[비즈한국] The loan comparison and brokerage platform Finda has become the first domestic fintech company to acquire a savings bank. By partnering with JB Financial Group to acquire Daewon Mutual Savings Bank, Finda plans to implement "AI-native banking," which focuses on providing financial services powered by artificial intelligence. Attention is now focused on whether Finda can overcome regional business regulations and capital expansion burdens to establish a digital-centric savings bank model.
On the 21st, Finda announced that it had received approval from the Financial Services Commission for the change of the largest shareholder to acquire Daewon Mutual Savings Bank. This marks the first successful acquisition of a savings bank by a domestic fintech company. On March 31, Finda signed a contract to acquire a 100% stake in Daewon Savings Bank from its parent company, Dae-A Mutual Savings Bank, for 12 billion KRW.
Founded in 2015, Finda began its business after its online loan comparison and brokerage service was designated as an innovative financial service in 2019. Through this savings bank acquisition, the company plans to develop its own loan products and deposit/withdrawal accounts, focusing its business on mid-to-low credit borrowers.
Not only Finda but also its second-largest shareholder (with a 15% stake), JB Financial Group, participated in this acquisition. Following the takeover, Finda will hold a 60% stake in Daewon Savings Bank, while Jeonbuk Bank will hold 40%. Finda is contributing 7.2 billion KRW, and Jeonbuk Bank is contributing 4.8 billion KRW. Finda explained, "We will increase the savings bank's capital stability and operational efficiency by creating synergy based on Finda's financial data and information technology capabilities, combined with Jeonbuk Bank's experience in financial operations."
Daewon Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank established in 1998 with its headquarters in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and one branch in Pohang. Its designated business area covers Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, and Gangwon Province (the 4th region). As of the second quarter, Daewon Savings Bank had total assets of 3.1 billion KRW and 11 employees; although its operations have effectively been suspended, it attracted attention because the acquisition allows for the securement of a savings bank license.
Finda has drawn up a blueprint to grow Daewon Savings Bank into a savings bank with 1 trillion KRW in assets following the acquisition. The goal is to utilize its technological prowess as a fintech firm to implement "AI-native banking." Unlike traditional savings banks that rely on offline branches, Finda plans to provide savings bank services centered on AI within the Finda app. The bank's name will also be changed. In August, Finda filed for three trademarks with the Korean Intellectual Property Office—"Finda Bank," "Finda AI Bank," and "Finda Savings Bank"—which have been used as tentative names; the new bank name is expected to be one of these.
Regarding AI-native banking, a Finda official explained, "It means a method where an AI agent leads the overall operations of the bank. With the exception of loan underwriting, product planning and credit evaluation are first handled by AI, and then reviewed by humans. We plan to target personal credit loans through the Finda app in a non-face-to-face manner." Small regional savings banks have limitations in expanding personal credit loans, but the company plans to overcome this through AI agents and non-face-to-face operations via the app.
Finda also announced plans to move the headquarters of Daewon Savings Bank from Gyeongju to another location within its business area and establish an entity with fewer than 50 employees. It appears the bank will take a form similar to an internet-only bank, composed of personnel focused on digital channels without offline branches. According to Finda, the staff who will work at the savings bank will be newly hired, though some existing employees from Daewon Savings Bank are expected to join.
JB Financial has also secured a savings bank. Currently, JB Financial has no savings bank among its subsidiaries. Furthermore, as Daewon Savings Bank's business area includes the Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions, JB Financial can now expand its business territory beyond the Jeolla region.
Finda stated, "We are establishing a mutually complementary cooperative system with JB Financial." The explanation is that Finda will take the lead in operations, driving AI-native banking through its technical prowess, while JB Financial will support the venture with its know-how in risk management, loan soundness, internal controls, and regulatory response from Jeonbuk Bank.
Attention is focused on how Finda, a loan brokerage platform, will grow a regional savings bank in the future, especially since Daewon Savings Bank has effectively lacked a business base due to a long period of inactivity. According to the Regulation on the Supervision of Mutual Savings Banks, savings banks must handle a certain percentage or more of their total loans for individuals and small-to-medium enterprises within their designated business area. This is 50% or more of total loans for the metropolitan area and 40% or more for non-metropolitan areas.
However, regulations have been relaxed for small and medium-sized savings banks with assets of 1 trillion KRW or less. When calculating the loan ratio within the business area, 50% of non-face-to-face (outside the business area) personal credit loans can be excluded from total loans.
Finda plans to leverage these regulations and JB Financial's capabilities. A Finda official explained, "We intend to focus on non-face-to-face personal credit loans, which is our strength. We will meet the regional loan quota through loans to local businesses, and we will be able to utilize Jeonbuk Bank's know-how."
Improving financial soundness is also a challenge going forward. Finda's net profit in 2025 was -1.2 billion KRW, and in 2024 it was -4.3 billion KRW, indicating losses in its core business. With cash equivalents at only around 10 billion KRW, questions have been raised regarding its initial plan to secure acquisition funds. Additionally, Daewon Savings Bank itself is in a situation close to capital impairment, with 58.4 billion KRW in capital stock and 97 million KRW in total capital.