KB Financial Group Joins Global ESG Index ‘FTSE4Good’ for 15th Consecutive Year

Chairman Yang Jong-hee of KB Financial Group. (Photos: KB Financial Group)

KB Financial Group has entered the global ESG investment index ‘FTSE4Good’ for the 15th consecutive year, reaffirming its global leadership in sustainable management.

The FTSE4Good Index is a sustainable investment index compiled by FTSE Russell Group, jointly established by the UK’s Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange.

It evaluates the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management performances of global listed companies and serves as one of the primary benchmarks used by major European and global investors for investment decisions.

In this evaluation, KB Financial Group achieved scores exceeding the industry average across all of the environmental, social, and governance categories, receiving particularly strong ratings in climate change response, consumer protection, and governance transparency.

Beyond this FTSE4Good inclusion, KB Financial Group consistently receives high ESG scores from global rating agencies. The financial group received a AAA rating from MSCI ESG for three consecutive years.

It achieved the highest Leadership A rating in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s climate change response assessment and has been included in the World Index of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for nine consecutive years.

“This 15th consecutive inclusion in the FTSE4Good demonstrates that KB Financial Group’s solid performances across environmental, social, and governance areas continues to earn trust in the global market,” a KB Financial Group official said. “Going forward, KB Financial Group will provide financial services for the people, based on an actionable ESG strategy.”

KB Financial Group’s Popular AI Art Journey Video

KB Financial Group announced that views for its “Into the Artventure” video — an AI art project featuring the group’s character Star Friends and artist Shim Bong-min released last July — has surpassed one million views.

This video is the second Star Friends video produced using generative AI technology, following the “Star Friends’ Adventure” music video first unveiled in October of 2024.

KB Financial Group reinterpreted artist Shim Bong-min’s work, featured in the group’s 2026 calendar under the theme “Star Friends’ Art Journey,” using the latest AI technology.

In the one-minute video, Star Friends’ Kiki travels through the uniquely warm and lyrical world of Shim Bong-min’s art.

The adorable character roams through a lush garden in all seasons and leaves a brief yet profound impression on modern people living busy lives.

College student volunteers pose for a photo at the Joint Launch Ceremony for the 25th class of the KB-YMCA College Student Volunteer Group Polaris+ in the main auditorium of KB Kookmin Bank’s Cheonan Training Center on Aug. 28.

College Student Economic and Financial Education Volunteer Corps

KB Financial Group’s KB Public Welfare Foundation Launches the Polaris+ College Student Economic and Financial Education Volunteer Corps to guide children toward sound financial habits.

KB Financial Group’s KB Financial Public Welfare Foundation held the launch ceremony for the 25th class of the Polaris+ College Student Economic and Financial Education Volunteer Corps at KB Kookmin Bank’s Cheonan Training Center on Aug. 28.

The Polaris+ College Student Economic and Financial Education Volunteer Corps is jointly run by the KB Foundation and the National YMCA of Korea.

The group is a college student volunteer corps that teaches children nationwide sound economic and financial concepts and rational consumption habits.

One-hundred-fifty college student volunteers selected nationwide completed training over two days on Aug. 27 and 28, covering basic economic and financial education and teaching methods.

At the launch ceremony, the KB Foundation presented certificates and prizes in the name of Yang Jong-hee, chairman of KB Financial Group to five members who demonstrated exemplary performances during the previous 24th class.

Starting this September, the volunteers will serve as instructors for the KB Star Economics Classroom Program, delivering economic and financial education to lower elementary school students during after-school programs at 75 elementary schools nationwide.

The KB Star Economics Classroom consists of book discussions using fairy tales incorporating economic and financial themes, experiential activities like role-playing and games, quiz games utilizing a metaverse.

Participating elementary students can naturally develop economic thinking and form financial habits in daily life through easy and fun activities.

College student volunteers gain educational fulfillment by planning and running the classes themselves, while also accumulating experience in career path searches and realizing social value.