Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong (Yonhap)

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Shinhan Financial Group has named Chairman and CEO Jin Ok-dong as the sole candidate to lead the group for another term following a nomination committee meeting on Thursday.

Ahead of the nomination hearing, Jin told reporters he intended to restore the founding spirit of Shinhan — the “7B” banking philosophy from its 1982 launch — and emphasized that the next three years would focus on steady execution and future-oriented transformation.

The “7B” principles — which call for a bank for the nation, the public, mutual aid, trustworthiness, convenience, global orientation, and youth — were repeatedly cited by Jin as the moral foundation guiding Shinhan’s operations. He stressed that amid sweeping digital and AI-driven changes in finance, customer-centric innovation should remain the priority.

During the interview, he highlighted plans to accelerate Shinhan’s digital transition under its “AX/DX” (AI & Digital Transformation) strategy. “A CEO’s duty is to anticipate future disruption,” Jin said. He mentioned that over the next three years, the group will pay close attention to emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and explore stablecoin infrastructure as part of its long-term roadmap.

Kwak Soo-geun, head of the nomination committee and an emeritus professor at Seoul National University, said Jin stood out for his forward-looking vision to navigate the rapid changes brought by artificial intelligence and digital transformation while strengthening Shinhan’s corporate culture across the group.

Jin also said that one of Shinhan’s main priorities for next year will be enhancing its capital-markets capabilities. With recent government initiatives aimed at revitalizing Korea’s capital markets, Jin said the group must prepare to support effective implementation by strengthening its own capital-market operations.

However, Jin’s second term will not be without challenges. Shinhan aims to raise the contribution of non-bank affiliates from the current 30 percent to 50 percent, a goal that hinges on reviving performance at its non-bank subsidiaries — notably the credit-card business, which lost its top ranking last year. The group also plans to supply 110 trillion won in productive and inclusive financing by 2030 while maintaining profitability and financial soundness.