Korea's top financial groups set their 2026 agenda: AI, productive finance, and stablecoin ecosystems
Korea's four major financial groups - KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori - are treating 2026 as a reset. Their chairs are aligning on a common direction: lean into AI and digital execution, pivot profit models toward advisory-driven, productive finance, and move early on digital assets, including won-based stablecoins.
The message is straightforward: the profit engine is shifting as funds move from deposits to markets, and the firms that adapt fastest will keep client share and margin. Expect tighter risk frameworks, stronger group synergies, and a push to own the customer relationship end-to-end across banking, securities, insurance, and asset management.
The shared 2026 playbook
- Accelerate AI and digital transformation across core workflows, client engagement, and operations.
- Strengthen risk management and feasibility assessments to support productive finance and new asset classes.
- Shift profit models toward advisory and integrated balance-sheet solutions as deposit-to-securities flows persist.
- Build group-wide synergies across banking, securities, insurance, and asset management.
- Develop capabilities in digital assets and prepare for won-based stablecoins and their use cases.
Group-by-group moves
KB Financial Group
Chairman Yang Jong-hee set "transition and expansion" as KB's theme for 2026. The mandate: protect core strengths, adapt the business approach to new market conditions, and reach under-served customer segments.
Yang tied productive finance to upgraded feasibility reviews and a tighter risk framework. With margin pressure from money moving into securities, KB will double down on advisory-driven offerings and integrated asset/liability solutions while moving quickly in AI and digital assets.
Shinhan Financial Group
Chairman Jin Ok-dong called this a pivotal moment as technology resets the industry's order. Priorities include faster AI and digital execution, deeper group synergies, a bigger productive finance footprint, and stronger consumer protection.
Jin's tone was blunt: standing still is not an option. The group will push continuous change and innovation to stay competitive.
Hana Financial Group
Chairman Ham Young-joo sees won-denominated stablecoins nearing legislation and wants financial groups to lead the full stack: issuance, distribution, usage, and circulation. He emphasized that safe reserves and secure systems are table stakes; the real work is practical use cases and a distribution network that connects to daily transactions.
Hana plans to partner widely - domestically and globally - to build the ecosystem, from treasury and payments to merchant acceptance and loyalty integrations.
Woori Financial Group
Chairman Yim Jong-ryong identified productive finance as Woori's strongest lever, given its corporate banking depth. The group will scale this area to unlock new growth and advance inclusive finance to meet broader social responsibilities.
A companywide AI transformation sits at the core of Woori's plan. Expect more integrated offerings across banking, insurance, and securities, with synergies used to drive sustainable growth.
What to watch in 2026
- Stablecoin policy and market pilots: clarity on won-based stablecoin legislation and early production use cases.
- AI moving from pilots to P&L: underwriting, credit risk, collections, advisory workflows, and compliance automation.
- Profit model shifts: more fee-based advisory and ALM mandates as deposits face continued competition from market products.
- Consumer protection: risk controls, explainable AI, and conflict management as digital advice scales.
- Group synergy plays: cross-selling, shared data platforms, and unified client journeys across banking, securities, and insurance.
Practical takeaways for finance leaders
- Rebuild the risk stack for AI and digital assets: model governance, data lineage, stress testing, and scenario design.
- Stand up advisory-led offerings: ALM solutions, liability-aware investment advice, and corporate treasury services.
- Prepare for stablecoin rails: compliance-first pilots for payments, treasury operations, and settlement; map liquidity, reserves, and reconciliation.
- Invest in shared data and tooling: unify data across business lines; standardize MLOps; prioritize real-time monitoring.
- Form partnerships where speed matters: wallets, payment processors, market infra, and merchant ecosystems.
- Upskill teams now: AI literacy for frontline staff, risk, and compliance; hands-on training for data and engineering.
For teams building practical AI capabilities in finance, see a curated set of tools and courses here: AI tools for finance.
For policy context on digital assets and stablecoins, review the FSB's global regulatory framework.
Your membership also unlocks:
