[Weekly Savings Banks] "Thanks to Medical Staff"... Savings Banks Join the Deokbune Challenge

Son Jong-ju, Chairman of Welcome Financial Group (center front row), and other group executives and employees are participating in the 'Thanks to You Challenge' to support COVID-19 medical staff. Photo by Welcome Financial Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Welcome Financial Group has stepped up to support medical staff who are working tirelessly on the frontlines to overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Welcome Financial announced that Group Chairman Son Jong-joo and over 60 executives and employees from affiliated companies participated in the ‘#ThanksToYou Challenge’ to express their gratitude to COVID-19 medical personnel.

This campaign, which expresses appreciation to medical staff along with the sign language symbolizing respect and pride, is known as a representative event of positive influence, with participation from government officials, businesspeople, and celebrities.

Chairman Son said, “I extend my deep gratitude to the medical staff who are fighting COVID-19 day and night,” adding, “Welcome Financial will continue to participate and support efforts to overcome COVID-19 as a partner to ordinary citizens and small businesses.”

In March, Welcome Financial donated 100 million KRW to the Hope Bridge National Disaster Relief Association for COVID-19 relief and also launched a blood donation campaign. Additionally, more than 30 executives donated emergency disaster relief funds, engaging in various activities to help overcome COVID-19.

◆ No More Voice Phishing!…Sangsangin Savings Bank Prevents Fraud

Sangsangin Savings Bank recently received a letter of appreciation from the police for its efforts in preventing electronic financial fraud (voice phishing).

On March 30, Deputy Manager Jung Eun-kyung, working at the Bucheon branch of Sangsangin Savings Bank located in Sang-dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, was requested by a customer in his 20s, Mr. A, to prematurely terminate a time deposit and withdraw cash for his father’s business funds. Noticing the customer’s anxious behavior during the process, Deputy Manager Jung sensed it was a voice phishing attempt and reported it to the police through a colleague. She then naturally delayed the transaction until the police arrived on site, preventing the withdrawal and protecting the customer’s deposit of 16 million KRW.

On the 18th, Hong Ki-hyun, Chief of the Bucheon Wonmi Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, personally presented a letter of appreciation to Deputy Manager Jung.

Lee In-seop, CEO of Sangsangin Savings Bank, stated, “We regularly conduct crime prevention education and training to respond to voice phishing,” adding, “By establishing an emergency communication system with the police, we were able to quickly prevent criminal damage.”

Meanwhile, Sangsangin Savings Bank also prevented voice phishing crimes amounting to 50 million KRW and 30 million KRW at its Suji branch in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province in 2017 and its Pyeongchon branch in Anyang City in 2018, respectively.

◆ Expansion and Relocation of Busan Branch to Centum City

ACUON Savings Bank announced that it has expanded and relocated its Busan branch from Buk-gu to Centum City in Haeundae-gu to strengthen deposit and loan customer services in the Busan area.

The new Busan branch of ACUON Savings Bank is located on the 5th floor of the Centum Imperial Tower Building, directly connected to Exit 11 of Centum City Station on Subway Line 2. The area is densely packed with large commercial facilities such as BEXCO, Shinsegae Department Store, Lotte Department Store, and Homeplus. ACUON Savings Bank expects that the branch’s location in a station area with high foot traffic will improve accessibility for existing customers and help attract new customers.

Lee Ho-geun, CEO of ACUON Savings Bank, said, “We opened the new Busan branch to provide better deposit and loan services to customers and to strengthen retail sales capabilities in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (BU-Gyeong) region,” adding, “We will spare no support to become a financial company that contributes to the revitalization of Busan’s economy and the development of the local community.”