Korea’s four major financial holding companies — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — will treat the accelerating shift in technology and financial paradigms as both a challenge and an opportunity in 2026, pledging to revamp business models around productive finance while expanding into new growth areas, their chairmen said in New Year’s messages Friday. The leaders shared a focus on accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation; strengthening risk management and advisory-based businesses amid rapid asset shifts; and maximizing synergies across banking, securities and insurance. They also identified emerging fields such as digital assets and won-based stablecoins as key areas for securing sustainable competitiveness. KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee outlined “transition and expansion” as the guiding principle of the group’s management strategy for 2026. “KB should safeguard its existing strengths and foundations while reshaping its business approach to adapt to a changing environment and broadening its reach to customer segments and marke