[Digital Today reporter Ji-young Lee] Hana Bank will support 3,500 small business sites with store environment improvement costs and artificial intelligence (AI) education and consulting.

Hana Bank said on Wednesday it has begun a second round of recruitment for the "Small Business Competitiveness Enhancement Support Programme" to help stabilise management and strengthen sales competitiveness for small business owners.

Applications will be accepted through Aug. 11. The support is divided into a "Business Site Environment Improvement Support" programme and an "AI Capability Enhancement Education and AI Consulting Support" programme, with a total of 3,500 sites to be selected.

In the environment improvement category, the bank will provide up to 2 million won per site to 2,000 small business locations. Eligible items include design and installation costs for old signs, interior repair and construction costs, and purchases of fixtures and supplies. Applicants can choose either sign improvement or interior environment improvement.

The AI capability enhancement programme will target 1,500 small business sites. Of these, 1,000 will receive practical training in promotion and store management using generative AI tools.

The training will be conducted offline in six regions nationwide: Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Yeongnam, Chungcheong and Honam.

The remaining 500 sites will receive tailored consulting, with middle-aged and older AI consultants visiting business locations in person. Consultants are expected to visit an average of 3 times per site and present an AI management diagnosis report and marketing and management solutions.

A Hana Bank official said the programme is intended to help reduce the burden of renovation costs and help small business owners build the AI capabilities needed for sales. The official said the bank will expand support programmes for small business owners that reflect demand in the field.