Banks, insurers, brokerages and public financial institutions join

Event to be held twice a year from next year, once outside Greater Seoul

The Financial Services Commission office inside Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul [Yonhap]
The Financial Services Commission office inside Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul [Yonhap]

This year's joint financial sector job fair is being held at its largest scale ever, with 82 institutions participating across banking, insurance, brokerage and public financial sectors. Financial regulators plan to expand the fair to twice a year starting next year, with one edition held outside the Greater Seoul area.

The Financial Services Commission announced Wednesday that it is hosting the "2026 Joint Financial Sector Job Fair" at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

Running through Thursday, the event brings together 82 institutions — 15 banks, 16 insurers, nine brokerages, 12 card and capital companies, 20 public financial institutions, six industry associations and four foreign financial firms — marking a record high. Participation has grown steadily from 64 institutions in 2023 to 78 in 2024 and 80 last year.

Activities include on-site and mock interviews, recruitment consultations, a conference with industry professionals, job-experience and education programs, and an AI-based personalized employment support program. On-site interviews linked to actual hiring — previously limited to the banking sector — have been extended to other financial industries, including Korea Investment & Securities and the Seoul branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Top-performing interviewees will be exempt from the document screening stage in future open recruitment processes.

Job-function programs have also been strengthened. Lectures on written financial sector exams, hands-on practice sessions including presentations, and expert feedback programs will be offered. A new "financial job experience center" has been set up where visitors can try tasks in a workspace that mirrors real working conditions. Video mock interviews and recruitment consultations will also be available for young job seekers outside the region who cannot attend in person.

Financial authorities said the fair's support needs to be broadened so young people can access employment opportunities across a wider range of fields, as AI adoption and other technological shifts are changing hiring demand and job structures in the financial sector. Accordingly, the fair will be held twice a year starting next year, up from once annually. One edition will be held outside the Greater Seoul area to improve access for young people in other regions. After the fair closes, the event website will be converted into a financial sector recruitment information platform to provide ongoing career resources.

Cho Yong-byoung, chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks, said the financial sector is working to create new jobs and reinvigorate the real economy in line with changes driven by AI and digital technology. "We cheer on the young talent who will lead change with creativity and problem-solving ability," he said.

Yoo Dong-su, chairman of the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee, said the current reality is far from easy for young people preparing to enter the workforce. "I hope today's event becomes a precious opportunity for young people to take one step closer to their dreams," he said.

FSC Chairman Lee Eok-won said conditions in the job market for young people are difficult, and that barriers to entering the financial sector remain high due to AI adoption and companies' growing preference for experienced hires. He urged financial institutions to actively expand quality jobs for young people and provide internship experience and diverse job-function opportunities, taking into account the social responsibilities of the financial sector.


rim@heraldcorp.com