KB Kookmin Bank held its “2026 new year kickoff ceremony” on Thursday morning at its annex building in Yeouido.

CEO Lee Hwan-ju presented two keywords for 2026: “expansion” and “transformation.” He said KB should solidly “expand” its financial territory to move toward a better future amid a period of major change in finance. He said the bank must also boldly “transform” its thinking and actions in line with customer and social trends.

He stressed this should go beyond simply increasing the number of customers and expanding markets, and become another innovation that changes KB Kookmin Bank’s “strategic direction.”

He set out key priorities for “expansion and transformation”: expanding the direction of bank management by strengthening customer trust and creating social value; an evolutionary transformation of sales methods; and building sources of differentiated capabilities and execution.

Lee introduced the four-character idiom “Junghu Pyosan,” meaning that when the breath of many people comes together, it can move even a mountain. “Even in a rapidly changing financial environment, the driving force that enables KB Kookmin Bank to keep moving forward comes from KB’s united momentum,” he said. “Let us create 2026 together, all together, to firmly solidify KB Kookmin Bank’s standing,” he said.