KB Kookmin Bank said on Thursday it has expanded the scope of non-face-to-face applications for the right to request an interest rate cut to ease financing cost burdens for sole proprietor customers and increase use of the system.

The right to request an interest rate cut is a system that allows loan customers to ask a financial company to lower their interest rate if their credit status has improved. Previously, non-face-to-face applications were available only for credit loans, but the revamp has expanded the scope to guaranteed loans and secured loans.

Sole proprietor customers can now apply for the right and check results through KB Business Star Banking and internet banking without visiting a branch.

KB Kookmin Bank also introduced a service that provides guidance on items with potential for credit improvement to support customers' credit management even when requests are not accepted. It provides 5 categories, including personal information, transaction information with the bank, loan transaction information, card transaction information and delinquency information, to guide directions for improving credit status.

A KB Kookmin Bank official said, "We hope busy small business customers will be able to use financial services more conveniently and enjoy the benefits of lower interest rates." The official added, "We will continue to expand inclusive finance services to protect financial consumers' rights and ease financing cost burdens."