K Bank is pushing ahead with a corporate social responsibility programme to support small business owners and vulnerable groups.

K Bank said on Feb. 26 it delivered a donation of 66 million won to the Small Merchants Hope Foundation to promote the “Small Merchants Hope Bridge Project,” which identifies outstanding products from small merchants and provides support to vulnerable groups.

The “Small Merchants Hope Bridge Project” is an initiative K Bank is pursuing together with the Small Merchants Hope Foundation and the Impact Business Foundation. It operates by linking expansion of sales channels for small merchants with providing goods to vulnerable groups.

The project is structured to select products from small merchants and support them in line with demand from organisations that assist vulnerable groups. The Small Merchants Hope Foundation plans to select products through an online open call targeting small merchants nationwide. It will then buy and deliver the products after support organisations such as comprehensive social welfare centres choose the goods they need.

K Bank plans to support about 20 small businesses and more than 10 organisations serving vulnerable groups through the project.

A K Bank official said the project is a virtuous-cycle model of mutual growth that opens sales channels for small merchants facing difficulties while delivering essential goods to vulnerable groups. The official said K Bank will continue to pursue practical and sustainable inclusive finance so small merchants and marginalised neighbours can grow together.