Latest news with #HamYoung-joo
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Hana Financial steps up support for AI industry
Hana Financial Group, a major banking group in South Korea, signed a partnership deal with the Korea AI Software Industry Association to help accelerate the growth of local artificial intelligence companies. The agreement was formalized at a ceremony on Friday, attended by Hana Financial CEO Ham Young-joo and KOSA Chair Joh Joon-hee. KOSA is a government-certified non-profit organization that supports Korea's AI and software sectors through industry collaboration, policy advocacy, talent development and global expansion. It represents over 10,000 local member companies. Under the deal, Hana will offer a range of financial and non-financial services through its subsidiaries to promising AI software firms and ESG-leading companies recommended by KOSA. Support includes investments, preferential rates on interest and foreign exchange, as well as capital market services, such as financial structuring, securities brokerage, market listing advisory and consulting on management and business succession. The two sides also plan to cooperate on AI adoption across industries, including joint research projects and development of AI models, co-investment in startups and expertise-nurturing initiatives. Marking the new partnership, Hana CEO Ham said, 'We hope our collaboration with KOSA serves as a breakthrough in advancing Korea's AI industry.' He added, 'We're committed to serving as a trusted partner to AI and software companies — the future leaders of our economy — as they pursue sustainable growth.' KOSA Chair Joh added, 'Hana's robust financial infrastructure and global network, combined with KOSA's industry expertise, will significantly support corporate growth and the implementation of ESG management.'
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Finance CEOs cash in as stocks soar on value drive
Responsible buybacks deliver windfall for executives amid banking rally As Korean financial stocks rally on the back of value enhancement drives, top executives are emerging as key beneficiaries, with CEOs at the four major groups seeing their shareholdings rise by an average of 340 million won ($246,000). As of Monday, shares of Korea's four major banking groups — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — have risen an average 58 percent this year. Shinhan, Hana and Woori each notched all-time highs, closing at 71,800 won, 95,600 won and 26,700 won, respectively. Hana and Woori extended gains on Tuesday, testing fresh records. KB Kookmin, the sector's heavyweight, led last year's banking rally with a 53 percent stock surge. Starting 2025 as one of the Kospi's top 10 by market capitalization, it hit an all-time high of 122,000 won per share on July 8, cementing its position at No. 5 with a market cap of 45.2 trillion won and overtaking Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Aerospace. The rally has bolstered shareholder returns, especially for top executives who championed buybacks in the name of responsible management. Hana Financial Group CEO Ham Young-joo emerged as the biggest gainer. His roughly 15,130 treasury shares have increased in value by more than 600 million won this year to about 1.46 billion won, as Hana's stock surged 68 percent. In percentage terms, Woori Financial Group CEO Yim Jong-yong saw the sharpest gain. The value of his holdings rose by 74 percent, or 153.7 million won, in line with Woori's 73 percent jump — the biggest among the four banking groups. Shinhan Financial Group CEO Jin Ok-dong, who holds the largest number of treasury shares among his peers at about 18,900, saw his stake appreciate by 460 million won to 1.36 billion won, tracking Shinhan's 50 percent rise. KB Financial Group CEO Yang Jong-hee also benefited, with the value of his roughly 5,450 shares climbing from about 452 million won to 646.5 million won — a gain of nearly 200 million won this year. Gains are even more pronounced when measured against executives' purchase prices. Hana CEO Ham's roughly 100,000 shares bought at an average of 41,631 won have more than doubled, rising 130 percent. Woori CEO Yim's 10,000 shares purchased at 11,800 won in September 2023 have surged 127 percent. Shinhan's Jin, who acquired 5,000 shares at 34,350 won in June 2023, has seen them more than double to Monday's close of 71,800 won. KB CEO Yang's 5,000 shares bought at around 77,000 won in March 2024 have climbed 54 percent since purchase. Some lower-ranking executives have shown an even deeper commitment to stewardship through their shareholdings. At Woori, Chief Financial Officer Lee Sung-wook owns 13,000 treasury shares — more than CEO Yim's roughly 10,000. Lee reportedly executed eight separate buybacks from early 2020, when he joined the executive team, through September 2023. Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk, who serves as a registered non-executive director on the group's board, holds 10,700 treasury shares, which have delivered a 77 percent return.
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Hana's Smart squad takes off
Hana Financial Group Chair Ham Young-joo (second from left) joins university students at the group's headquarters in Seoul on Tuesday for the launch of the 19th class of Smart Ambassadors. The 50 newly selected participants will analyze financial products, create promotional content and engage in global volunteer work through August. (Hana Financial Group) hyelimchung@
![[Photo News] Hana honors parents](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F04%2F20%2Fnews-p.v1.20250420.2b99834a8da5452991ab884da00fb7ad_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Photo News] Hana honors parents
Hana Financial Group hosted a special concert for employees and their parents on Saturday at Chungnam National University in Daejeon, in celebration of Korea's upcoming 'Family Month' in May. The event featured a variety of activities, including performances of trot music -- a family-friendly genre of older Korean pop. Surprise video messages from parents and themed photo zones gave employees and their families a chance to create lasting memories. 'Hana Financial Group stands where it is today thanks to the sacrifice, dedication, trust and love of our parents,' said Chairman Ham Young-joo (sixth from left in the photo). (Hana Financial Group)
![[Photo News] Hana empowers inclusive art](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F04%2F17%2Fnews-p.v1.20250417.1689664fd84d472592f4e580dc0f1db7_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
17-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
[Photo News] Hana empowers inclusive art
Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (center) poses with Grand Prize winners of the 'Hana Artverse' contest during the awards ceremony held at Hana Bank's headquarters in Eulji-ro, central Seoul, on Thursday. Now in its fourth year, the annual contest honors artists with developmental disabilities in celebration of South Korea's Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed on April 20. This year's contest drew 877 submissions, with 30 winners selected — 21 adults and nine children. 'At Hana Financial Group, we will walk alongside artists with developmental disabilities as they pursue their dreams in a world free of stereotypes,' Ham said. 'We will continue supporting efforts to enhance disability awareness.' (Hana Financial Group)
