Banks in South Korea to open at 9:30 a.m. from April 2027

By Ryu Yuna Posted : September 29, 2026, 09:57 Updated : September 29, 2026, 09:57
Banking hours across major markets based on representative major bank branch hours as of Sept. 29, 2026. Graphics generated by ChatGPT
SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) — South Korean banks are set to open 30 minutes later from April 2027, with branch hours changing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a tentative agreement between the Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korea Financial Industry Employers Association.

The deal, reached after about five months of negotiations, also includes a 3 percent wage increase and measures aimed at improving work-life balance. It comes as the government pushes to reduce working hours and digital banking reshapes how customers use bank services.

AJP Takeaways

- South Korean banks are set to shorten branch operating hours from April 2027, with opening time moving from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. while the 4 p.m. closing time remains unchanged.

- The Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korea Financial Industry Employers Association reached the tentative agreement on September 28, 2026, after about five months of negotiations.
Ryu Yuna

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