KB Securities to hold 'Motu's Marvel' mock investment contest for youth with W38m purse

KB Securities announced Monday it will hold a mock investment contest for young investors called "Motu's Marvel," organized jointly with the National Pension Service and North Jeolla Province.

The contest is a key initiative under a memorandum of understanding signed in February by KB Financial Group, the National Pension Service and North Jeolla Province to build a financial ecosystem and revitalize the regional economy. Designed to cultivate financial talent — one of the MOU's core goals — the program aims to improve financial literacy among young people, support asset building and promote a sound investment culture.

The name "Motu's Marvel" is derived from KB Securities' mobile trading system (MTS), "KB M-able." The contest carries a total purse of 38 million won ($25,500).

Registration opens Monday and runs through Aug. 17. The contest itself runs over three weeks, from Aug. 3 to Aug. 21. Eligible participants are individuals aged 19 or older, born on or after Jan. 1, 1987, residing in South Korea and holding a KB Securities non-face-to-face or bank-linked brokerage account. Registration is required for both the contest and accompanying events.

Prize money will be awarded based on return rankings: 20 million won for first place, 10 million won for second, 5 million won for third, 1 million won for fourth and 500,000 won for fifth. Contestants finishing sixth through 10th will each receive 300,000 won. The top three finishers will also receive internship opportunities along with trophies and certificates.

Additional events are planned for participants. A "Beat the Kospi" event will select 1,000 entrants by lottery from among those whose cumulative returns during the contest period outperform the Kospi, each receiving a 10,000-won domestic stock coupon. The first 12,000 customers to complete their contest registration will also receive 5,000 won in Naver Pay benefits.

Son Hee-jae, head of KB Securities' digital business group, said he hopes the contest "will help improve financial literacy among young people, spread a healthy investment culture and nurture future financial talent." He added that the company will "continue to enhance a wide range of services and content centered on the customer's investment experience."

KB Financial Group opened the "Jeonju KB Financial Town" on June 8, launching an effort to build an asset management-focused financial ecosystem centered on the National Pension Service. KB Securities' Jeonju CIB Center and KB Asset Management's Jeonju office support asset management operations linked to the national pension.