KB Financial to Expand Financial Support for SMEs and Small Businesses Affected by Export Decline

A total of 8 trillion KRW in interest rate preferential programs through KB Kookmin Bank
Special contribution of 23 billion KRW to Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and Korea Technology Finance Corporation
150 billion KRW in win-win co-growth loans for automobile-related companies

KB Financial Group announced on the 7th that it will expand financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small business owners who are struggling due to continued domestic demand sluggishness and the U.S. reciprocal tariff measures.

Exterior view of the KB Financial Group headquarters. Provided by KB Financial.

Its major affiliate, KB Kookmin Bank, will operate an interest rate preferential program worth a total of 8 trillion KRW. To reduce the interest burden on SMEs and small business owners, the 'Branch Manager Authorized Interest Rate Preferential Program' will be increased from the existing 1.5 trillion KRW to 3 trillion KRW, and the 'Temporary Special Interest Rate Preferential Program' for SMEs engaged in national key strategic industries will also be expanded from 3 trillion KRW to 5 trillion KRW.

Additionally, a total of 23 billion KRW will be specially contributed to the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation to supply guarantees worth 840 billion KRW. Innovative growth companies and export companies with weak collateral and credit ratings can receive guarantee certificates with a 100% guarantee ratio preferential agreement for three years or receive support for guarantee fees within a maximum of 1.5 percentage points.

Separately, to support automobile-related companies expected to face difficulties due to U.S. tariff measures, KB Financial Group has signed a business agreement with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and plans to promptly supply low-interest co-growth win-win loans totaling 150 billion KRW.

A KB Financial Group official stated, "We will actively support financial market stability and funding for the real sector, including companies, through support for SMEs and small business owners."