About Woori
History/Awards
Carrying on the proud legacy of Korea’s first national bank, we are advancing toward a new era of digital and global innovation
History
2025
Era of Digital and
Global Innovation
Through digital platforms, ESG management, and global expansion, we are evolving beyond Korea’s leading bank to become a global financial leader.
2025
- 06.16 Launch of the “WON Biz eMP Service” corporate finance data hub
- 05.29 Opening of financial services via the “E:UM” open API platform
- 04.18 Launch of the “Woori WON Mobile” MVNO service
- 03.03 Implementation of a management system for overseas accounts suspected of voice phishing
- 01.01 Inauguration of Jung Jin-wan as the 56th President & CEO of Woori Bank
2024
- 12.09 Application of generative AI technology to loan consultation services
- 07.12 Introduction of an automatic attachment feature for e-trade remittance supporting documents
- 04.05 Launch of the generative AI - based “AI Banker” service
- 04.02 Launch of voice phishing compensation insurance
- 03.20 Opening of the Global Investment WON Center in Gwanghwamun for foreign direct investment
- 01.27 Renewal of the “WiBee Friends” character lineup
2023
- 11.09 Launch of “Woori WON Global,” a service dedicated to foreign customers
- 10.18 Opening of the Pekanbaru Branch on Sumatra (Woori Saudara Bank)
- 07.21 Establishment of the “Banwol/Siwha Biz Prime Center” as an SME-focused channel
- 06.29 First publication of the “Woori Bank 2022 ESG Report”
- 05.12 Participation in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s “Rising Leaders 300” program
- 04.05 Signing of the first “Janggeum-i” partnership with Gwangjang Market
2022
- 12.19 Opening of the Dongsomun Senior Plus Branch for senior customers
- 09.23 Launch of the “WON Biz Plaza” digital supply chain platform
- 07.06 ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety management
- 05.30 Woori Saudara Bank selected as an excellent bank in Indonesia in 2022
- 05.13 Opening of the Duluth Branch in Georgia (Woori America Bank)
- 04.25 Opening of a joint branch with Hana Bank in Sinbong-dong
- 01.20 Opening of the Shenzhen Qianhai Sub-branch (Woori Bank China)
2021
- 12.13 “AA (Highest)” rating in Sustinvest’s bond-type ESG Value assessment for unlisted bond issuers
- 12.10 Opening of the Hungary Office
- 08.18 Adoption of the Equator Principles
- 07.29 Fitch credit rating upgrade from A- to A
- 07.05 Introduction of the “SOAR” cyber security automated response system
Privatization and
Completion Phase
As an independent financial institution,
Woori Bank completed full privatization by 2020, marking our transformation into a comprehensive financial group.
2020
- 12.03 Named “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker
- 11.17 Launch of the “WON Financial Certificate” digital authentication service
- 07.01 Awarded “Best Open Banking/API Initiative in Asia” by The Asian Banker
- 06.16 S&P credit rating upgrade from A to A+
- 06.01 Introduction of a casual dress code for all employees
- 04.03 Implementation of a big data system combining a big data platform and EDW
- 02.16 Launch of WB Finance following the merger of WB Finance and Woori Finance Cambodia
2019
- 09.10 Woori Card and Woori Finance incorporated as subsidiaries of Woori Financial Group
- 08.19 Introduction of a global-standard AML internal control and KYC system
- 08.16 Launch of the new smart banking app “Woori WON Banking”
- 05.27 Launch of the new smart banking app “Woori WON Banking”
- 02.13 Listing of Woori Financial Group on the Korea Exchange
- 01.11 Establishment of Woori Financial Group
2018
- 10.09 Approval to establish a European subsidiary
- 10.08 Establishment of an Asia regional credit assessment center
- 08.30 Labor - management agreement for early adoption of the 52-hour workweek
- 07.09 Investment in an impact investment fund
- 06.21 Acquisition of VisionFund Cambodia, bringing our global network to 410 locations
- 05.08 Official launch of the “WINI” next-generation IT system
- 01.15 Opening of the Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 Branch
2017
- 10.16 Designation as main bank for the National Pension Service
- 09.08 Launch of a local credit card in Vietnam by Woori Bank Vietnam and Woori Card
- 07.12 Joint labor - management declaration on job creation
- 06.28 Presidential Citation for contributions to fostering social enterprises (Ministry of Employment and Labor)
- 06.08 Launch of overseas remittance service in partnership with Indonesian telecom operators
- 03.28 Launch of “SORi” voice-recognition AI banking
- 02.05 Opening of the Katowice Regional Office in Poland
2016
