By Kim Jae-won
Outgoing Woori Bank CEO Lee Chong-hwi said “basic” and “principle” are two key words for success in the banking industry during his meeting with reporters, Wednesday. The 61-year-old departs today after serving for 40 years as a banker.
“There is no royal road to success except keeping basics and principles. Deceiving your boss looks easy, but it will definitely prevents you from ultimate success.”
“I have taken life step by step. I may not have gotten good positions at first. But I climbed one step at a time.”
Lee also congratulated the lender’s CEO-designate Lee Soon-woo, who worked for him for three years as a deputy.
“I am glad that Deputy President Lee Soon-woo has been appointed as my successor. He is the best person who can stabilize the lender and keep our business strategies,” he said. “He has a passion, and is experienced enough to be a good CEO.”
The outgoing Lee joked that he may head an insurance company or an incorporated institution.
“One of my friends said that part of my first name ‘hwi’ symbolizes my career path. He said the first alphabet ‘h’ means Hanil Bank, which I started my banking career at, and ‘W’ means Woori Bank, who I have been working for, so I am going to take a job this time in a company, whose first alphabet starts with ‘i’,” Lee said.
The “i” in question means insurance firms, he said.
Lee read a poem titled “Today I want to go home early,” which Lee said shows his wish to spend more time with his family.
“My wife said that I don’t need to make money anymore. And my daughter asked me to play with my grandson.”
Lee has been widely respected by the lender’s employees for his soft and delicate leadership. An executive of the lender said he never saw that Lee yell at an employee.
“He is a leader, who practices by himself, and asks employees to follow him. I have been impressed with his conduct,” said an executive.