Gwangju Bank Joins "Finance That Saves Lives" to Prevent Harm from Illegal Private Lending

Joins Relay Campaign to Draw Attention to Financially Vulnerable Groups

Gwangju Bank has joined a social campaign to protect vulnerable people excluded from formal financial services and prevent harm from illegal private lending.

Gwangju Bank said on October 12 that it had joined the "Finance That Saves Lives" relay campaign organized by the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency.

Gwangju Bank has joined the “Finance that Saves Lives” relay campaign organized by the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency to prevent illegal private lending scams and raise social awareness about protecting financially vulnerable groups. Courtesy of Gwangju Bank.

The public-private project, launched in July, aims to prevent vulnerable people who struggle to access formal financial services because of poor credit or limited transaction histories from being driven to illegal private lenders, and to promote the value of inclusive finance. Participants share a prevention message and then nominate the next person to take part.

Jeong Ilseon, president of Gwangju Bank, took up the challenge after being nominated by Toss Bank CEO Lee Eunmi. Together with the bank's employees, he pledged to protect financial consumers under the slogan, "We will ensure that no one is driven to illegal private lenders again. Finance that saves lives will protect them."

Gwangju Bank is expanding its on-the-ground support to address gaps in access to financial services. In particular, it is participating in the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Support Center for Inclusive Finance, which opened in Gwangsan-gu on September 30. Together with the Korea Inclusive Finance Agency, the Credit Counseling and Recovery Service, and other organizations, the bank provides one-stop consultations and connected financial services covering finance, employment, and welfare.

"The financial sector's attentive concern and involvement are essential to preventing harm from illegal private lending," said Jeong. "As a trusted financial partner that local residents can rely on during difficult times, we will take the lead in putting inclusive finance into practice."

Jeong nominated BC Card CEO Kim Youngwoo, with whom the bank has maintained a long-standing partnership, as the next participant in the relay. Since joining BC Card as a full member in March 2025, Gwangju Bank has continued to collaborate in various areas, including sharing infrastructure and launching co-branded products.

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