Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo shakes hands with a small eatery owner in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Hana Financial Group

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo paid a visit to a small eatery in Seoul, where the business owner suffered significant damage due to a fire that broke out late last year, the group said Thursday.

It was Ham's first official customer engagement effort after having his term renewed with the overwhelming support of over 80 percent of shareholders on Tuesday. It shows the chairman's commitment to a mutual growth drive with small- and medium-sized enterprises, a financially strained group burdened by high-interest costs and a stagnant economy, Hana said.

The chair offered words of consolation and hope for the future.

He visited a number of nearby businesses — their corporate borrowers — and stressed the importance of in-person, face-to-face time spent with customers.

Ham also reiterated his commitment to customer-oriented financial services, as outlined under the "customer first" drive under the group's overarching environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices.

Hana pledged to spend 10 billion won ($6.8 million) for 3,500 small businesses as part of the ESG initiative this year.

Included will be replacing old, low-efficiency refrigerators and air conditioners with new, higher-efficiency models for 1,000 businesses.

In June, Hana will help some 2,000 businesses with the replacement of old signboards, renovations and waterproofing.

In August, the group will help 500 businesses establish barrier-free kiosks and artificial intelligence surveillance video systems.

"We will continue to bolster the corporate strategy of mutual growth with small businesses, helping them bounce back in times of economic slowdown," Ham said. "Hana will be a reliable partner to small businesses, to make sure they never lose hope and faith."

The group plans to strengthen corporate culture where Hana employees always reflect on which guiding principles they should follow when faced with challenges.

Interaffiliate collaboration will be fostered, creating partnerships with external business partners, the group added.