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Hana Financial Group launches joint initiative to support out-of-school youth

Published: 22 Mar. 2026, 16:29 Updated: 22 Mar. 2026, 20:33

LIM JEONG-WON
[email protected]

Representatives from Hana Financial Group and business, education and welfare organizations pose for a photo during a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding at the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Tower in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 20. From second from left are Korea Youth Counselling & Welfare Institute President Han Jeong-won, Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, FKI Chairman Jin Roy Ryu and EBS President and CEO Kim Yu-yeol. [HANA FINANCIAL GROUP]

Hana Financial Group launched a joint initiative with business, education and welfare organizations on Friday to support out-of-school youth in Korea, the company announced on Sunday.

Hana Financial Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), Korea Youth Counseling & Welfare Institute (KYCI) and educational public broadcaster EBS on Friday to promote a social contribution project titled “Youth Bridge.”

The Youth Bridge project is designed to address social isolation among out-of-school youth and support their return to education or entry into the work force.

Out-of-school youth can refer to anyone between the ages of 9 and 24 who has dropped out after more than three months of absence from elementary or middle school, been expelled from high school or is otherwise not enrolled in high school.

The MOU signing ceremony took place at FKI Tower in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Friday. Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo, FKI Chairman Jin Roy Ryu, KYCI President Han Jeong-won and EBS President and CEO Kim Yu-yeol were in attendance.

Under the MOU, Hana Financial Group will use its financial infrastructure to lead hands-on programs that provide out-of-school youth with career opportunities, financial literacy training and education on avoiding illegal gambling.

Hana has already injected 10 billion won ($6.6 million) in collaboration with the Financial Supervisory Service since 2024 to prevent illegal gambling among young people.

The project will also offer cultural programs to support participants’ readaptation to society, according to the company.

Hana Bank's logo is seen outside its headquarters in Jung District, central Seoul, on Feb. 2, 2020. [NEWS1]

The financial education component will focus on practical topics, including setting financial goals, managing credit and avoiding financial scams. Additionally, participants will have opportunities to visit key facilities, such as Hana Bank’s trading room and currency-related centers, to gain exposure to real-world financial operations.

The FKI will oversee program planning and management, while the KYCI will identify eligible participants through the institute’s nationwide network of support centers. EBS will produce educational content especially for out-of-school youth, including materials for degree equivalency exams, college applications and vocational training.

“Youth Bridge will serve as a catalyst for a fresh start for out-of-school youth who are facing difficulties,” Ham said. “As caring for out-of-school youth is a critical task requiring the collective efforts of our society, Hana Financial Group will unite as one to continue providing unsparing encouragement and full-scale support for the future of our youth.”

BY LIM JEONG-WON [[email protected]]