Korea Securities Finance and Kookmin Bank Offer Low-Interest Loans to SMEs Introducing Employee Stock Ownership Plans

Co-Growth Agreement Ceremony Held on the 22nd

Korea Securities Finance held a 'Mutual Growth Agreement Ceremony for Co-prosperity and Realization of Social Value' with KB Kookmin Bank yesterday afternoon at the KB Kookmin Bank New Building in Yeouido, Seoul. The photo shows Yoon Chang-ho, President of Korea Securities Finance, and Lee Jae-geun, President of KB Kookmin Bank, from left to right. Photo by Korea Securities Finance

Korea Securities Finance announced on the 23rd that it will establish a low-interest loan program worth 40 billion KRW targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have introduced the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), in collaboration with KB Kookmin Bank.

Korea Securities Finance and KB Kookmin Bank held a "Win-Win Growth Agreement Ceremony for Coexistence and Realization of Social Value" yesterday afternoon at KB Kookmin Bank's new building in Yeouido, Seoul.

According to the agreement, Korea Securities Finance and KB Kookmin Bank will each contribute 20 billion KRW, creating a total loan fund of 40 billion KRW. Through this, low-interest loans will be provided to SMEs that have adopted the ESOP.

For the supported SMEs, the loan interest rate will be reduced by 1.52 percentage points, with additional reductions based on transaction contribution and credit rating. The loan limit per supported SME is set at up to 1 billion KRW to allow many companies to benefit.

Loan inquiries can be made at KB Kookmin Bank branches. All services related to ESOP support, including the ESOP system, will be provided by Korea Securities Finance, the dedicated trustee institution for ESOP.

Yoon Chang-ho, President of Korea Securities Finance, stated, “Through this agreement, we will provide interest rate reduction benefits to SMEs struggling with recent high interest rates and further contribute to the activation of the ESOP adoption among SMEs. We will continue our efforts for win-win growth between SMEs and workers.”

Lee Jae-geun, President of KB Kookmin Bank, said, “We will share the pain of SMEs facing economic difficulties and provide various customized non-financial services to offer practical support.”