Finda to become 1st fintech firm to acquire savings bank

The Korea Times - Oct 19, 2026

Finda, a loan comparison platform, is set to acquire a savings bank, in what would be a first for a Korean fintech company as it looks to build an artificial intelligence (AI)-native bank, industry officials said Monday. The Financial Services Commission's subcommittee approved Finda's application to acquire Daewon Savings Bank on Friday. The regulator is set to make a final decision at its regular meeting Wednesday. Finda signed a deal in June to acquire all of Daewon Savings Bank's shares for about 12 billion won ($9 million). The acquisition would allow the company to move beyond matching borrowers with lenders and offer financial services directly, including loans and deposits. Once the deal receives final approval, Finda plans to appoint a new CEO through board and shareholder meetings. The fintech firm aims to turn the lender into an AI-native bank, relying on digital services rather than a traditional network of branches. It plans to draw on AI technology and loan-comparison data it has collected since 2019 to expand its online lending business nationwide, the firm said. The compan

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President Lee's approval rating rebounds after 2-week decline: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rebounded to 37.3 percent after two consecutive weeks of decline, a survey showed Monday. In the poll conducted on 2,520 adults nationwide from last Monday to Friday by Realmeter, positive assessments of Lee's job performance rose 2.1 percentage points from the previous week. Negative assessments fell 1 percentage point to 60.4 percent. As reasons for the rebound, Realmeter cited policies aimed at improving people's livelihoods in areas such as housing and jobs, as well as the government's measures to tackle violent crimes following a stabbing spree in Incheon, west of Seoul. The pollster added that a sharp stock market decline later in the week appeared to have weighed on Lee's approval rating. In a separate survey of 1,005 adults conducted between Thursday and Friday, support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea rose 0.7 percentage point to 36.2 percent, while that of the main opposition People Power Party fell 0.4 percentage point to 40.9 percent. The survey on the president had a margin of error of 2 percentage points at a 95 percent confid

President Lee's approval rating rebounds after 2-week decline: poll

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Chungnam National University offers hands-on agricultural programs

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1 KATUSA killed, 3 USFK soldiers injured in rollover crash in Daegu

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Yongsan to deploy 2,550 personnel in Itaewon to prevent repeat of Halloween tragedy

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Inaugural SCIA chief reaffirms pledge to end 'politicization' of investigations

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APR expands US retail presence as Medicube hits Costco shelves

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A Twosome Place makes US debut in Virginia, drawing all-day crowds

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[COVER STORY] Labor rigidity hinders Korean shipbuilders' ability to take more orders

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HD Hyundai demonstrates autonomous USV technology in US

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LG CNS earns global recognition for AI-powered workplace services

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Auto exports fall 5.5% in Sept. amid Mideast tensions

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