The KOSPI is surging. It has raced past 5,500, 5,600, 5,700 and 5,800 in quick succession after the Lunar New Year holiday. It is close to breaking through 6,000, but a key variable is renewed U.S. tariff risk.

• KOSPI breaks above 5,900 for the first time, with 6,000 in sight • KOSPI clears 5,800 as well, with 6,000 close • KOSPI tops 5,700 intraday for the first time, extending its strong run • "It rose after Lunar New Year"... Where does the KOSPI go after settling above 5,500? • KOSPI breaks above 5,400 for the first time; Kosdaq also rises • KOSPI settles above 5,300 on a boost from U.S. tech stocks, extending gains

Digital transformation centered on AI has emerged as a key topic across the financial sector. The scope of applications is also expanding quickly, from care services for senior customers to internal control and safety management systems and the construction of next-generation digital platforms. Developments such as expanded stablecoin linkages across global payment networks and the release of joint research results on AI credit evaluation by fintech firms and academia are also continuing, blurring the boundary between finance and technology.

• Hana Bank introduces the financial sector's first "AI check-in service" for seniors • Woori Bank builds the financial sector's first AI-based internal control and safety management system • Hana Bank launches its next-generation digital platform, "Project First" • Visa: "Leading the evolution of stablecoin payments"... Supports linkage with various stablecoins • PFCT discloses joint AI credit evaluation research results with a Seoul National University computer engineering research team

Moves by financial holding firms around productive finance are also becoming more concrete. Execution-focused projects have been launched in succession, including the creation of large-scale infrastructure funds, arranging investments in renewable energy, and supporting small and midsize companies and regional strategic industries. They are strengthening both "growth support" and "inclusion" by presenting roadmaps for deploying funds beyond slogans and running social contribution projects in parallel.

• KB Financial Group to create a 1 trillion won "Kookmin Growth Infrastructure Fund" • KB Financial Group completes arrangement of the "Shinan Ui offshore wind power project" as the first investment of the Kookmin Growth Fund • Shinhan Financial Group to support the "Just Dream" project with 10 billion won over 3 years • Shinhan Financial Group starts productive finance: "20 trillion won execution roadmap confirmed" • Woori Financial Group starts investing 200 billion won in the financial sector's first Kookmin Growth Fund • Hana Bank and Korea Technology Finance Corporation to foster future strategic industries in the Chungcheong region, providing a total of 20 billion won in support

Other major moves in the finance and fintech sectors last week are also summarised.

KB Financial Group unveiled an "AI-based real-time response system" against voice phishing with LG Uplus. KB Financial Chairman Jong-hee Yang (양종희) carried out special on-site inspections, including at IT centers of key affiliates.

• KB Kookmin Bank unveils an "AI-based real-time response system" against voice phishing with LG Uplus • KB Financial Chairman Jong-hee Yang conducts special on-site inspections, including IT centers of key affiliates

Shinhan Financial Group signed an agreement with World Dagachi and decided to expand linked services so that foreign customers can use financial services more easily. • Shinhan Bank signs a business agreement with World Dagachi... Strengthens services for foreign customers

Woori Financial Group sent a team of university student supporters to help cheer for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics. Woori Bank is expanding financial benefits by teaming up with Samsung Card, Samsung Electronics, LG Uplus and Nol Universe, among others.

• "Going to Milan to cheer for the national team"... Woori Financial Group sends university student supporters • Woori Bank launches 5 co-branded personal credit cards with Samsung Card • Woori Bank teams up with Samsung Electronics and LG Uplus to target the next generation • Woori Bank partners with Nol Universe... Offers points and rewards benefits

Hana Financial Group held a proclamation ceremony for a "Financial Consumer Protection Charter" reflecting its commitment to putting financial consumer protection into practice. It is moving to upgrade its management system at the groupwide level to execute consumer protection.

• Hana Financial Group proclaims a "Financial Consumer Protection Charter"... Upgrades consumer-centered management system

Earnings announcements also continued. Meritz Securities failed to enter the annual "1 trillion won club" in operating profit. NH Nonghyup Financial Group posted 2.5112 trillion won in net profit last year, up 2.34 percent from a year earlier, achieving a record high. Comprehensive payment company NHN KCP said on the 12th it posted 1.2349 trillion won in consolidated revenue and 54.7 billion won in operating profit for 2025. That was up 12 percent in revenue and 25 percent in operating profit from a year earlier. Annual transaction volume, a yardstick for payment infrastructure companies' growth in scale, exceeded 51.5 trillion won, ushering in an "annual transaction volume of 50 trillion won" era. • Meritz Securities posts 788.3 billion won in operating profit last year... down 25.3 percent from a year earlier • NH Nonghyup Financial posts record-high net profit last year... up 2.34 percent from a year earlier • NHN KCP achieves 1.2349 trillion won in revenue and 54.7 billion won in operating profit last year

In fintech, Kakao Pay recorded its first annual profit, and CEO Won-geun Shin (신원근) won reappointment, effectively securing a third consecutive term. Naver Pay saw payment failures due to a disruption related to its internal database, causing consumer inconvenience for about 5 hours.

• Kakao Pay CEO Won-geun Shin reappointed... To be confirmed at a general meeting at the end of March • Kakao Pay posts its first "annual profit"... Starts full-scale expansion across "securities, payments and AI" • Naver Pay restores service after 5-hour payment error... Service normalised • Naver Pay hit by errors including payment failures... Points payments unavailable