Hana Bank marks New Year with visits to military bases

Hana Bank CEO Lee Ho-seoung, center, and bank employees pose with Maj. Gen. Yang Jin-hyuk, fifth from left, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, and other military officials at Dorasan Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Hana Bank

Hana Bank marked the start of the new year by visiting military units across the country, including a frontline army division near the inter-Korean border, to deliver support for service members, the bank said Thursday.

Hana Bank officials, led by CEO Lee Ho-seoung, visited Dorasan Observatory at the Army’s 1st Infantry Division in Paju, just south of the Demilitarized Zone, on New Year’s Day. The visit was part of a nationwide initiative by the bank to encourage troops serving in key security areas.

The event coincided with Hana Bank taking on the role of operator for Korea’s government-backed "Nara Sarang Card" (Love of Country card) program for enlisted soldiers. It said the visits were intended to demonstrate appreciation for military personnel and highlight its commitment to supporting their welfare.

About 100 employees from Hana Bank’s headquarters joined the visit, along with military officials from the 1st Division. Participants watched the year’s first sunrise together and later shared a traditional New Year’s breakfast of rice cake soup at the base dining hall. The bank also delivered a financial donation to support unit development.

The company said similar visits were carried out nationwide by teams from its regional branches. In total, teams visited nine military units across the country, meeting with commanders and exchanging New Year's greetings.

Hana pledged to expand financial support programs aimed at improving the welfare and long-term financial stability of enlisted soldiers, including tailored banking services and benefits linked to the Nara Sarang Card.

Lee said the bank would work to provide “value beyond basic financial services” to service members through the card program.

He also outlined broader goals for 2026, including accelerating what he described as “productive finance” to support economic growth, expanding inclusive financial services and strengthening consumer protection with a focus on prevention.

Korea maintains mandatory military service for most able-bodied men, and financial institutions often partner with the Ministry of Defense to provide specialized banking products for soldiers during and after their service.