Hana Financial to spend $70 bil. on AI, exports, inclusive finance

Hana Financial Group plans to spend 100 trillion won ($70 billion) over five years to strengthen artificial intelligence (AI) financing and assist exporters, small businesses and low-income groups, it said Thursday. The initiative is part of the group’s efforts to advance what it has termed a “Korea Premium” era where finance is elevated as a national growth driver beyond profit-seeking. The drive is one of the largest private-led financial projects in Korea, with a focus away from household mortgage financing and toward more productive, inclusive and innovation-driven investments. The group’s bank, brokerage, capital, insurance and venture capital subsidiaries will be mobilized for the unified growth strategy. Woori Financial announced a similar plan on Sept. 29. “This is more than setting a target — this is a statement of future direction,” said Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo. “We are committed to reshaping finance into a vehicle that truly supports people and progress.” Of the total planned expenditure, 84 trillion won will be spent to bolster “productiv