BNK Financial Group (BNK) Earns an Integrated 'A' Rating for Fifth Straight Year in ESG Assessment by Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability (KCGS)

[Financial News] BNK was recognized for its sustainability management capabilities after earning an integrated A rating for the fifth consecutive year in a leading domestic environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment. It also earned A+ ratings for the fourth consecutive year in the social (S) category and the third consecutive year in the environmental (E) category, continuing its achievements in supporting local communities and expanding eco-friendly finance.
BNK said on the 13th that it had earned an integrated A rating in the '2026 ESG Assessment' announced by the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability (KCGS).
KCGS is an organization that comprehensively evaluates the level of ESG management at companies listed in Korea.
In the social category, BNK has continued initiatives to grow alongside local communities, including industrial finance to foster key regional industries; win-win finance for small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners; support for financially vulnerable groups; and financial consumer protection. In particular, by focusing on Busan–Gyeongnam Area-style productive finance to strengthen the competitiveness of regional industries and expand finance's social role, it was the only financial holding company to maintain an A+ rating in the social category for four consecutive years, as of 2025.
BNK has also focused on responding to climate change and expanding eco-friendly finance. It is upgrading its financed-emissions management system and expanding sustainable marine finance, while strengthening financial support for climate-tech companies in cooperation with Busan City and the Korea Technology Finance Corporation (KOTEC).
BNK maintained an A rating in the governance category. The group said this was the result of strengthening a transparent, board-centered decision-making system and upgrading its internal controls, compliance management and ESG risk management systems.
Major subsidiaries also received A ratings in the governance category. Busan Bank maintained its A rating for the second consecutive year, while BNK Kyongnam Bank rose one grade from the previous year's B+ rating.
A BNK Financial Group spokesperson said, “Earning an integrated A rating in ESG for five consecutive years is the result of the group's continued ESG management efforts across the organization, grounded in supporting local communities. We will continue to fulfill our role as a sustainable financial group that grows together with the regional economy.”

[email protected] Kwon Byeong-seok Reporter