[2024 Capital Investment Award] Valuable Achievements Amid Challenging Market Conditions

18th Asia Capital Investment Awards
Grand Prize to Samsung Securities

The '2024 Asia Capital Investment Awards,' established to boost the morale of financial investment companies that serve as a driving force for corporate development through fostering a healthy capital market and provide individuals with opportunities for asset growth, marked its 18th edition this year. Samsung Securities was honored with the grand prize at this year's Asia Capital Investment Awards. The awards ceremony, held at 2 p.m. on the 5th at Lotte Hotel, was attended by Lee Yoon-soo, Standing Commissioner of the Financial Services Commission's Securities and Futures Commission, Jung Eun-bo, Chairman of the Korea Exchange, and Seo Yoo-seok, Chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association, who delivered congratulatory remarks and presented the awards.

On the 5th, key guests and award recipients attending the '2024 Asia Capital Investment Awards Ceremony' held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo. From the front row, starting from the left and moving counterclockwise: Jae-kwang Shin, Head of Multi-Asset Management at Samsung Asset Management; Mi-yeon Lee, Head of FI Management at Korea Investment Trust Management; Young-ho Kim, Head of Investment Division at IMM PE; Byung-heon Kim, Head of Infrastructure Investment Division at IMM Investment; Seok-hee Lee, Head of Pension WM Division at KB Asset Management; Kyung-hee Park, Vice President at Samsung Securities; Won-taek Yang, Head of Investment Products Division at Korea Investment & Securities; Man-chul Yoon, Head of Customer Solutions Division at KB Securities; Il-hyun Han, Head of Platform Business Division at Shinhan Investment Corp.; Sang-bin Park, Head of Pension Trust Division at Hana Securities; Su-jin Son, Head of WM Pension Marketing Division at Mirae Asset Global Investments; Jun-seo Lee, President of the Korea Securities Association; Yoo-seok Seo, Chairman of the Korea Financial Investment Association; Eun-bo Jeong, Chairman of the Korea Exchange; Byung-hyun Woo, CEO of Asia Economy; Yun-soo Lee, Standing Commissioner of the Securities and Futures Commission at the Financial Services Commission; Soo-hong Cho, Head of Research Division at NH Investment & Securities; Yu-seok Na, Executive Director in charge of IPO at Daishin Securities; Shin-gyu Park, Head of Pension Innovation Division at Mirae Asset Securities; Kyu-chan Oh, Head of Global Investment Management Division at Shinhan Asset Management. Photo by Jin-hyung Kang

In his congratulatory speech, Standing Commissioner Lee Yoon-soo stated, "Recent changes in the trade environment and geopolitical risks have made domestic and international conditions challenging, and our stock market is also not in a favorable situation. At times like these, the virtuous cycle of the capital market, which supplies funds necessary for corporate growth and enables the public to enjoy the fruits as investment returns, is crucial. The government will continue to pursue capital market advancement policies centered on three pillars: establishing a fair and transparent market order, enhancing capital market accessibility, and establishing shareholder value corporate management." He added, "Since these goals are difficult to achieve by government efforts alone, we ask the financial investment industry at the forefront of the capital market to actively participate in efforts to restore investor trust, provide innovative financial products and services, and foster a value-up investment culture to advance the capital market."

Chairman Jung Eun-bo said, "Currently, the domestic stock market is facing ongoing 'Korea Discount,' uncertainties due to changes in U.S. government policies, and domestic and international difficulties such as Korea's declining economic growth rate. To overcome these challenges and improve the stock market's structure, the Korea Exchange is making various efforts, including promoting the value-up program and eliminating zombie companies." Chairman Jung emphasized, "Now is an important time to create an opportunity for our capital market to rebound," and urged securities firms and asset management companies, which serve as bridges between companies and investors, to play their roles in leveling up the Korean stock market.

Chairman Seo Yoo-seok stated, "This year has been a time when our financial investment industry has devoted itself to the stability and growth of the capital market despite domestic and international economic uncertainties. However, facing the chronic issue of Korea Discount in our stock market and the national challenges of overcoming low birth rates and an aging society, our capital market stands at a critical juncture preparing for another leap forward. Beyond simple stock price boosting, achieving qualitative growth of our economy and capital market through value-up, and securing new momentum for increasing national assets and economic growth, is a task that all of us must solve," he conveyed.

Samsung Securities, which received the grand prize awarded by the Financial Services Commission Chairman, was evaluated as the most outstanding across all sectors, including Wealth Management (WM), Investment Banking (IB), Research, and Retirement Pension. Lee Joon-seo, Chairman of the Korean Securities Association and professor of business administration at Dongguk University, who served as the head judge, said, "The judging panel compared and analyzed evaluation materials across sectors such as WM, IB, Information Technology (IT), Research, Retirement Pension, Funds, and Deals. Despite a market shaken by the U.S. presidential election and geopolitical risks, domestic securities and asset management firms have achieved remarkable growth in each field," he assessed.

The top awards by sector were given to Korea Investment & Securities and KB Securities in the WM sector; Daishin Securities in the IB sector; NH Investment & Securities in the Research sector; Mirae Asset Securities and Hana Securities in the Retirement Pension sector; and Shinhan Investment Corp. in the Mobile Trading System (MTS) sector. Mirae Asset Global Investments was selected as the Best Asset Management Company, and the Best Fund Awards went to Samsung Asset Management, Korea Investment Trust Management, KB Asset Management, and Shinhan Asset Management. The Best Deal Award this year was given to the IMM Consortium.