Credit Union Provides 211.5 Billion Won in Financial Support to Social Solidarity Economy Enterprises

Expanding Customized Financial Support
Through Agreements with Local Governments

The National Credit Union Federation of Korea announced on September 5 that its low-interest loan product, operated for social solidarity economy enterprises nationwide, had achieved a cumulative financial supply of 211.5 billion won as of the end of July 2025.

Since introducing the "Credit Union Mutual Growth Cooperation Loan" in July 2016, the Credit Union has actively provided financial support for social solidarity economy enterprises. In particular, by utilizing the "Credit Union Social Economy Support Fund" jointly created by regional credit unions, it has offered low-interest loans with variable rates ranging from 2% to 4% per year, thereby easing the financial burden on social economy enterprises.

Social solidarity economy enterprises typically face difficulties in raising funds from commercial banks due to their short operating history, small scale, and low profitability. To address this, the Credit Union has gone beyond basic financial screening by applying social value assessments and dedicated evaluation criteria, thereby lowering the barriers to financial access for social enterprises and expanding practical support.

As of July 2025, the Credit Union had provided a total of 2,056 loans amounting to a cumulative 211.5 billion won to 1,107 social solidarity economy enterprises nationwide. Notably, it supported various sectors, including manufacturing (37.4 billion won), solar power generation (30.7 billion won), educational services (24.3 billion won), health and social services (21.4 billion won), and wholesale and retail trade (20.6 billion won), contributing to the creation of a sustainable growth foundation for local cooperatives and social enterprises.

The Credit Union is also continuously expanding its cooperation with local governments. It signed financial business agreements for social economy funds with Gyeonggi Province in 2019, South Chungcheong Province in 2020, and South Gyeongsang Province in 2021, realizing region-specific financial support. Financial support was provided to Gyeonggi Province (47 billion won for 388 corporations), South Chungcheong Province (8.6 billion won for 122 corporations), and South Gyeongsang Province (1.6 billion won for 29 corporations).

Kim Yoon-sik, Chairman of the National Credit Union Federation of Korea, stated, "As Korea's leading financial cooperative, the Credit Union is building a financial ecosystem for the growth of social solidarity economy enterprises based on the values of cooperation and mutual prosperity." He added, "We will continue to expand cooperation with industry- and sector-specific associations and accelerate efforts to realize social solidarity finance, where both our members and local communities grow together."