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Hana Financial Group launches youth program with FSS

Published: 21 Apr. 2026, 16:30 Updated: 21 Apr. 2026, 17:58

LEE SOO-JUNG
[email protected]

Undergraduate participants of Hana Financial Group's youth initiative program pose for a photograph with key corporate representatives and government officials. [HANA FINANCIAL GROUP]

Hana Financial Group launched a career-empowerment program for university students on Monday to educate them on AI-powered financial data analysis and environmental, social and governance (ESG) finance, the financial holding company said on Tuesday.

The social support program — which runs through July — aims to help participants learn how to protect customers when working in the financial industry, interpret data and apply AI-powered tools to enhance banking services. Beyond training, students will also have the opportunity to collaborate with corporate mentors to develop their banking-related ideas into practical, real-world solutions.

The four-month training program is part of the company’s effort to strengthen the capabilities of young people seeking to find employment in the financial sector.

Dozens of undergraduate contestants, Hana Financial Group CEO Ham Young-joo, Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Senior Deputy Gov. Kim Seong-wook, British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks and industry representatives attended the commencement event at Hana Financial’s corporate office in central Seoul on Monday.

The ceremony took place alongside the final round of selections to determine which candidates would join the training program. A total of 20 teams comprising 71 undergraduate students pitched proposals focused on AI, blockchains and cloud data. Among them, 54 students across 13 teams were admitted as successful candidates.

The program is built on its predecessor, dubbed “ Hana Digital Power On,” and further emphasizes training in ESG, data analysis and AI. The government-affiliated FSS and IT firms, including Google, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, are cosponsors.

“The project not only helps the youth population lead AI [innovations] and transitions into environmentally friendly practices but also carries significance by increasing the youth employment rate,” said FSS Senior Deputy Gov. Kim.

“The future of the finance industry depends on how it can secure and cultivate prospective talents,” Hana Financial Group CEO Ham said. “[The bank] will provide full-scale support to help participating youths become future leaders who enable financial innovations.”

An outstanding participant will receive a prize of 30 million won ($20,400), and the top three teams will be offered opportunities to visit overseas finance corporations. Every participant will receive a preferential benefit in the recruitment process at Hana Financial.

Hana Financial Group has produced 117 alumni through a public-private initiative with the FSS to nurture young talent in the financial sector since 2022. Of them, 12 have secured jobs within the group.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [[email protected]]