NH NongHyup Financial Group launched an \'NH Financial Hub\' in North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province, bringing together the capabilities of its banking, insurance, securities and asset management affiliates. The group said the hub aligns with the government\'s \'5 poles and 3 special zones\' balanced growth policy and will provide comprehensive financial services for local future strategic industries and companies. It also plans special contributions to regional guarantee funds and will expand cooperation with the National Pension Service and Jeonbuk National University.

Korea\'s financial MyData service is set to expand beyond individuals to sole proprietors and small merchants, evolving from simple data checks to executing financial tasks. The Financial Services Commission plans to broaden the right to request transmission of credit information and to introduce a \"My AI agent\". Separately, the Bank of Korea has raised its base rate for a second straight month, adding to upward pressure on loan rates and borrowers\' interest burdens.