[Digital Today reporter Lee Ji-young] KakaoBank said on March 27 it is taking part in the 2026 Small Business Support Expo at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, introducing the Ahnshim Account, a Seoul city financial support product for small business owners.

The 2026 Small Business Support Expo is a comprehensive expo for small business owners hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation through March 27, offering various programmes including financial counselling, management consulting, market development and education.

KakaoBank will operate a booth under the theme, “The best bank for bosses, KakaoBank,” and introduce financial products including the Ahnshim Account, guarantee-backed loans and real estate secured loans.

It set up an on-site “Try applying for an Ahnshim Account” experience zone, allowing visitors to try the application process from agreement to disbursement without visiting a branch. Participants will receive souvenirs through a draw.

KakaoBank is the only bank to participate in all of the Ahnshim Account No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 programmes. Ahnshim Account No. 3 is currently being supplied with a total limit of 200 billion won, and applications and disbursement are available through the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation app and the KakaoBank app.

Seoul supported about 40,000 small business owners with a total of 400 billion won through Ahnshim Account No. 1 and No. 2, and KakaoBank handled about 260 billion won, or 65 percent of the total amount supplied.

A KakaoBank official said the booth was set up to publicise achievements in easing small business owners’ financial burdens and the Ahnshim Account programme. The official said the bank would continue to expand support for sole proprietors based on financial technology.