Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo / Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Hana Financial Group earned the highest AAA rating in the 2024 environmental, social and governance (ESG) evaluation, appraised by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), a global ESG benchmark provider, the group said Monday.

The feat followed the group's A rating in the MSCI evaluation in 2021 when it disclosed its mid- to long-term ESG strategy. The Jan. 28 top rating was an upgrade of two tiers.

Hana had the highest score of 7.6 points, topping the list of leading financial services providers here at home and abroad.

Among them were Woori Financial, Shinhan Financial, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, ANZ Group Holdings, HSBC Holdings, Credit Agricole, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, DBS Group Holdings, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan Chase, Citi Group and Bank of America Corp.

MSCI has assessed about 8,500 listed firms globally since 1999 on 10 ESG topics and 35 subissues.

Hana Financial was recognized for its strong corporate governance, as illustrated by the independence and transparency of its board, as well as its anti-corruption and ethical management practices.

Also highly evaluated were efforts toward improved financial education for children, non-Korean students and older adults as well as inclusive finance for small businesses, self-employed and financially vulnerable income groups.

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo said the group's consistent ESG activities to create values have come to fruition, as validated by the MSCI decision.

"We will strive to implement measures to advance finance as a source of happiness and mutual growth with a variety of stakeholders."