Hana Card to focus on data business with new CEO

By Lee Min-hyung

Hana Card's new CEO Kwon Gil-joo

Hana Card's new CEO Kwon Gil-joo pledged Thursday to tackle market uncertainties by reinforcing its data business and launching more customer-oriented services.

Kwon took office as the leader of the card company after his appointment was approved at a shareholders' meeting.

Kwon underscored the need for officials to boost the firm's presence in the data and payment settlement businesses during his one-year tenure.

“We should focus more on mapping out data and payment settlement service strategies, and expanding customer bases, even if the industry will continue to face challenges throughout this year,” he said.

The first thing he did after becoming CEO was to visit the company's customer service center in Seoul to encourage employees there.

“I will not spare any efforts in providing support for them to do their work without any difficulties,” he said. Kwon then made his way to the company's headquarters to spend time with a group of employees there.

“As the new CEO, I will remain open-minded in listening to the voices of employees and help resolve any difficulties they face in the workplace,” he said.

Kwon started his career at the former Korea Exchange Bank in 1985. After the bank merged with Hana Bank in 2015, he served a number of posts particularly in the area of information and communication technology (ICT).

He worked as vice president at the lender's ICT group in 2018. He also served as vice president of Hana Financial Group in 2019.

Before becoming Hana Card's CEO, he led Dooreseening, an enterprise solution provider and subsidiary of Hana Financial Group, for a year.

Hana Financial identified Kwon as the best person to lead the card subsidiary due to his diverse experience in managing the digital business.

His previous career also includes leading a business-support department at Hana SK Card, which became Hana Card in 2015.

“Kwon played a key role in the company's growth and has an expert-level understanding of the card industry, so he is considered one of the most qualified figures to lead Hana Card's sustainable growth down the road,” an official at the company said.