Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
KB speeds up business transformation in 2nd half
KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-gyu speaks during a group-wide meeting on business strategy for the second half of the year at Grand Walkerhill Seoul hotel in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of KB Financial Group
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
KB Financial Group discussed a group-wide business strategy for the second half of this year under its broader vision of coping with a rapidly-changing banking environment, the lender said Sunday.
It said Chairman Yoon Jong-gyu and 270 executives from the group's affiliates joined the one-day meeting under the theme of “Toward the Future,” Friday.
The meeting was held as the financial group pushes to maintain its years-long lead in the banking industry, after temporarily conceding the top position to Shinhan Financial Group in terms of earnings last year.
“The meeting focused on how we can succeed in business transformation and also take our customer-oriented management to a higher level,” KB Financial Group said.
The meeting consisted of a Q&A session with Yoon, presentations from the CEOs of group affiliates and lectures from an invited digital expert.
Among the issues addressed during the Q&A were the future of KB Financial Group, growth strategies, personnel management, corporate culture and leadership.
The chairman cited the need to keep up with the digital revolution “through innovation of KB Finanical Group's competence and creation of new values.”
“We must work hard for customer satisfaction in the near future and I urge every one of us to make efforts to turn KB Financial Group into a purpose-driven firm and remain as a trustworthy financial partner for involved parties,” Yoon said.
During the presentation, the CEOs shared their thoughts on bolstering the competence of their respective affiliate, nurturing growth engines, enhancing corporate responsibility and contributing to building a future infrastructure.
The lectures centered on how artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging digital technologies can change the banking industry, plus how financial services should be developed by observing environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) principles.