 |
| KB Financial Group Chairman and CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo speaks during the banking group's strategic meeting for the second half at Grand Walkerhill Seoul hotel in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of KB Financial Group |
By Yi Whan-woo
KB Financial Group Chairman and CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo hosted a strategic meeting to discuss the policy and management direction of the country's largest banking group for the second half, the company announced on Sunday.
It said the meeting at Grand Walkerhill Seoul hotel in Seoul, Friday, was attended by all 270 executives of the company, focusing on how to enhance unity and change as it tries to cope with the rapidly-changing banking environment, which now has a greater reliance on digital technology, brought on by the pandemic era.
Being the first in-person meeting among all KB executives since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it also discussed business challenges posed by soaring inflation and stagnant growth.
The company accordingly laid out specific goals for the second half. They are, enhancing its unique, competitive characteristics compared to rivals, expanding global business and non-financial sectors, improving the digital platform, nurturing environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG)-oriented leadership and fostering talented workers on the global stage.
"The mission of financial services companies centers on safeguarding clients' assets at a time of crises," Yoon said, adding KB Financial Group will faithfully serve its role as "a breakwater for its clients."
He especially underscored corporate financing for climate action and consulting services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on ESG management on KB Financial Group's path to carrying out its responsibility as the leading banking group.
"We should go back to basics in this challenging time that we currently face, to help ourselves do the best and enhance customer value," he said.
The meeting included a Q&A session on future strategies, personnel management and corporate culture.
Participants were also divided into five groups to share their ideas on how KB Financial Group can emerge as a game-changer in the market.
![[INTERVIEW] A touch of authenticity in Korea's Mexican cuisine scene](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fe12560b2c8f402dbfc2dbc8eaa18c2a.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] 'Extended deterrence is best option to ensure peace on Korean Peninsula'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/202302/07dded4a953e426e87a955bfba1d638e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] US-NK summit is unlikely in 2023: Korea Society](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/e955fbc4d45d4554a4872e07178b657a.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] IMF expects no recession for Korean economy](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/113efdff98f448669023285500576943.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
