Expanding SME Financial Support
As a policy financial institution, IBK supports the growth and stability of Korea's SMEs and microbusinesses. As of the end of 2025, SME loan balances exceeded KRW 260 trillion, with a market share of 24.41%, maintaining the top position among domestic banks. This performance underscores IBK's strong standing in the SME finance market.
Despite a challenging business environment marked by economic slowdown and heightened external uncertainties, IBK continued to provide funding to SMEs, fulfilling its central role in SME finance. Beyond quantitative growth, the bank maintained a stable funding supply system to ensure that SME finance remains resilient even during periods of crisis, reinforcing its role as a financial safety net. Through these efforts, IBK continues to serve as the cornerstone of SME finance while fulfilling its mandate as a policy financial institution.
Growth-Oriented Finance
IBK provides tailored financial support across the corporate lifecycle, addressing funding needs from early-stage startups to mid-sized companies. As of 2025, technology finance balances exceeded KRW 130 trillion, maintaining a market share of over 40%. By supplying funds for R&D and capital investment based on technological competitiveness and business viability, IBK enhances access to financing for technology-driven companies. This enables innovative firms to secure the funding necessary for sustainable growth throughout their development stages.
Finance for Shared Growth
IBK promotes finance for shared growth primarily through the Win-Win Growth Vendor Loan program, which provides low-interest financing to partner SMEs using funds contributed by participating large enterprises, mid-sized companies, and public institutions. As of 2025, cumulative support through this program reached KRW 27.8 trillion. The bank continues to respond to evolving funding needs arising from external changes, improving SMEs' access to financing. In addition, IBK provides policy-linked financial programs for microbusinesses and small self-employed operators, ensuring continued financial support despite economic slowdown and delayed recovery of domestic demand. Through these efforts, IBK strengthens inter-company cooperation and fulfills the public role of finance.
Trade Finance
IBK continued to support export and import companies despite growing external uncertainties and slowing global trade. By providing trade finance aligned with export-import activities, the bank supports overseas expansion and entry into new markets. In 2025, foreign exchange transaction volume reached USD 158.1 billion, achieving 106.8% of the annual target, while market share in trade finance rose to 9.98%. Through its foreign exchange services—including trade settlement, remittances, and currency exchange—IBK supports the full spectrum of overseas business operations. The bank also provides FX risk management and FX-linked financial services to help clients respond to exchange rate volatility and changing global financial conditions. In addition, the bank operates a maturity extension program for import letters of credit (L/C). In 2025, a total of 3,621 cases were supported through collateral requirement waivers and maturity extensions, helping to alleviate corporate liquidity burdens amid external shocks such as sharp exchange rate fluctuations. By integrating trade finance with foreign exchange support, IBK addresses both funding and FX needs, supporting SMEs in expanding into global markets and strengthening export competitiveness.
Integrated Financial and Non-Financial Support System
Beyond financing, IBK operates a comprehensive support system that enables SMEs and microbusinesses to respond effectively to changing business environments. Through on-site, client-focused advisory services, the bank provides tailored financial solutions while also policy-linked programs and management consulting. This integrated approach supports not only funding needs but also the foundation for sustainable business growth.
World's Safest Banks 2025 (The Global Top 50)
Ranked 6th in Asia
Recognized by Global Finance in the World's Safest Banks 2025 ranking. IBK placed 6th in Asia, reflecting its strong long-term foreign currency credit ratings and solid financial soundness.
