Woori Financial Group is set to make significant strides in combating educational disparities for underprivileged students with the expansion of its 'Woori Learner' program. Chairman Lim Jong-ryong announced on March 5, 2025, the initiative's extension to support second-year high school students, building on its previous work with first-year students.
The 'Woori Learner' program, which selects talented individuals facing environmental challenges to aid their academic growth, will now aid around 100 first-year students from the 2025 entering class through partnerships with Seoul Metropolitan City and the 'Seoul Learn' program. Selected beneficiaries will be dubbed 'Woori Learner Go1: Woori Mirae Seoul Learner,' emphasizing the commitment to nurturing students with academic aspirations and potential.
For second-year students under the 'Woori Learner Go2' initiative, approximately 50 participants will be chosen nationwide based on their academic performance and motivation for improvement.
All selected individuals will have access to various educational programs, including summer learning methods camps and winter intensive learning camps. These camps are particularly focused on developing effective study strategies through educational consulting and specialized lectures.
The winter intensive learning camp will offer personalized lectures and immersive learning environments over approximately one month. During the semester, academic expenses will be covered through check card vouchers from Woori Card, which can only be spent at designated educational establishments like bookstores and stationery stores.
Students wishing to participate must apply by March 21, 2025, via the websites of the 'Woori Financial Mirae Foundation' and the 'Children and Mirae Foundation,' with results from the final selection anticipated on April 7, 2025. Lim stated, "We will strive to provide stable support through to the higher education entrance process for underprivileged students with this expansion of the 'Woori Learner' initiative."
Meanwhile, KB Kookmin Bank has initiated its 'Mobile Electronic Notification Service' as of March 4, 2025. This service aims to streamline how notifications and guides from the Korea Housing Finance Corporation are delivered, now directly through the KB Star Banking platform rather than traditional postal methods.
On February 28, 2025, iM Bank held the inauguration ceremony for its 2025 University Student Public Relations Ambassadors, strengthening its outreach and engagement among students following its recent transition to become a public bank.
iM Bank is also actively engaging the financially vulnerable community by launching the 'iM Warm Finance Safety Net Program' from March 1 until the end of June 2025. This initiative is aimed at providing debt relief and restructuring opportunities for individuals facing financial distress.
Similarly, Shinhan Bank contributed to community welfare by providing school supply sets to elementary school entrants from children's welfare facilities nationwide on February 28, 2025. The initiative supports children's successful transitions to school with necessary supplies.
Woori Bank hosted the fifth term inauguration for its university student public relations team, 'Campus WOORI', on February 27, 2025, encouraging young students to help promote the bank's initiatives and services.
Hanhwa Life Insurance also unveiled its 'Artificial Intelligence Contact Center (AICC)' on March 4, 2025, which utilizes advanced AI technology to improve customer service operations significantly and bolster client interactions.
Hana Bank introduced the 'Hana The Small Merchant Store Savings' product, which offers competitive interest rates for individual business owners seeking stable funding.
KB Kookmin Bank and KB Kookmin Card formalized their commitment to enhancing local commercial districts by signing data utilization agreements with the Songpa District Office, aimed at facilitating growth for local small businesses.
On March 2, 2025, KB Kookmin Card held its 'Wish Dream' employee walking donation campaign to support vulnerable children, illustrating the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Shinhan Financial Group announced it is now recruiting participants for its 11th class of the 'Shinhan Future's Lab', focusing on supporting startups and developing new collaborations.
NH Nonghyup Bank is running its 'Click is Assets' event until March 31, aiming to engage customers through its NH Members app with incentivized participation.
Lastly, the KB Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation successfully concluded its 14th 'KB Life Overseas Volunteer Group' mission, which provides various aid activities to students and communities abroad, exemplifying the organization's dedication to global philanthropy.
With these varied initiatives, Woori Financial Group and their counterparts are working cohesively to reduce educational divides and support economically disadvantaged individuals, reflecting the growing importance of corporate responsibility and community engagement.