- 12.27 Overseas network reaches 250 global branches and offices
- 11.13 Announcement of successful privatization of Woori Bank
- 10.31 Approval to establish a local subsidiary in Vietnam
- 05.02 Opening of the Tehran Office in Iran
- 02.03 Overseas expansion of WiBee Bank to Indonesia, Vietnam and Brazil
- 01.19 Launch of nationwide debit card service in Bangladesh
- 01.13 Launch of iris authentication ATM service
2015
- 11.26 Opening of Woori Finance Myanmar, our 200th overseas network branch/office
- 05.15 Opening of the Incheon International Airport Branch
- 04.28 Opening of a financial complex center with non-affiliated partners
- 04.23 Business alliance with Standard Bank of South Africa
- 04.23 Launch of internet-only bancassurance sales
- 03.31 “Seoul City Treasury 100th Anniversary” commemorative ceremony
- 02.26 Official launch of PT Bank Woori Saudara Indonesia 1906 Tbk
2014
- 11.19 Relisting of Woori Bank shares
- 11.01 Merger by absorption of Woori Financial Group
- 08.01 Launch of the “Woori Mobile Account” for passbook-free transactions
- 06.30 Daehan Cheon-il Bank establishment documents designated as Sate-Designed Archives No.11
- 05.21 Recognition as “Best Cash Management Bank in Korea” by The Asian Banker
- 04.24 Issuance of USD 1 billion Basel III - compliant subordinated bonds
- 03.26 Reappointment as Seoul Metropolitan Government treasury bank
Establishing Woori Bank
and the Hoding Company
Structue
Reborn as ‘Woori Bank,’ we established a holding company framework, strengthened corporate and retail banking, and became a trusted financial brand.
2013
- 12.19 Inclusive Finance Award from the Financial Supervisory Service
- 10.18 Launch of the “One-Touch Alert” account notification app
- 10.04 Designation as foreign exchange depository bank for the National Pension Fund
- 06.27 Ranked No.1 for three consecutive years in the Korean Service Quality Index (KS-SQI)
- 05.14 Designation as lead bank for R&D commercialization by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
- 04.01 Spin-off of the credit card business unit
2012
- 11.29 Presidential Citation for anti - money laundering, awarded by the Financial Services Commission
- 11.07 Grand Prize (Overall) at the 1st Financial Consumer Protection Awards
- 10.25 Opening of the Yangon Office in Myanmar
- 09.25 Commencement of operations at Woori Bank Brazil
- 04.25 Recognition as “Best Transaction Bank in Korea” for a second straight year by The Asian Banker
- 04.05 Opening of the Chennai Branch in India
- 03.28 Launch of the “One-Touch Corporate” tablet banking app
2011
- 11.10 Launch of “i-Touch Loan,” an internet-based Jeonse loan
- 08.24 Internet banking customers surpass 10 million
- 08.18 Opening of the Saint Petersburg Branch in Russia
- 04.27 Launch of graphic authentication service for internet banking
- 04.18 Microfinance support MOU with the Ministry of Land and Transport (Woori Smile Microcredit)
2010
- 11.29 ISO 27001 certification obtained for all IT service areas
- 10.30 Operation of a temporary foreign exchange booth for the 18th inter-Korean family reunion
- 05.24 Agreement with China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Woori Bank China)
- 04.28 Deployment of a video conferencing system across all branches
- 04.08 Deployment of a video conferencing system across all branches
- 03.21 Designation as a Renminbi trade settlement bank (Woori Bank China)
- 02.15 Relocation of the data center from Jamsil to Sangam
2009
- 12.17 Launch of the Woori Smile Microcredit Foundation to support inclusive finance
- 12.15 Social Contribution Grand Prize at the Asia Financial Culture Awards
- 08.17 Launch of the “Woori Love Sharing Center” campaign for donations and volunteer work
- 04.01 Selection by the Ministry of Labor as an “Excellent Company for Gender Equality in Employment”
- 03.25 Launch of the “Joint Labor - Management Special Committee for Overcoming the Financial Crisis
- 02.12 Launch of the “Together Woori Love Support Program” social welfare initiative
2008
- 11.17 Recognition as “Best Bank in Korea” for a second straight year by The Banker
- 07.03 Launch of the “mobile student ID” service
- 06.18 Opening of the the localized Shenzhen Futian Sub-branch in China
- 05.20 Financial support agreement for the Korea - Russia Business Center
- 05.13 Establishment of the first Retirement Pension Research Institute
- 01.25 Designation as lead trustee bank for the National Housing Fund
- 01.09 Establishment of Russian subsidiary “Woori Bank Russia”
2007
- 12.03 Recognition as “Best Bank in Korea 2007” by The Banker (UK)
- 11.12 Establishment of Chinese subsidiary “Woori Bank (China) Co., Ltd.”
