Finance CEOs cash in as stocks soar on value drive – The Korea Herald
Business Finance CEOs cash in as stocks soar on value drive
Published : July 15, 2025 – 15:11:03
Link copied!
Responsible buybacks deliver windfall for executives amid banking rally
As Korean financial stocks rally on the back of value enhancement drives, top executives are emerging as key beneficiaries, with CEOs at the four major groups seeing their shareholdings rise by an average of 340 million won ($246,000).
As of Monday, shares of Korea’s four major banking groups — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — have risen an average 58 percent this year. Shinhan, Hana and Woori each notched all-time highs, closing at 71,800 won, 95,600 won and 26,700 won, respectively. Hana and Woori extended gains on Tuesday, testing fresh records.
KB Kookmin, the sector’s heavyweight, led last year’s banking rally with a 53 percent stock surge. Starting 2025 as one of the Kospi’s top 10 by market capitalization, it hit an all-time high of 122,000 won per share on July 8, cementing its position at No. 5 with a market cap of 45.2 trillion won and overtaking Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Aerospace.
The rally has bolstered shareholder returns, especially for top executives who championed buybacks in the name of responsible management.
Hana Financial Group CEO Ham Young-joo emerged as the biggest gainer. His roughly 15,130 treasury shares have increased in value by more than 600 million won this year to about 1.46 billion won, as Hana’s stock surged 68 percent.
In percentage terms, Woori Financial Group CEO Yim Jong-yong saw the sharpest gain. The value of his holdings rose by 74 percent, or 153.7 million won, in line with Woori’s 73 percent jump — the biggest among the four banking groups.
Shinhan Financial Group CEO Jin Ok-dong, who holds the largest number of treasury shares among his peers at about 18,900, saw his stake appreciate by 460 million won to 1.36 billion won, tracking Shinhan’s 50 percent rise.
KB Financial Group CEO Yang Jong-hee also benefited, with the value of his roughly 5,450 shares climbing from about 452 million won to 646.5 million won — a gain of nearly 200 million won this year.
Gains are even more pronounced when measured against executives’ purchase prices.
Hana CEO Ham’s roughly 100,000 shares bought at an average of 41,631 won have more than doubled, rising 130 percent. Woori CEO Yim’s 10,000 shares purchased at 11,800 won in September 2023 have surged 127 percent. Shinhan’s Jin, who acquired 5,000 shares at 34,350 won in June 2023, has seen them more than double to Monday’s close of 71,800 won.
KB CEO Yang’s 5,000 shares bought at around 77,000 won in March 2024 have climbed 54 percent since purchase.
Some lower-ranking executives have shown an even deeper commitment to stewardship through their shareholdings.
At Woori, Chief Financial Officer Lee Sung-wook owns 13,000 treasury shares — more than CEO Yim’s roughly 10,000. Lee reportedly executed eight separate buybacks from early 2020, when he joined the executive team, through September 2023.
Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk, who serves as a registered non-executive director on the group’s board, holds 10,700 treasury shares, which have delivered a 77 percent return.
Industry minister nominee pushes Korean take on US Inflation Reduction Act
Kim Jung-kwan, the first nominee for industry minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration, has pledged to introduce a production-linked tax incentive system for key industries such as semiconducto
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
Will Kumgangsan UNESCO listing open path for inter-Korean cooperation?
Mercedes-Benz opens world’s first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul
The sound of now: young Korean creators redefine tradition and form
Egypt wants Korean companies in chemical industry: former governor
Diplomatic Circuit
France wishes to play full part with South Korea on Bastille Day
Diplomatic Circuit
Quick Read
Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
Oddities
From the funny to the strange and downright unbelievable
Down the rabbit hole
A look at language in the news and the choices we make
K-pop 101
The world of K-pop explained, for both fans and newcomers
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
Kospi could soar 50% in 2 years: JPMorgan
Hybe’s Bang Si-hyuk referred for IPO fraud probe
In test-obsessed Korea, AI boom arrives in exams, ahead of the technology itself
Strings attached: Korea’s stimulus coupons spark retail divide
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
'Sokgunghap': How early should sex factor into finding a partner?
Seoul’s summer too hot to handle — even for mosquitoes
Mercedes-Benz opens world’s first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul
Hit webtoon 'S Line' turned into drama series, exploring world with visible sexual connections
Address : Huam-ro 4-gil 10, Yongsan-gu,Seoul, Korea Tel : +82-2-727-0114 Online newspaper registration No : Seoul 아03711
Date of registration : 2015.04.28 Publisher. Editor : Choi Jin-Young Juvenile Protection Manager : Choi He-suk
The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. Copyright Herald Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
Published : July 15, 2025 – 15:11:03
Link copied!
