Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation Achieves S Grade in Both Institution and CEO Evaluations, Only One Among 18 Public Institutions

Record-High 2 Trillion Won in Guarantees Provided
"Standing by Small Business Owners in Times of Hardship"

Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation (Chairman Jungkwon Kim) announced on the 7th that it received an S grade, the highest rating, in both the institution and CEO categories in the 2026 (performance in 2025) public institution management evaluation conducted by Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

The foundation's institution evaluation rose one step from last year's A+ to S grade, while the CEO evaluation maintained the S grade for the second consecutive year. Among the 18 institutions evaluated this year, Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation was the only one to receive an S grade in both categories. This evaluation was conducted to enhance management transparency and establish an accountable management system within Gyeongsangbuk-do’s public institutions. The institution evaluation comprehensively assesses business management areas such as leadership, management systems, and social responsibility, as well as performance areas including business outcomes and customer satisfaction. The CEO evaluation assesses responsible management, contribution to the province's development, and integrity.

Jungkwon Kim, Chairman of Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation

The S grade is the highest level in the rating system, awarded to those scoring 90 points or above and ranking in the top 10%. The foundation was recognized for both its management performance as an institution and for the CEO's responsible management.

Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation stated, "Amid economic stagnation and various crises, we focused most on supporting small business owners facing hardships. Instead of simply increasing the size of guarantee provision, we have broadened the scope of support to cover situations from the very moment funds are needed, to sudden disasters, and even business recovery after closure, tailoring our assistance according to their needs." As a result, through collaboration with local governments and financial institutions, the foundation secured its largest-ever capital contribution of 10.55 billion won and supplied record-high guarantees totaling 2 trillion won since its establishment.

Additionally, when a massive wildfire struck the Gyeongbuk region in March last year, the foundation immediately activated a special task force to support affected areas and introduced the “Gyeongbuk-Style Disaster SME Five-No Special Guarantee,” which reduces burdens for victims by waiving requirements for interest, guarantee fees, visits, collateral, and documentation. Through this, 81.3 billion won in rapid support was provided to affected small business owners.

In anticipation of the 2025 APEC Summit, the foundation also provided 244.8 billion won in support by operating a guarantee product that reduces financing costs for the food and lodging sectors in Gyeongju and Pohang, helping to improve the local commercial environment and ensure successful event preparations.

The foundation has also revamped the customer experience of using its services. By integrating an AI call center with an online consultation reservation system, it made 24-hour consultation reservations possible. Through digital counters and a paperless work system, it promoted digitalization across the entire business process, from guarantee applications and reviews to agreements and document management. Internally, the foundation continued its organizational innovation, such as becoming the first provincial subsidiary to recruit high school graduates and engaging in inter-institutional personnel exchange, and was selected as an “Excellent Institution for Management Innovation” among Gyeongsangbuk-do’s public organizations.

Chairman Jungkwon Kim of Gyeongbuk Credit Guarantee Foundation said, "The reason we could achieve such excellent results in this year’s institution and CEO management evaluation is thanks to all executives and employees who worked together on-site and strove to protect small business owners struggling with everyday economic challenges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.