total of 182.1 billion won in solar loans for 49 companies.

In addition, the group has unveiled other green products, including its "Energy Saving Loan" and "Green Installment Savings" programs, which offer preferred interest rates to customers who lead environment-friendly lives.

Green Campaigns

Hana Financial, headed by Chairman Kim Seung-yu, has implemented a range of environment protection campaigns, including the "River Love Foot Relay," a campaign designed to remove harmful plants from rivers and raise funds for the protection of the environment.

It has also actively participated in the government's "Low Carbon, Green Growth" policy with a campaign called "No Car Day" each month. In addition, the group has cultivated 133 hectares of woods in Yangpyeon, Gyeonggi Province, from April 2007 under an agreement signed with the Korea Forest Service in June 2006, the first of its kind among local financial companies.

It has also engaged innovative ideas to share the benefits of forests with more people by improving hiking courses, planting trees and installing information signs.

Additionally, the group has implemented the "Hana Program for Visiting Beautiful Woods Together With Children," hosted jointly with the Wood and Culture Research Society from 1993. The campaign is an experience-based education program that helps children realize the value of nature through personal experience. A total of 2,220 children had participated in the program as of 2008.

Green Events

The group has also developed a wide range of events to promote green culture in the Korean community. The "Hana Green Concert" is one of the group's primary means of highlighting the importance of environmental responsibility.

Since 1993, the concert has been held in all regions of Korea, especially targeting rural areas where people have limited access to art and cultural events. Each concert aims to raise awareness of conservation and sustainability.

Audiences are invited to take a moment to consider their own consumption, and to make resolutions concerning the use of air conditioners, electricity and automobiles, as well as promoting conservation practices.

"The 2008 concert theme, 'Save the Green,' highlighted our group's commitment to protecting the earth and preserving nature. The concerts have been well-attended and have established an excellent reputation over the years, helping to foster Hana Financial Group's image as a company that cares about environmental issues,'' the executive said.

The "Hana Green Poster Competition" is another event that demonstrates the group's green management philosophy. The contest gives elementary schoolchildren a chance to show off their artistic skills and demonstrate their love for the environment.

Since its inception in 1993, the competition has grown to attract an annual average of 25,000 participants. In 2008, the group received about 50,000 posters, the highest number ever recorded for an elementary school art contest.

kjk@koreatimes.co.kr