Program offers voice phishing and loan fraud prevention training, credit management education, and a matching grant of up to 1.5 million won ($987)

Executives from Woori Financial Group and representatives of Cheongyeon-ui Tteul pose with youth participants at the sixth session of the "Self-Reliant Youth WOORI CHANCE Financial Education" program at Woori Bank's headquarters on Saturday. [Woori Financial Future Foundation]
Executives from Woori Financial Group and representatives of Cheongyeon-ui Tteul pose with youth participants at the sixth session of the "Self-Reliant Youth WOORI CHANCE Financial Education" program at Woori Bank's headquarters on Saturday. [Woori Financial Future Foundation]

Woori Financial Future Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Woori Financial Group, announced Sunday it is running the "Self-Reliant Youth WOORI CHANCE Financial Education" program.

The inclusive finance initiative is designed to strengthen the economic capabilities of young adults between the ages of 22 and 29 who have left state care facilities and are living independently. A total of 200 participants are expected to take part in the sixth and seventh cohorts.

At a special lecture held Saturday at Woori Bank's headquarters, employees from Woori Bank and Woori Financial Capital volunteered as instructors, sharing practical financial knowledge essential for young people entering society — including how to guard against voice phishing, loan fraud and credit mismanagement.

Participants receive 12 sessions of personalized one-on-one online financial education over six months, building the foundational skills needed for economic independence.

Starting this year, the program also introduced a sunbae supporter system in which graduates from previous cohorts serve as mentors to newer participants, creating a virtuous cycle of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.

Woori Financial has also set up a separate savings incentive: if a participant saves at least 1.5 million won ($987) during the six-month program, the foundation matches that amount with an additional 1.5 million won. The initiative aims to give young people the experience of building a meaningful lump sum of 3 million won on their own, fostering healthy financial habits and a stable path to independence.

Woori Financial has been expanding its inclusive finance efforts for youth across the group. In March, it launched the "Woori WON Dream Living Expense Loan," targeting financially vulnerable individuals such as young adults who have difficulty verifying income. Chairman Lim Jong-ryong also emphasized the point Sunday at the Advanced Strategic Industry Finance Council, saying, "Youth are the core generation that will lead our future, and we must continue providing meaningful financial support so they do not lose hope."

"We will continue to offer practical support so that young people can achieve economic independence on the foundation of healthy financial habits," a Woori Financial Future Foundation official said.


hyuk@heraldcorp.com