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Four major commercial banks — KB, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — are partnering with leading companies in the commerce sector to encourage more customers to open bank accounts, industry officials said Tuesday.
The target audience consists of millennials and Gen Zers, known as brand-conscious consumers with a significant influence on corporate marketing strategies.
The banks' strategies focus on offering accounts branded with a partner company's name, providing account holders with various financial benefits when they use the partner company's products and services.
In April, KB Kookmin Bank plans to launch the tentatively named "Starbucks Account" in collaboration with Starbucks Korea, the country's leading coffee franchise.
While the country's largest lender did not specify the benefits to be offered, industry officials speculate that they may include an unusually high deposit interest rate.
"The KB Kookmin Bank-Starbucks Korea partnership can appeal to millennials and Gen Zers considering each company is the top brand from their respective industry," a market observer said.
Both Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank are working with Naver Pay, the mobile payment arm of internet giant Naver, to develop financial benefits.
Their marketing strategy, however, is different, with Shinhan focusing on small-business owners while Woori is eyeing retail consumers who are interested in saving money.
"A partnership with Naver Pay means easier access to Naver's massive user base," a market observer said, adding "Such [a] partnership may possibly extend to other banks."
Woori Bank also plans to launch an account in partnership with CJ Pay, the mobile payment unit of CJ Group.
CJ Pay customers can load a specific amount of cash in advance and use it when making purchases.
Similar or even more advanced services are expected to be available for Woori Bank-CJ Pay account holders.
Hana Bank also teamed up with Karrot, the online operator of the country's largest secondhand market app.
The two sides are working on linking the prepaid cash service currently offered through Karrot's online payment system with a Hana Bank account.