KB Financial Group is launching the 'KB National Happiness Growth Project,' a 20 trillion won initiative aimed at fostering advanced strategic industries and supporting small businesses in 2026, and will actively practice productive finance.
On the 23rd, KB Financial held the 3rd Group Productive Finance Advisory Committee meeting at the new building of KB Kookmin Bank in Yeouido, Seoul, to establish detailed execution plans based on this initiative.
The project operates under the two pillars of 'growth,' which supports corporate and industrial growth, and 'hope,' which embodies inclusive financial values.
The confirmed 20 trillion won execution plan for this year includes 2 trillion won for the National Growth Fund, 3 trillion won for group investments, 12 trillion won for corporate loans, and 3 trillion won for inclusive finance. In particular, a 200 billion won annual corporate investment fund will be established for venture investments and supporting promising companies, planning to invest a total of 1 trillion won in advanced industries over the next five years.
This fund is a medium- to long-term project created solely from capital of KB Kookmin Bank, KB Securities, KB Insurance, and other affiliates. By investing in matching funds in conjunction with policy funds, it induces a multiplier effect by supplying up to 10 trillion won in investment capital to the market over the next five years. With KB Asset Management selected as the government's entrusted operator of the 'National Participation Fund,' the project enhances its synergy with policy finance.
Organizational restructuring and evaluation system improvements are also being carried out to enhance on-site execution capabilities. KB Financial has established specialized advisory bodies for investment finance and corporate loans, and KB Kookmin Bank has introduced separate indicators related to productive finance in its key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2026. Reflecting preferential criteria in the evaluation of branch profitability and growth, the plan is to accelerate the actual transition to corporate finance.
To strengthen assessment capabilities, a 'Advanced Strategic Industry Assessment Unit' has been established, and external legal experts such as lawyers have been recruited. Collaborating with related agencies such as the Small and Medium Business Venture Corporation, the plan is to establish a comprehensive financial support system that encompasses the discovery of promising small and medium-sized ventures and the nurturing of unicorn companies.
Kim Sung-hyun, head of the Corporate Investment Finance (CIB) Market Division at KB Financial, emphasized that the transition to productive finance is not just about fulfilling a social role, but is a necessary task for the group's sustainable growth. He stressed that all affiliates must internalize this as part of their daily financial activities.