IBK Industrial Bank of Korea opens children's finance experience center at Kidzania

Industrial Bank of Korea has created a hands-on career experience space where children can learn about financial work and basic economic concepts.

The bank opened a children's finance career experience center called the "Digital Finance Center" at Kidzania Seoul on Friday. The opening ceremony was attended by Industrial Bank of Korea President Jang Min-young and Kidzania Korea CEO Ahn Jun-sik, among others. A similar experience center will open at Kidzania Busan on Sept. 21.

The Digital Finance Center is designed to let children take on the role of a "financial dealer," allowing them to experience financial work and learn basic economic concepts.

The experience space is divided into three zones. In the "career experience zone," visitors become financial dealers and learn the concept of diversified investment, while the "customer experience zone" lets them go through the process of opening a bank account and issuing a card. The "parent experience zone" analyzes a child's financial tendencies and provides a customized financial report. The center is designed so that parents can take part alongside their children.

The bank plans to work with public interest foundations to provide free Kidzania admission tickets to children from vulnerable and underprivileged families.

"I hope this Digital Finance Center gives children an easy and fun way to understand the role of finance and digital banking," Jang said. "As a policy bank, we will continue to do our best to help the future generation build sound financial habits."

Meanwhile, the bank continues to run support programs for children and families raising them. It covers up to 1.5 million won ($1,120) of the personal share of child care service costs for employees of small and medium-sized enterprises and families of small business owners, and it also runs social contribution projects for children and families, including scholarships, medical treatment support and the establishment of workplace daycare centers.