Starting in the second half of next year, small business owners will be able to obtain low-interest policy loans through internet-only banks such as KakaoBank, Kbank, and Toss Bank. Regional Credit Guarantee Foundation conversion guarantees and guarantee term extensions will also be available at internet banks.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups said it held the 2025 Committee on Financial Support for SMEs at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering these measures among the Small Enterprise and Market Service, internet-only banks, and the Korea Federation of Credit Guarantee Foundations.
On the same day, the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME) also signed an MOU with KB Kookmin Bank and NH NongHyup Bank, planning to identify and nurture outstanding companies and to strengthen the growth base of SMEs and startups by organically linking finance, exports, education, and workforce support.
In the subsequent meeting, private financial institutions and policy finance institutions discussed support plans for the second half of 2025. Commercial banks decided to promote: ▲ support for export companies ▲ stronger ESG finance ▲ digital transformation ▲ support for agriculture and regional economies ▲ expansion of innovative venture finance.
Hana Bank will fully launch the newly created Emergency Liquidity Rapid Support Program for companies concerned about damage from U.S. tariff measures and will expand win-win finance between large corporations and SMEs, such as export supply chain finance.
Woori Bank will support growth-potential industry companies located outside the Seoul metropolitan area. On the 26th, it launched the 14 trillion won Woori Leading Local Enterprises Loan and, in connection with the Korea Technology Finance Corporation's K-TOP, will identify innovation-driven companies based on technologies such as AI and provide support totaling 1.2 trillion won.
Shinhan Bank will develop a dedicated SME supply chain finance payment platform in the second half of next year to supply low-interest funds backed by accounts receivable and will also provide management support solutions, including ERP and tax services.
The Industrial Bank of Korea will strengthen support for productive sectors. It will supply 400 billion won in preferential funds to AI and the defense industry and has launched products dedicated to venture startups. It will provide 27.5 trillion won to respond to U.S. tariffs and 7.5 trillion won through the Small Business Owner The Dream Package.
Minister Han Seong-suk of the SME Ministry asked for cooperation, saying, "Please pay special attention so that today's MOU among policy finance institutions, internet-only banks, and commercial banks can operate smoothly in the field," and noted, "To ensure that financial support for the innovative growth of SMEs and startups and the recovery of small business owners can be carried out without a hitch on the ground, we will continue close cooperation with private finance going forward."