Hana Financial Group bolsters foreign investor relations

By Yoon Ja-young

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo is strengthening communication with global investors, engaging in investor relations activities in Hong Kong, Asia's financial hub, on Sept. 5 and 6.

It is Ham's second on-site communication event with investors overseas this year, following an investor relations session in Singapore, which was jointly held by Korean financial companies in May.

According to the financial group, Ham is holding marathon meetings with executives from approximately 10 global investors, including not only long-term investors in Hana but also potential investors who have recently shown interest in the group.

He will share the group's financial performance, sound asset quality, medium to long-term growth strategies and vision, as well as its ESG management, which has already reached a global standard.

He also plans to explain the group's shareholder return policy, which is a major focus of interest among investors, and propose that global investors confidently invest in Hana and grow together with it through steady investments. He will also visit and express gratitude to long-term investors in Hong Kong who have been with the group from the beginning and major institutional investors who have supported the group's ESG management and efforts to expand shareholder returns.

“To expand opportunities for cooperation and communication globally, there is nothing more important than listening to the voices of overseas investors and local employees. We will strengthen communication with investors for Hana's leap toward Asia's top financial group beyond Korea, while leading the promotion of K-Finance through diverse and proactive global communication activities,” Ham said.

Amid uncertainties in the financial market, including the possibility of a hard landing for the global economy and China's deflation, communication with overseas investors has become the top priority for major financial groups. Following the investor relations sessions in Singapore and Hong Kong this year, Hana Financial Group's chairman is planning business meetings in Europe in October, which will likely see him visiting Amsterdam and London.

The move comes as Hana Financial Group seeks to enhance its understanding of foreign investors, who account for about 70 percent of its stakes.