Korea Credit Data said on Jan. 19 it recorded a monthly operating profit in December. It marked the first time the company has posted a monthly operating profit in 9 years and 8 months since it was founded and 8 years and 8 months since Cash Note was launched.

The company said the shift to profit was the result of quantitative growth and qualitative improvements in its revenue structure. It said the quantitative growth can be seen in the number of small-business sites that have adopted Cash Note. It said the figure already surpassed 2 million in October and that annual transaction data managed through the Cash Note platform total about 677 trillion won.

It said the foundation for the structural improvement is the aggressive adoption of AI technology. Cashni, Cash Note's conversational AI assistant, provides context-appropriate answers after understanding the owner's business information. The company said the AI holds all information about the business site, provides answers that fit the situation and context, and notifies users in advance of needed information even when there is no question.

Kim Dongho, chief executive of Korea Credit Data, said, "Achieving a monthly operating profit proves that services that help small merchants can also generate sufficient profit." He said the company will continue to push ahead with plans including the establishment of a specialised bank for small merchants while accelerating the advancement of Cash Note, and will sustain innovation in the management environment for small merchants.