Today, we face a combination of challenges – climate crisis, low birth rates, aging society, and outmigration of young individuals – and this highlights the inextricable linkage between the sustainability of local communities and the sustainability of finance. Amid the mainstreaming of digital technologies and the unpredictable competitive landscape, shaping a future of ‘inclusive growth’ along with local communities has become a critical imperative for BNK Financial Group in contributing to sustainable business operations and the advancement of the nation’s economy and industry.
BNK Financial Group’s 2030 goal is to generate sustainable financial synergy among subsidiaries and establish a robust ESG-driven growth model. To this end, we have defined our mid- to long-term ESG strategy anchored on the three strategic directions of ‘Green Finance’, ‘Finance for Shared Growth’, and ‘Ethical Finance’. By 2026, we aim to embed this ESG framework across the organization and strengthen our execution of each strategic pillar, thereby driving meaningful change. In particular, we will actively support the nation’s policy initiative to pursue ‘technology-driven growth’ through ‘green finance’, securing our future growth engines. Our commitment to ‘finance for shared growth’ and ‘ethical finance’ will continuously push us forward to delivering social value for our nation, answering the call for ‘inclusive growth’ and ‘fair growth’.
This report outlines our actions and achievements for the past one year under our mission ‘Ease the Finance, Enrich the Future’, reaffirming our determination to move forward with trust our customers and local communities place in us as we prepare for the upcoming future.
BNK Financial Group views ‘climate change response’ as a fundamental investment for the future, not merely as a risk management issue. In 2024, our GHG emissions reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), establishing an action roadmap to achieve ‘net zero emissions’ for direct/indirect emissions by 2045 and for financed emissions by 2050. In partnership with Busan City and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation, we launched the financial industry’s first green finance model supporting mid/small-sized climate tech companies holding carbon reduction technologies, driving ‘technology-driven growth’ and fostering ‘green industries’. As such, BNK Financial Group plays a leading role in the region’s green transition and continues to enhance the financial sectors’ contribution to environmental sustainability.
As population aging, youth outmigration, and industrial slowdown weaken the resilience of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, BNK Financial Group adopted the ‘Regional Shared Growth Declaration’ in 2024 to contribute to the local community, establishing financial support plans worth KRW 18.4 trillion. As of the end of 2024, KRW 3.546 trillion were executed, providing much-needed support for regional economic revitalization and stable livelihoods. In particular, the Overcoming Crisis Together project allowed us to broaden our targeted support to reach self-employed individuals, small business owners, and financially vulnerable groups to further advance finance for shared growth. BNK Financial Group returns over 10% of net profit to society, maintaining one of the highest social contribution rates in Korea. We plan to raise this further to 15% to accelerate our efforts to create social value.
BNK Financial Group prioritizes substance over formality. In 2024, we launched the Group-level Internal Control Committee in line with the revised Act on Corporate Governance of Financial Companies, establishing an integrated internal control framework to prevent ethical and legal risks in advance. These efforts enable us to establish responsible governance and lay the basis for fair growth.
Looking ahead, BNK Financial Group will reinforce its policy response and execution system guided by its ESG strategies. We will continue to refine our mid- to long-term goals to make meaningful contributions to local communities and the environment. Throughout this all, we will build deeper trust with our customers and position ourselves as a reliable partner for local communities, continuing our journey towards a sustainable future together with the region where we are based.
We look forward to your warm-hearted encouragement and support along the way. Thank you.
