IBK Industrial Bank Expands Companion Counters for Financially Vulnerable Groups... 26 Branches Selected

Expansion of 'Donghaeng Branch' Operation to Alleviate Financial Difficulties for Vulnerable Groups
Expected Improvement in Offline Financial Accessibility for Elderly, Disabled, and Pregnant Women

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Hwajeong] IBK Industrial Bank announced on the 16th that it will expand the operation of the 'Donghaeng (同行) Counter,' which has been in operation since 2017 to strengthen the protection of financially vulnerable groups.

The Donghaeng Counter is a dedicated counter that prioritizes processing transactions for financially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women to improve transaction convenience. Previously, one Donghaeng Counter was operated per branch. To expand the Donghaeng Counter, IBK selected 26 priority branches for expansion, reflecting the reduction in the number of branches due to digital transformation and the increasing trend of the elderly population.

At 26 branches located in areas with a high proportion of elderly customers and where other banks have closed branches, additional Donghaeng Counters will be installed. Through measures such as introducing a dedicated staff system and conducting training, as well as adding visibility-improved guidance devices, the offline accessibility for financially vulnerable customers will be significantly improved, with plans for gradual further expansion in the future.

An IBK official stated, "Until now, the Donghaeng Counter focused on providing quick and fast transaction processing, but going forward, it will be reborn as a total service counter that simultaneously addresses financial difficulties of vulnerable customers, offers professional consultations, and provides digital education." He added, "We will continue to practice inclusive finance through various activities to ensure that financially vulnerable customers are not unfairly discriminated against or marginalized."