Investment Bank
IBK provides tailored financial solutions to support the activation of the SME M&A market and continuous growth. To this end, IBK has operated the SME M&A Financial Support Package (investments and loans) to support companies with high growth potential in facilitating their M&A activities.
In 2024, the bank executed financial support totaling KRW 400 billion, achieving a market creation effect of KRW 1.8250 trillion. The package consists of KRW 250 billion in investments and KRW 150 billion in loans, focusing on promoting business restructuring and growth strategies. In the investment sector, the bank supported corporate growth and business restructuring through the IBK Win-Win Leap Fund and the SME Growth M&A Fund, while, in the loan sector, it operated a special loan program for SME acquisition financing to provide the necessary liquidity for companies pursuing M&A. Based on this, the bank plans to create a market formation effect totaling KRW 4.9 trillion over three years from 2023 to 2025.
To fulfill its role as a policy bank, IBK has led the expansion of the SME M&A market by providing a combination of investment and loan supports. The bank will continue to provide financial support to ensure that SMEs can achieve stable growth and competitiveness.
Project Finance
IBK has actively provided industrial facility project financing (PF) to support SMEs in securing their own business premises and revitalize the local economy. In 2024, the bank provided a total of KRW 630 billion in PF for major industrial facilities, such as industrial complexes and data centers, fulfilling the role of policy finance to support corporate growth and job creation.
Additionally, the bank has established a Real Estate PF Normalization Fund to stabilize the real estate PF market, and promoted the restructuring of projects with insolvency concerns and the provision of new funding. To this end, a KRW 400 billion NPL (Non-Performing Loan) fund has been established in collaboration with UAMCO, with IBK and its subsidiaries contributing KRW 190 billion. The fund is operated through various methods such as bond acquisition, new capital injection, and equity investment, aiming for a company’s soft landing in the real estate PF market.
IBK will expand support for industrial facilities and real estate PF, continuously strengthening its role as a policy bank contributing to the stable growth of SMEs and the stabilization of the financial market.
Infrastructure Finance
IBK has realized sustainable finance through the expansion of ESG Finance, the creation of the RE100 market, renewable energy development, and global infrastructure investment, while further strengthening its role as a policy bank to expand green industries and infrastructure.
Expansion of ESG Investment for a Sustainable Future
IBK has actively expanded ESG assets and strengthened support for green finance in line with the government's 2050 Carbon Neutrality goal. It has been fulfilling the role of realizing sustainable finance as a policy bank by supplying ESG assets in amount of KRW 532.2 billion in 2024, a 216% increase from the previous year (KRW 246.1 billion).
In particular, the bank has expanded investments in renewable energy projects actively promoted by the government, and diversified its existing ESG portfolio, which was primarily focused on solar and wind power. The bank continues to act proactively to secure a leading position in the renewable energy market.
Leading the Establishment of the Domestic RE100 Market
In 2023, IBK established the first RE100 fund in the domestic financial sector, supporting companies striving to achieve RE100 in line with the renewable energy expansion policy. In 2024, the bank established a fund of KRW 640 billion and invested KRW 360 billion in RE100-related projects, contributing to market expansion through collaboration with large enterprises and partner companies.
Financial Support for the First Onshore Wind Repowering Project in Korea
IBK arranged financing for Korea's first repowering project at Gangwon Wind Power, the largest onshore wind power plant in Korea, located in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon-do, and invested KRW 170 billion out of the total project cost of KRW 270 billion. The project involves dismantling the existing outdated generators (15 units, 30 MW) and installing new high-efficiency generators (21 units, 90.3 MW). Furthermore, IBK signed an RE100 contract with SK E&S to ensure the price of electricity produced at the power plant remains fixed for 20 years.
Additional Establishment of Renewable Energy Development Fund
Since 2023, IBK has proactively participated in renewable energy projects from their early stages through the Green Value Growth Fund to secure financial arrangement rights, aiming to lead the green finance market. In 2024, the bank additionally established the Green Value Growth Fund No. 3 to No. 5 and invested a total of KRW 30 billion to further expand renewable energy projects.
Strengthening the Role as a Policy Bank through Increased Social Investment
IBK has invested KRW 414 billion in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to support infrastructure expansion and public infrastructure projects. Securing stable investment assets based on government payments, the bank has enhanced public convenience through public facility construction and community improvement projects and contributed to the support of small and medium-sized construction companies.
Expansion of Global Infrastructure Investment
In collaboration with its overseas branches in New York, London, and elsewhere, IBK has pursued investments in long-term, stable global infrastructure assets with full force, strengthening its competitiveness in the global financial market.
Institutional Clients
IBK has strengthened financial support for public institutions and Research and Development (R&D) centers to further solidify the growth foundation of domestic innovative companies and research institutions.
Expansion of Financial Support for Public Institutions
IBK has expanded the Companion Support Agreement Loan for local governments and public institutions nationwide, securing 19 new agreements and an additional loan limit of KRW 1.6 trillion throughout 2024. Through this, the bank has supported win-win partnership projects, provided customized financial products for each local government, and strengthened the substance of business. Accordingly, the cumulative limit of the Companion Support Agreement Loan expanded to a total of KRW 2.2 trillion; as of the end of October 2024, the limit exhaustion rate improved to 24.3%.
Strengthening the Role as a Dedicated R&D Bank
IBK was selected as the new Dedicated R&D Bank by the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2024, which further expanded the bank’s presence in the governmental R&D financial market. Based on this, IBK managed KRW 6.9 trillion (31%) of the total KRW 22.4 trillion government R&D budget in 2024, achieving the number one market share.
With the selection as a dedicated bank, IBK has become responsible for managing R&D funds from a total of 13 ministries, including the Ministry of Science and ICT (KRW 2.7 trillion), in addition to the existing Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (KRW 3 trillion), Ministry of SMEs and Startups (KRW 0.8 trillion), Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (KRW 0.4 trillion). Also, based on the collaboration of 6 departments, IBK has provided specialized financial and non-financial services—such as innovation fund investment, loan support, and consulting—and created comprehensive financial solutions for R&D companies.