Research Article
Development Directions of Internet-Only Banks in Korea
1 NH NongHyup Financial Group, 2 Sungkyunkwan University
Published: January 2018 · Vol. 47, No. 3 · pp. 549-576
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17287/kmr.2018.47.3.549
Full Text
Abstract
With the advance of FinTech, that is, the convergence of finance and information and communication technology (ICT), Kbank and Kakao Bank, the internet-only banks in Korea, have been launched. Established and operated by leading ICT companies in Korea, these internet-only banks are entirely aiming for non-face-to-face transactions with no restrictions on time and space through mobile platforms. By providing exceptionally low interest rates and innovative financial services, internet-only banks challenge traditional banks. However, the development of internet-only banks is expected to stagnate slightly due to the lack of relevant policy, which supports efficient operation of internet-only banks, and some regulations such as the segregation system, which restricts the ownership of industrial capital by bank. In this paper, we examine some cases and regulations of internet-only banks overseas and outline their history and industrial environments. Some internet-only banks overseas create synergy through collaboration with affiliates under appropriate regulatory and support systems, or actively use FinTech, given the capital and technological power of ICT companies, to lead the development of relevant industries. Moreover, they have innovated differentiated, new financial services market. To cope with the long-term development of the domestic internetonly bank industry and the innovations required by the financial industry as a whole, adequate regulation and policy environment are needed. Meanwhile, the companies that have potential technologies should actively discuss the use of FinTech.
