KB Financial Group is launching a $1.5 billion fund to support the growth of advanced strategic industries, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.
On July 24, KB Financial held its fourth Productive Finance Council meeting to review the group's progress in productive finance initiatives. The meeting was attended by Kim Sung-hyun, head of KB Financial's CIB Market Division, along with executives from the holding company and key subsidiaries in investment banking (IB), corporate banking (CB), asset management, strategy, finance, research, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) sectors.
During the meeting, the council decided to establish the 'KB National Growth Unicorn Scale-Up Fund' with a total size of 1.5 trillion won. The fund will be entirely financed by KB Financial's subsidiaries. KB Securities' Private Equity Growth Investment Division will manage the fund, which will primarily target companies in AI, semiconductors, secondary batteries, aerospace, mobility, robotics, and biotechnology.
In line with the government's 'Three Major Mega Projects' and the National Growth Fund policy, KB Financial has also developed financial support measures for investments in semiconductors, power, and infrastructure, as well as for physical AI companies and AI data centers. The group plans to enhance comprehensive financial support by identifying innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in local areas through its CIB Center, a specialized bank-securities collaboration, and by expanding loans, investments, and capital market connections.
Additionally, the council discussed transitioning from traditional corporate evaluations based on financial statements and past performance to a culture of assessing companies based on their technological capabilities and future growth potential.
Kim Sung-hyun stated, "We need to expand our role as a partner that grows alongside advanced strategic industry companies, moving beyond traditional loan-based financial support for conventional industries. We will strengthen our capabilities to understand industries and companies and evaluate their technological strengths and future growth values."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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