Responsible buybacks deliver windfall for executives amid banking rally
As Korean financial stocks rally on the back of value enhancement drives, top executives are emerging as key beneficiaries, with CEOs at the four major groups seeing their shareholdings rise by an average of 340 million won ($246,000).
As of Monday, shares of Korea’s four major banking groups — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — have risen an average 58 percent this year. Shinhan, Hana and Woori each notched all-time highs, closing at 71,800 won, 95,600 won and 26,700 won, respectively. Hana and Woori extended gains on Tuesday, testing fresh records.
KB Kookmin, the sector’s heavyweight, led last year’s banking rally with a 53 percent stock surge. Starting 2025 as one of the Kospi’s top 10 by market capitalization, it hit an all-time high of 122,000 won per share on July 8, cementing its position at No. 5 with a market cap of 45.2 trillion won and overtaking Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Aerospace.
The rally has bolstered shareholder returns, especially for top executives who championed buybacks in the name of responsible management.
Hana Financial Group CEO Ham Young-joo emerged as the biggest gainer. His roughly 15,130 treasury shares have increased in value by more than 600 million won this year to about 1.46 billion won, as Hana’s stock surged 68 percent.
In percentage terms, Woori Financial Group CEO Yim Jong-yong saw the sharpest gain. The value of his holdings rose by 74 percent, or 153.7 million won, in line with Woori’s 73 percent jump — the biggest among the four banking groups.
Shinhan Financial Group CEO Jin Ok-dong, who holds the largest number of treasury shares among his peers at about 18,900, saw his stake appreciate by 460 million won to 1.36 billion won, tracking Shinhan’s 50 percent rise.
KB Financial Group CEO Yang Jong-hee also benefited, with the value of his roughly 5,450 shares climbing from about 452 million won to 646.5 million won — a gain of nearly 200 million won this year.
Gains are even more pronounced when measured against executives’ purchase prices.
Hana CEO Ham’s roughly 100,000 shares bought at an average of 41,631 won have more than doubled, rising 130 percent. Woori CEO Yim’s 10,000 shares purchased at 11,800 won in September 2023 have surged 127 percent. Shinhan’s Jin, who acquired 5,000 shares at 34,350 won in June 2023, has seen them more than double to Monday’s close of 71,800 won.
KB CEO Yang’s 5,000 shares bought at around 77,000 won in March 2024 have climbed 54 percent since purchase.
Some lower-ranking executives have shown an even deeper commitment to stewardship through their shareholdings.
At Woori, Chief Financial Officer Lee Sung-wook owns 13,000 treasury shares — more than CEO Yim’s roughly 10,000. Lee reportedly executed eight separate buybacks from early 2020, when he joined the executive team, through September 2023.
Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk, who serves as a registered non-executive director on the group’s board, holds 10,700 treasury shares, which have delivered a 77 percent return.
Industry minister nominee pushes Korean take on US Inflation Reduction Act
Kim Jung-kwan, the first nominee for industry minister under the Lee Jae Myung administration, has pledged to introduce a production-linked tax incentive system for key industries such as semiconducto
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
Will Kumgangsan UNESCO listing open path for inter-Korean cooperation?
Mercedes-Benz opens world’s first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul
The sound of now: young Korean creators redefine tradition and form
Egypt wants Korean companies in chemical industry: former governor
Diplomatic Circuit
France wishes to play full part with South Korea on Bastille Day
Diplomatic Circuit
Quick Read
Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
Oddities
From the funny to the strange and downright unbelievable
Down the rabbit hole
A look at language in the news and the choices we make
K-pop 101
The world of K-pop explained, for both fans and newcomers
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
Kospi could soar 50% in 2 years: JPMorgan
Hybe’s Bang Si-hyuk referred for IPO fraud probe
In test-obsessed Korea, AI boom arrives in exams, ahead of the technology itself
Strings attached: Korea’s stimulus coupons spark retail divide
Allies under fire: Why do Trump tariffs target Korea, Japan first?
'Sokgunghap': How early should sex factor into finding a partner?
Seoul’s summer too hot to handle — even for mosquitoes
Mercedes-Benz opens world’s first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul
Hit webtoon 'S Line' turned into drama series, exploring world with visible sexual connections
Address : Huam-ro 4-gil 10, Yongsan-gu,Seoul, Korea Tel : +82-2-727-0114 Online newspaper registration No : Seoul 아03711
Date of registration : 2015.04.28 Publisher. Editor : Choi Jin-Young Juvenile Protection Manager : Choi He-suk
The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. Copyright Herald Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
source
This article was autogenerated from a news feed from CDO TIMES selected high quality news and research sources. There was no editorial review conducted beyond that by CDO TIMES staff. Need help with any of the topics in our articles? Schedule your free CDO TIMES Tech Navigator call today to stay ahead of the curve and gain insider advantages to propel your business!
