Korea Investment & Securities expands minor accounts, to launch 'children's stock trends' service in October

Korea Investment & Securities said Wednesday it has significantly expanded its family-oriented asset management services in response to a surge in share account openings by minor customers.

Minor accounts made up 8.6 percent of all new share accounts opened this year through Sept. 16 — up sharply from 5.6 percent in 2024 and 5.5 percent in 2025.

Even as retail investor sentiment has cooled amid a recent market correction, the daily average number of new account openings by minor customers has remained at 3.6 times last year's level.

The trend reflects a growing number of parents seeking to build long-term wealth for their children through regular, incremental investment in accounts held in the children's names.

Whether depositing within the gift tax exemption limit or making small monthly contributions, parents can maximize tax-free benefits through such accounts.

Reflecting this market trend, the company added an integrated minor account menu to its mobile trading system app "Korea Investment" in June. The one-stop menu covers everything needed for a child's financial activity — from opening an account in the child's name and checking assets, to a first-investment guide and information on gift tax filing.

The company has also continued running education programs to help young people develop sound financial habits. In August, it held a youth stock and economics class for elementary, middle and high school students.

Starting in October, the company plans to launch a "children's stock trends" service that will let parents and children track at a glance the most popular stocks by age group among minor customers, along with domestic and overseas investment patterns. The aim is to help parents and children share real investment trends and grow their assets together as financial partners.

"Investment habits and financial education encountered at a young age will serve as a cornerstone for building healthy wealth and understanding the financial ecosystem," a company official said. "We will continue to roll out tailored financial services for family customers."

Korea Investment & Securities is also running a series of events for the Chuseok holiday. For Bankis customers, it is holding a Chuseok financial product sign-up event and an after-market event season 2.

The financial product event runs through Sept. 30 and offers benefits of up to 50,000 won ($37) to customers who meet net deposit and net asset growth requirements for individual pension and ISA accounts. A preferential interest rate product of up to 4.8 percent per year is also available through affiliated channels.

In addition, through Oct. 16, the company will give the first 5,000 customers each day who trade during after-hours sessions (5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) a 1,000-won same-day investment credit, along with weekly gift certificate draws based on trading volume.