Strengthening the Role of Financial Safety Net for SMEs
IBK has actively expanded financial support to SMEs even amidst challenging financial conditions such as rising interest rates, economic slowdown, and real estate market instability, while fulfilling its role in responding to economic crises and compensating for the limitations of private financial institutions' capital supply.
In 2024, IBK’s performance of SME loan supply reached KRW 75.0 trillion, exceeding the supply target (KRW 60 trillion) by KRW 15.0 trillion, and achieving an increase of KRW 9.9 trillion compared to the same period last year (KRW 65.1 trillion). Notably, it has exceeded targets in various sectors, including local SMEs (KRW 21 trillion), innovation growth companies (KRW 15 trillion), materials, parts, and equipment companies (KRW 22 trillion), and startups (KRW 20 trillion), continuously expanding financial support for SMEs. Going forward, IBK plans to actively support the sustainable growth of SMEs through customized financial support, expansion of policy finance, and strengthening of industry-specific financial solutions, while further enhancing their capacity to respond to economic crises.
Expansion of Policy Finance and Fiscal Fund Support
IBK operates various policy funds and fiscal funds to support the sustainable growth and financial stability of SMEs. Through customized policy finance programs such as on-lending funds, the SME establishment and promotion fund, and the industrial accident prevention facility fund, it supports the financing of SMEs and provides financial solutions to enhance industrial competitiveness.
In 2024, its outstanding balance of fund and fiscal fund loans recorded KRW 20.1 trillion, with KRW 6.2 trillion (31.0%) in on-lending funds, KRW 4.7 trillion (23.4%) in the establishment and promotion fund, and KRW 3.8 trillion (18.9%) in the overseas on-lending fund. It has actively supported the growth of SMEs and their entry into global markets. Additionally, it operated KRW 1.5 trillion (7.7%) in the regional restructuring fund, KRW 0.9 trillion (4.4%) in the industrial accident prevention facility fund, and KRW 0.9 trillion (4.3%) in the energy use rationalization fund, contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy and the enhancement of industrial safety.
IBK remains committed to continuously expanding financial support for the sustainable growth of SMEs by providing tailored financial support, strengthening its role in policy finance, and expanding support for new industries and innovative growth. Through this expansion of policy finance, IBK will continue to alleviate the funding burden on SMEs and strengthen financial support for future growth industries.
Customized Corporate Finance Support and Expansion of Industry-specific Capital Supply
IBK has promoted customized financial support reflecting the management conditions and industry characteristics of each company, and operated various financial programs to strengthen the value chain, improve industrial structure, and support new growth industries in line with the growth stages and capital needs of SMEs.
In 2024, the total capital supply for policy tasks actively promoted in cooperation with banks and policy financial institutions amounted to KRW 75.9 trillion, of which IBK provided KRW 13.0 trillion. IBK has strengthened financial support for advanced industries, innovative growth, mid-sized company scale-up, supply chain stabilization, and expansion of financial support for export companies, while continuously expanding customized financial support to alleviate high interest rate burdens and resolve liquidity crises.
As of the end of 2024, IBK exceeded the support limit for value chain enhancement and industrial structure improvement (KRW 6.1 trillion) by supplying KRW 12.3 trillion, continuously expanding customized financial support for SMEs. Additionally, financial support to alleviate high interest rate burdens and resolve management difficulties was expanded to KRW 10.4 trillion compared to the KRW 6.9 trillion limit. Likewise, IBK has actively promoted the resolution of liquidity crises and recovery support for SMEs. IBK will continuously support sustainable growth by expanding customized financial support for SMEs, fostering new growth industries, and strengthening policy finance, providing proactive financial solutions to ensure SMEs can grow in a stable financial environment.
