Woori Financial Opens Goodwill Store Milal Ansan Sangnok Branch

Creating Jobs for People with Developmental Disabilities
Installation of Smart Kiosks and More Inside the Store

Woori Financial Group's Woori Financial Future Foundation announced on July 28 that, together with the Milal Welfare Foundation, it opened the 'Goodwill Store Milal Ansan Sangnok Branch' in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province on July 25 to create jobs for people with developmental disabilities.

The newly opened Goodwill Store Milal Ansan Sangnok Branch features Woori Bank's digital branch, 'Digital EXPRESS', installed inside the store. A 'micro branch' has also been established to enhance financial accessibility for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities. 'Digital EXPRESS' is an unmanned branch based on video consultations, where key banking services such as deposits, loan consultations, and overseas remittances can be handled non-face-to-face through the latest digital devices, including a digital desk and smart kiosk. Professional banking staff are stationed on-site to provide assistance.

(From left) Ha Ugil, Store Manager of Goodwill Store Milal Ansan Sangnok Branch; Yoo Younggyun, Executive Director of Korea Goodwill Industrial Association; Jang Kwangik, Secretary General of Woori Financial Future Foundation; Kim Hanmin, Staff of Goodwill Store Milal Ansan Sangnok Branch; Han Sangwook, Head of Goodwill Division at Milal Welfare Foundation are taking a commemorative photo. Woori Financial Group

Woori Financial Group plans to participate in government policies aimed at alleviating the inconvenience of financially vulnerable groups caused by the closure of local bank branches. To do so, it will be the first in the financial sector to pilot an 'innovative branch' model that combines a Goodwill Store and banking services within unused bank spaces. As the first example, the 'Innovative Branch No. 1' will open in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province in September.

'Goodwill Store' is a workplace and retail store for people with disabilities, where individuals with developmental disabilities are employed using profits generated from the sale of goods donated by companies and individuals. There are currently 43 stores nationwide, employing around 480 people with developmental disabilities. To promote a culture of donation, Woori Financial Future Foundation has installed and operates 'Goodwill Donation Boxes' at Woori Bank branches, and also provides a 'Goodwill Store Item Donation Service' within the Woori WON Banking application (app). Donated items are sold at the 'Goodwill Store', and donors can receive tax deduction benefits during year-end tax settlements.

A Woori Financial Group representative stated, "As bank counters are gradually disappearing and the need to strengthen financial accessibility is becoming more urgent, we aim to fulfill our public role in finance by creating our own 'innovative branch'.