Woori Financial Commits $59 Billion to AI, Biotech and Inclusive Finance in Five-Year Shift

Woori Financial Group commits 80 trillion won to AI, tech lending, and inclusive finance

Woori Financial Group will deploy 80 trillion won ($59 billion) over five years to expand credit to AI and other high-tech ventures, innovative SMEs, and low-income or low-credit borrowers. The plan sits under the group's Future Co-growth Initiative and marks a pivot away from mortgage-centered lending.

The group framed this as the largest private-sector financial investment of its kind. It also becomes the first private player to commit 10 trillion won to the Lee Jae Myung administration's 150 trillion won National Growth Fund, accounting for 13 percent of the private-sector portion (75 trillion won).

What's funded and where the capital flows

• 73 trillion won for "productive financing" to drive industrial innovation and technology ventures.
• 7 trillion won for "inclusive finance," expanding low-interest products and borrower support.
• 16 trillion won in loans for high-potential tech firms outside Seoul to support balanced regional growth.
• 1 trillion won in venture capital through Woori's investment subsidiary, backing startups from launch to IPO.
• Lower borrowing costs for 550,000 people, including small business owners and low-credit borrowers.
• Dedicated anti-voice phishing and a new consumer protection department under Chairman-level oversight.

Strategic shift in the loan book

Woori targets corporate loan growth of 10 percent, up from 4 percent, signaling a decisive tilt to enterprise credit. The group aims to lift corporate loans to 60 percent of its total portfolio, up from 50 percent.

The focus on AI, bio, and broader high-tech industries reflects demand for longer-dated, productive capital. For finance teams, this signals deeper funding pools for capex, data infrastructure, and commercialization stages.

Capital and risk posture

Woori plans to maintain a 12.5 percent CET1 ratio by year-end. For context on CET1 and Basel III definitions, see the Bank for International Settlements overview here.

The group's stance suggests continued balance-sheet resilience while expanding higher-growth corporate credit. Expect tighter underwriting models and closer monitoring of risk-weighted assets as the loan mix shifts.

AI-enabled credit operations

Woori is using AI across corporate lending workflows: document processing, credit screening, data verification, and post-lending relationship management. Management also flagged a broader AI-driven transformation of internal systems.

Borrowers should anticipate faster decisions, more data-driven terms, and heavier emphasis on verifiable operating metrics. Clean data, audited financials, and transparent unit economics will matter more.

Policy tie-in and national priorities

The 10 trillion won commitment to the National Growth Fund links Woori's plan to state-led growth priorities. The investment mix supports tech ecosystems beyond the capital region and widens access to affordable credit for vulnerable borrowers.

Leadership view

"Our goal and vision outlined today is not only for the group, but for the country's financial system," said Chairman Yim Jong-yong in Seoul. "Woori Financial has played a key role in the modernization of Korea over the past 126 years and will continue to take the lead in building a future-oriented financial system, contributing to the country's economic recovery and long-term growth."

What finance teams can do now

• For CFOs and treasury: Prepare funding cases that quantify productivity gains and commercialization paths for AI and biotech projects. Align data rooms to AI-driven underwriting.
• For startups: Map runway needs to Woori's VC and loan channels; build a clear path from seed to IPO with milestone-based metrics.
• For SMEs and vulnerable borrowers: Review eligibility for lower-rate products; engage local small business support centers as they expand.

For teams building AI capabilities in finance, this curated resource may help: AI tools for finance.