Woori Financial Group is actively considering the acquisition of local online brokerage firm Korea Foss Securities, in a move to add a missing puzzle piece a securities arm as a leading banking giant. "We are reviewing all potential companies (for acquisition) to make inroads into the (securities) industry, with the brokerage mentioned among them," the group's Chief Financial Operator Lee Sung-wo.
Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) announced on Thursday that it has established IBK Venture Investment, a venture capital subsidiary, with an initial investment of 100 billion won ($77 million). This marks the first time the government-run bank has launched a venture capital firm.