National Credit Union Federation of Korea Launches Industry’s First AI-Based Transformation for Productive Finance in Mutual Finance Sector

Published 10 Dec.2025 16:35(KST)

On December 10, the National Credit Union Federation of Korea (Saemaul Geumgo) announced that it has established the industry’s first “AI Strategy Department” within the mutual finance sector and will begin a full-scale push for a major transformation toward productive finance utilizing artificial intelligence (AI).

Through the launch of the AI Strategy Department, Saemaul Geumgo will systematically pursue three main objectives: AI transformation (AX), strengthening competitiveness in productive finance, and building an AI ecosystem. The Federation explained that this organizational restructuring is a strategic decision to accelerate AI-based innovation in the rapidly changing financial environment and to secure future financial competitiveness.

The AI Strategy Department will serve as the control tower for Saemaul Geumgo’s AI transformation. It will establish a company-wide AI transition framework focused on key initiatives such as building AI infrastructure and platforms, implementing AI-based document text recognition (AI-OCR), establishing an AI development support platform (including coding assistance), and deploying a work-knowledge Q&A chatbot.

In particular, the plan is to leverage AI technology as the core infrastructure for “productive finance” that delivers tangible value to members and local communities. AI will be actively utilized to advance region-specific financial services and to enhance financial accessibility for vulnerable groups, thereby realizing social value.

A representative from the National Credit Union Federation of Korea stated, “We will expand our dedicated AI organization so that Saemaul Geumgo can lead AI transformation in the mutual finance sector, and we will use this as an opportunity to deliver greater value to our customers and local communities.”