- 04.02 Launch of VM mobile banking service
- 03.02 Implementation of conversion of non-regular employees to regular positions
- 01.30 Commemorative stone at the former Daehan Cheon-il Bank headquarters
2006
- 12.20 Agreement on converting non-regular employees to regular positions
- 12.04 Opening of the Busan Integrated Financial Center of Woori Investment & Securities
- 12.01 Official launch of Hong Kong Woori Investment Bank
- 08.10 Moody’s credit rating upgrade from Baa1 to A3
- 05.19 Establishment of Korea BTL Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd.
- 01.23 Establishment of a foreign exchange booth at the Inter-Korean Immigration Office
2005
- 11.04 Opening of “Woori Financial Plaza,” the first integrated financial branch
- 10.24 Fitch credit rating upgrade from BBB+ to A-
- 09.28 S&P credit rating upgrade from BBB+ to A-
- 06.09 Business agreement with Korea Export Insurance Corporation to support exports
- 02.25 Introduction of the “Technology Evaluation Certification Program” to support SMEs
- 01.13 Completion of the integrated branch terminal system
2004
- 12.07 Corporate Value Excellence Award at the 2004 Korea Management Awards
- 12.07 Opening of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex Branch
- 09.07 Recognition as “Best Bank in Korea 2004” by The Banker (UK)
- 07.20 Opening of the “Woori Bank Museum,” Korea’s first dedicated banking history museum
- 03.31 Split-off and merger of Woori Credit Card into Woori Bank and Kwangju Bank
2003
- 12.11 Grand Prize in the Service category at the Korea Management Awards
- 12.10 Receipt of the Knowledge Management Award from Maeil Business Newspaper and Booz Allen Hamilton
- 09.29 Selection as main bank for the Korea National Railroad and second treasury bank for Incheon City
- 07.31 Merger by absorption with Woori Comprehensive Finance
- 05.22 Grand Prize in CI and Excellence Award in Knowledge Management at the Korea Corporate Image Awards
2002
- 12.26 Total assets exceeding KRW 100 trillion
- 11.10 Selection as a handling bank for the National Housing Fund
- 08.09 Implementation of BPR (Business Process Re-engineering)
- 05.20 Renaming of the bank to “Woori Bank” and renewal of the corporate identity (CI)
- 01.31 Transfer of Hanvit Bank’s credit card business to Woori Card
2001
- 12.31 Merger by absorption of Peace Bank’s banking division
- 04.02 Launch of Woori Financial Group
- 03.27 Incorporation as a subsidiary of Woori Financial Group
Era of Foundation
and Growth
Founded as Korea’s first national bank, we supported the nation’s industrialization and export finance, later reborn as Hanvit Bank.
1999
- 01.04 Renaming to Hanvit Bank following the merger of Commercial Bank of Korea and Hanil Bank
1980
- 07.02 Introduction of “bank loan” services, the first among Korean commercial banks
1977
- 09.15 Launch of Seoul-Busan online banking, the first among Korean commercial banks
1968
- 11.11 Opening of Tokyo Branch, the first overseas branch among Korean commercial banks
1960
- 01.01 Renaming of Chosen Trust Co., Ltd. to Hanil Bank
1959
- 06.10 Opening of “Ladies' Safe,” a dedicated ladies’ treasury service
1956
- 03.03 First stock listing on the Korea Stock Exchange
1954
- 10.01 Merger of Korea Trust Bank and Korea Sanggong Bank into Korea Heungeop Bank
- 04.24 Renaming of Chosen Trust Bank to Korea Trust Bank
1950
- 04.24 Renaming from Chosen Commercial Bank to Commercial Bank of Korea
1937
- 08.14 Establishment of Chosen Central Mutual Finance Co., Ltd.
1932
- 12.16 Establishment of Chosen Trust Co., Ltd. (later Hanil Bank)
1915
- 03.31 Acquisition of Gyeongseong Treasury (now Seoul Metropolitan Treasury) business
1911
- 02.11 Renaming to Chosen Commercial Bank
1909
- 07.03 Construction of “Gwangtonggwan,” Korea’s first modern bank headquarters
1903
- 02.17 Korea’s first telephone line between the head office and Incheon Branch
1899
- 05.10 Opening of Woori Bank’s first branch, Incheon Branch
- 01.30 Establishment of Daehan Cheon-il Bank (later Commercial Bank of Korea)