KB Securities Publishes 'ESG Report 2023'

KB Securities announced on the 25th that it has published the 'KB Securities ESG Report 2023,' which contains the achievements of 2023 and future plans in the 'ESG+I (Environment, Social, Governance + Investment)' area.

In particular, this ESG report enhanced its credibility by applying global standards, such as adhering to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines for sustainability reporting and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) principles.

A KB Securities official stated, "This ESG report is significant in that it reflects, for the first time, a double materiality assessment that considers not only the traditional single materiality evaluation of external factors' impact on the company but also the influence of corporate management activities on society and the external ecosystem."

The double materiality assessment holds value as it allows for a multidimensional perspective on future sustainability, enabling responses from a two-way viewpoint and providing clearer grounds for rational decision-making.

Furthermore, KB Securities is making every effort to establish financial goals and internalize management strategies that naturally promote environmental and social value through its core businesses of corporate financing, investment, and personal asset management. As of the end of 2023, KB Securities' ESG finance (investment, products, loans) balance reached 1.3668 trillion KRW, achieving its target. Going forward, KB Securities plans to continue focusing on climate finance and the transition to a low-carbon society by enhancing capabilities in financial investment trading, brokerage, and product sales, thereby contributing to KB Financial Group's ESG finance strategic goal (achieving 50 trillion KRW in group sustainable finance targets).

Last year, KB Securities also expanded its focus from internal to external by concentrating on spreading ESG values externally through collaboration and solidarity with external organizations. In particular, it hosted an open communication forum (B Corp Wave) by inviting various external organizations together with B Lab Korea, a non-profit organization that evaluates and certifies the 'B Corp' certification, which recognizes the value of sustainable management of companies and organizations under strict global standards and assessments, to raise awareness of the certification domestically. Additionally, KB Securities is reviewing business opportunities in future renewable energy, climate crisis response decarbonization, and climate tech industries based on refined climate risk management, while also dedicating efforts to discovering, nurturing, and supporting small but powerful social ventures.

KB Securities received recognition for these diverse efforts and management achievements by obtaining industry-leading results (A grade) from external professional ESG evaluation agencies.

Seonghyun Kim and Honggu Lee, Co-CEOs of KB Securities, stated, "Systematic risk management in response to climate change, humanity's greatest threat, and further, the commercialization capabilities related to climate finance will be differentiating factors. We will focus on expanding eco-friendly and decarbonization businesses." They added, "Communication and coexistence with society are very important keywords in the financial sector as well, and KB Securities will grow together with society, fostering a sustainable ecosystem and cultivating the world together with the people."