[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that the Executive Recommendation Committee of Welcome Savings Bank has nominated Park Jong-seong (61), Vice President of Welcome Savings Bank, and Son Dae-hee (43), CEO of Welcome F&D, as candidates for the next CEO. Welcome Savings Bank is currently operated under a single-CEO system led by Kim Dae-woong (61). If both nominees are appointed, the bank will transition to a dual-CEO structure. Son Dae-hee is the eldest son of Welcome Financial Group Chairman Son Jong-joo (71). His appointment as CEO of Welcome Savings Bank is seen as the beginning of the second-generation management era.
Son Dae-hee joined Welcome Savings Bank in 2015 after starting his career at Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) in 2008. Since then, he has worked at Welcome Capital and Welcome F&D, and currently serves as the CEO of both Welcome F&D and Welcome Crediline. Having steadily built his management experience within Welcome Financial Group, he has long been considered a future successor to Chairman Son Jong-joo.
Regarding the nomination, the committee stated, "As CEO of Welcome F&D, he has demonstrated sufficient qualifications and leadership by driving innovation for sustainable growth across the board and maximizing organizational capabilities."
Welcome Crediline, led by Son Dae-hee, owns a 100% stake in Welcome Savings Bank. As of the end of 2024, the major shareholders of Welcome Crediline include Welcome F&D (18.43%), DS Holdings (18.10%), and Chairman Son Jong-joo (16.23%). Chairman Son is the largest shareholder of Welcome F&D, while Son Dae-hee is the largest shareholder of DS Holdings. Although the governance structure is complex, Son Dae-hee has already inherited a significant portion of the shares.
Welcome Savings Bank is a core subsidiary of Welcome Financial Group. As of the end of September last year, its total assets stood at 6.1405 trillion won, ranking fourth in the industry after SBI Savings Bank, OK Savings Bank, and Korea Investment Savings Bank. The bank's performance is on an upward trend, posting a net profit of 37.4 billion won in 2024 and 52.3 billion won in the first three quarters of 2025. Consequently, the nomination of Son Dae-hee is widely interpreted as the full-scale launch of second-generation management.
Park Jong-seong, who was nominated alongside Son, is a former IBK Capital executive who joined Welcome Savings Bank in 2024. The committee noted, "As the head of the Investment Banking Division, he possesses extensive financial experience and knowledge, shares the company's vision, and has the leadership necessary to ensure the company's public interest and sound management."
If both candidates are appointed, the bank will move to a dual-CEO system. Some analysts suggest this shift is designed to support Son Dae-hee, who has relatively less experience.
Welcome Savings Bank stated that nothing has been finalized yet regarding the appointments. A company official remarked, "The final decision will be made by the Board of Directors and the General Shareholders' Meeting," and added regarding Son's nomination, "It should be viewed as a move toward responsible management."