IBK, Selected as 'Retail Bank of the Year' by Asian Banking & Finance

First Overseas Award in Personal Finance Sector... Recognized for SME Worker Preference Program

IBK Industrial Bank of Korea announced on the 5th that it won the 'Domestic Retail Bank of the Year' award at the 20th ABF Awards hosted by Asian Banking & Finance, an Asian financial magazine.

This award is significant as it is the first overseas recognition for IBK's personal finance sector. IBK received the award in high regard for its 'SME Employee Preferential Program,' which has been continuously operated since May last year.

The 'SME Employee Preferential Program' is a comprehensive support program designed to encourage long-term employment by providing differentiated preferential benefits based on the length of service, thereby helping to resolve manpower shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises and stabilizing management. Last year, it provided approximately 10 billion KRW worth of financial and welfare benefits to about 87,000 SME employees.

An IBK official said, "We are very pleased that CEO Kim Sung-tae's management strategy, which emphasizes the co-growth of individuals and companies, has been internationally recognized," adding, "We will strive to extend the SME Employee Preferential Program to more customers to expand its positive impact on customers and society."