In a striking sign of changing investment habits among South Korea’s youngest savers, Shinhan Investment Corp. announced on April 29, 2026, that the number of investment accounts opened by minors in the first quarter of the year soared by a remarkable 272% compared to the same period in 2025. This surge, reported by multiple outlets including News1, 연합뉴스, and 직썰, marks a clear shift toward digital, long-term, and diversified investing among the next generation—and their parents are taking notice.
What’s behind this dramatic jump? The data tells a compelling story. More than half—58.4%—of these new minor accounts were opened via non-face-to-face, mobile channels. Gone are the days of children and their parents lining up at bank branches; now, the journey begins with a few taps on a smartphone. According to Shinhan Investment, the average balance per minor account now sits at about 10 million KRW, or roughly $7,200 USD. That’s not just pocket change—it’s a sign that these accounts are being used for more than simple dabbling.
“It’s not just about giving kids a taste of investing,” a Shinhan Investment spokesperson explained to 연합뉴스. “Minor accounts are increasingly being used as tools for mid- to long-term asset management and financial education.” The company is quick to point out that these accounts are a launching pad for learning about markets, risk, and the power of compound growth, rather than just a playground for speculation.
So, what are young investors actually buying? The answer, according to Shinhan’s analysis, is a blend of South Korea’s largest, most stable companies and index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Samsung Electronics common shares topped the list of domestic stocks traded by minors, followed by the TIGER US S&P500 ETF, Samsung Electronics preferred shares, SK Hynix, and the KODEX 200 ETF. The pattern is clear: minors—and, by extension, their families—are favoring blue-chip stocks and broad-market ETFs, steering clear of risky, unproven companies.
When it comes to international investing, the trend toward diversification is even stronger. Minors’ overseas trades were dominated by global giants like Tesla, Apple, and Nvidia, but also by US index ETFs such as Invesco QQQ Trust, SPDR S&P500 ETF, and Vanguard S&P500 ETF. In fact, minors’ preference for ETFs over individual stocks is particularly pronounced in their international portfolios. As 더밸류 noted, this approach not only reduces risk but also serves as a practical introduction to global diversification—a lesson that will likely pay dividends for years to come.
Interestingly, the investment habits of parents diverge from those of their children. While minors lean heavily on ETFs and diversified baskets, parents are more inclined to trade in individual big-tech stocks like Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, and Microsoft. This generational difference, highlighted by 뉴스핌, suggests that younger investors—perhaps guided by parental caution or digital advice—are already embracing the wisdom of diversification and long-term holding.
Breaking down the numbers, Shinhan Investment’s data reveals that about 52% of minors’ investment experience is tied to domestic stocks, 17% to overseas equities, and the remainder to other financial products. Notably, the frequency of trading among minors is relatively low; instead, they tend to hold large-cap stocks and ETFs for extended periods, reinforcing the view that these accounts are being used as educational and wealth-building tools, not for short-term speculation.
Recognizing this shift, Shinhan Investment is rolling out new services to support both minors and their guardians. The firm is developing a “My Child Asset Management” service designed to facilitate joint parent-child participation in investing. In addition, its AI-based asset management platform, “AI PB,” now offers tailored portfolio and market information based on each customer’s investment profile and transaction history. This service, as reported by 주간한국, can be accessed through minor accounts, giving both children and parents data-driven guidance for ETF-centric investing.
“As we move further into 2026, non-face-to-face account openings are increasingly becoming the starting point for children’s financial journeys,” a Shinhan Investment representative told 직썰. “We plan to keep expanding financial education content and global diversified investment services for both minors and their parents.” The company’s vision is clear: to make financial literacy and prudent investing a family affair, accessible from the palm of your hand.
But Shinhan isn’t stopping at brokerage services. Its affiliate, Shinhan Asset Management, recently launched the “Shinhan SOL KOSDAQ150 Index Fund,” which tracks the KOSDAQ150 index—a basket of 150 representative stocks from Korea’s growth sectors, including bio, IT, and secondary batteries. With an annual fee of just 0.09%, significantly lower than the industry average of 0.39%, the fund is designed to make long-term, cost-efficient investing more attractive. According to Shinhan Asset Management, this product aims to help investors, young and old, reduce costs and improve real returns over time.
“Interest in the KOSDAQ market is growing, not just in the KOSPI,” said Kim Kyung-il, head of Shinhan Asset Management’s WM Pension Channel Division, in a statement provided to 더밸류. “Index investing, with its strong performance and relatively low cost, can be an efficient tool for long-term investors.” The company now manages more than 1.4 trillion KRW in assets across a range of domestic and international index products, underscoring its commitment to making diversified, passive investing accessible for all.
All of these moves are set against a backdrop of increasing volatility in global markets and a growing appetite for exposure to sectors like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and green energy. Shinhan’s bet is that both parents and children will benefit from learning how to navigate these waters together—armed with digital tools, educational resources, and a shared commitment to long-term growth.
For families looking to give their children a head start in financial literacy and wealth building, the message from Shinhan is clear: the future of investing is digital, diversified, and, perhaps most importantly, a family affair.