Shinhan's securities arm opens first office in Silicon Valley

Shinhan Securities CEO Lee Young-chang, second from left, poses while celebrating the firm's opening of an office in Silicon Valley, California, Oct. 25. Courtesy of Shinhan Securities

By Lee Min-hyung

Shinhan Securities has opened an office in Silicon Valley, California ― the first among local brokerage houses ― with a view to enhancing its expertise in investment banking and its global startup network, the company said.

According to the company, Shinhan Securities' Silicon Valley Representative Office started operating from Tuesday.

The office will play a role as a bridgehead for Shinhan Financial Group to expand its global network and strengthen group-wide capabilities in investment banking, the Shinhan affiliate said. Shinhan Securities runs offices in the major cities of economic powerhouses and emerging economies, such as the United States, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia and China.

The new office in the global tech hub is expected to help Shinhan establish a closer networking system with local startups and investors. The company also seeks fresh opportunities to find promising startups there. It also plans to receive up-to-date market and investment trends by teaming up with renowned investment firms.

“Even if the global financial market escalates uncertainties, innovation and growth will never stop in Silicon Valley,” Shinhan Securities CEO Lee Young-chang said. “We will plant investment seeds in Silicon Valley to embrace the future better by combining our expertise in investments and investment banking.”

Shinhan Securities also shared its plans to help Korean firms set up business ties with startups there, and to offer in-depth information on tech trends.