BNK Financial sets up Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang research, digital asset units in second-half restructuring

BNK Financial Group said Wednesday it is establishing dedicated units for economic research covering the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang region and for digital assets, as part of a push to strengthen its regional and future finance capabilities. The group plans to expand its regional industry analysis function significantly while building out its AI and digital asset response framework to sharpen execution of its second-half business strategy.

BNK Financial carried out the reorganization across its holding company and major subsidiaries for the second half of the year. The restructuring focuses on three priorities: strengthening response to the regional economy, localizing its ESG strategy and building a framework to address future finance trends. The group underscored its intent to develop Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang-specific strategies and expand productive financial support for the region's key industries.

At the holding company level, BNK will create a Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang Economic Research Team under its BNK Management Research Institute to strengthen analysis of regional industries and economic trends. A Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang ESG Strategy Team will also be established to advance ESG initiatives tied to regional issues and expand community cooperation projects.

The group also reorganized its future finance units. It will set up an AX Promotion Division to oversee its AI transformation strategy, and a Digital Asset Promotion Division to respond to changes in the financial environment, including payment settlement and digital assets. The move is a preemptive effort to lay the groundwork for digital asset business ahead of the full legislative push for a basic digital asset law expected in the second half of this year.

Busan Bank and Kyongnam Bank will each establish an Industrial Finance Strategy Team to pursue industrial finance strategies aligned with the policy direction of the ninth round of local elections. The banks plan to build a regional value-chain-based financial support framework centered on strategic industries in their respective areas, including small modular reactors, defense, space and aerospace, and eco-friendly shipbuilding.

Busan Bank will also create a Marine Finance Promotion Division to expand ship finance and marine infrastructure financing, and will transfer its technology assessment function to its Innovation Growth Finance Division to bolster investment support for venture companies and startups.

Kyongnam Bank will establish a Business Succession Support Team to address the generational transition needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. The team will provide one-stop services combining succession consulting and financial support to help regional companies navigate ownership transitions smoothly.

"This reorganization is designed to translate our second-half business strategy into an execution-focused organizational structure and strengthen the core competitiveness of a regional financial group," a BNK Financial Group official said. "We will advance our Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang-centered research capabilities and our ESG, AI transformation and digital asset response frameworks, and expand productive finance for regional strategic industries to realize a future of finance that grows together with the region."