[DigitalToday reporter Ji-young Lee] Woori Financial Group’s shares broke through 30,650 won on a closing basis on Jan. 27, setting a record high. The stock is up about 99.4 percent since 2025, the highest level among domestic bank holding companies.

Even as volatility in South Korea’s stock market has increased amid an expansion in overseas stock investment by retail investors and a rise in the exchange rate, Woori Financial has recorded foreign net buying throughout last year, the only one among the four major financial holding groups to do so. Demand from individual investors seeking stable dividend income also joined in, drawing strong interest from investors at home and abroad.

In particular, in line with management’s determination to put capital stability first, the common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1) improved by 82 basis points through the third quarter of last year, nearing its mid- to long-term target of 13 percent.

It secured growth momentum in its non-bank business by completing an all-round financial group system through the acquisition of an insurer. It was also the first domestic bank holding company to implement tax-free dividends (capital reduction dividends), and efforts to enhance shareholder value are assessed to have significantly boosted market trust.

Brokerages see synergy between this structural improvement and what they call a bold shareholder return policy. They are also positive about the possibility of a re-rating as profitability expands and about additional investment demand flowing in.

A Woori Financial official said, “This year, along with improved fundamentals, the dividend appeal that individual investors feel will be further maximised as tax-free benefits are applied starting from the 2025 year-end dividend.” The official added, “We expect related investment demand inflows to expand further going forward.”