Joined as a High School Graduate Banker,
Rose to Chairman of a Financial Holding Group
Hana Financial Group announced on the 27th that its Chairman Candidate Recommendation Committee (Chairman Committee) held a meeting and recommended the current CEO and Chairman, Ham Young-joo (69), as the sole candidate for the next chairman.
The Chairman Committee had previously selected a shortlist of five candidates for the next chairman on December 23 last year, including Chairman Ham, Vice Chairmen Lee Seung-yeol and Kang Sung-mook, and two external members.
On this day, the Chairman Committee conducted in-depth interviews with the final candidates and confirmed the current CEO and Chairman Ham Young-joo as the final candidate for the next chairman of Hana Financial Group.
The Chairman Committee stated that it conducted in-depth interviews based on presentations (PT) by each candidate according to 14 detailed evaluation criteria across four areas: 'entrepreneurship,' 'vision and mid-to-long-term management strategy,' 'expertise, experience, and global mindset,' and 'network and other capabilities' to recommend the final candidate.
The Chairman Committee explained the background of the final candidate selection, saying, "At a time when uncertainty is increasing both domestically and internationally, and considering the latent risk factors across the financial industry, it is more crucial than ever to have a proven leader with abundant experience and management know-how who can lead the group stably. We reached a consensus that the current Chairman Ham Young-joo, who has served as the integrated bank president and vice chairman of Hana Financial Group and has led the group’s growth over the past three years based on risk management and ESG management, is the best fit."
The Chairman Committee evaluated, "Candidate Ham Young-joo, as the group’s CEO, has internalized internal control and risk management while enhancing operational efficiency throughout the organization through effective management. He contributed to Hana Financial Group achieving its best-ever management performance and record-high stock prices since its founding, fostering both quantitative and qualitative growth of the group."
They added, "Even during difficult economic times, he demonstrated outstanding management capabilities by fulfilling social responsibilities such as practicing win-win management and completing the establishment of the 100th daycare center, thereby creating sustainable corporate value. We judged him to be the right person to lead the group’s future by overcoming uncertainties and strengthening competitiveness in the rapidly changing financial environment."
Born in 1956, Chairman Ham is regarded as a self-made figure who rose from a commercial high school graduate and bank clerk to the CEO of a financial holding company.
Originally from Buyeo, Chungnam, Chairman Ham graduated from Ganggyeong Commercial High School and joined Seoul Bank (the predecessor of Hana Bank) in 1980 as a high school graduate bank clerk.
Ham is also known as a 'sales expert,' having led Hana Bank’s Chungcheong sales group to achieve the top nationwide sales performance.
Recognized for his outstanding sales achievements, affability, and strong trust, he was appointed as the inaugural bank president after the 2015 merger of Hana Bank and Korea Exchange Bank, then served as vice chairman of Hana Financial Group, and has led the organization as chairman of Hana Financial Group for three years since 2022.
According to Hana Financial Group, since Chairman Ham’s inauguration, Hana Bank has maintained its position as the leading bank for two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, and Hana Card’s overseas travel-specialized product 'Travelog' has also gained great popularity.
Chairman Ham’s renewed term will last three years until March 2028. According to previous regulations, even if Ham were reappointed, he could only serve two years until the first general shareholders’ meeting held after he turns 70 in March 2027. However, the internal governance regulations were amended last month to allow him to complete the full term even if he turns 70 while serving as a director, enabling him to serve the full three years.
Ham’s reappointment will be finalized after the board meeting and the regular shareholders’ meeting held in March.
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