Hana's securities arm seeks to raise global profile with new CEO

By Lee Min-hyung

Hana Financial Investment CEO-nominee Lee Eun-hyung

Hana Financial Investment hopes to raise its global profile with its potential new CEO Lee Eun-hyung. The incumbent vice chairman of Hana Financial Group will take office as the leader of the group's securities arm next week if he is approved at a shareholders meeting.

Lee is best known for his fluency in five languages and global mindset. He earned a doctoral degree in economics at China's Jilin University before joining the nation's third-largest financial holding firm in 2011.

Hana identified Lee as the best figure to help Hana Financial Investment expand its global footprint. While serving as a relatively young vice chairman of the group for a decade, he is known to have established a strong global network in finance.

Lee, 47, will become the nation's youngest CEO in the securities industry after taking office.

Despite his strong global expertise, some critics question his ability to manage the brokerage firm due to his lack of experience in the securities industry. Lee spent most of his career in China, working as professor at Jilin University before joining Hana.

But he is widely expected to generate synergy between Hana Financial Investment and the group's other affiliates in managing the global investment banking business.

“Lee will contribute to Hana Financial Investment's global business expansion, and help the company find new opportunities in the overseas market,” an official from Hana Financial Group said.