Banking
South Korea — Banking: Best Banks
The guide lists KB Kookmin, Hana, Shinhan, Woori, IBK, Nonghyup, KDB, Standard Chartered Korea and Busan Bank among Korea's main banks.
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourceWise guides to South Korean banks (commercial source, checked May 2024 and August 2022)Last reviewed: 2026-10-26
Key facts
- Banks listed: KB Kookmin, Hana, Shinhan, Woori, Industrial Bank of Korea, Nonghyup, Korea Development Bank, Standard Chartered Korea and Busan Bank; the Export-Import Bank offers no retail accounts.
- KB Kookmin is described as the largest, with an English website and a KB Welcome Service; Hana offers its Easy-One Foreigner Service.
- Accounts aimed at foreigners include the KB Welcome Account, Hana EasyOne Pack and Woori Fortune Salary Account.
- There are about 20 local and 35 foreign banks in Korea; no ranking is published.
Steps
- Choosing a Bank — Relocating individuals should research the specific services and requirements of each bank, including language support, international account access, and fees associated with account maintenance and transactions.