[ESG Management Column] KB Financial, Going Beyond Global Standards - 'Inclusive Finance 2.0' in the Super-Aged Society

Article | Choi Bong-hyeok, ESG columnist | The ESG News (esgre100.com) l Market Reassessment: The meaning and limitations of an ESG score of 85 points. As of November 23, 2025, the closing price of KB Financial Group's stock is 122,200 won (based on the closing price of the most recent trading day), a 28% increase from 95,400 won in 2024. This is the result of positive evaluations by global credit rating agencies.

S&P Global gave KB Financial an ESG score of 85 in June 2025, recognizing its "strong sustainability management system." Moody's (Aa3), S&P (A+), and Fitch (A) all maintained a stable outlook, evaluating that "KB's inclusive finance and climate response strengthen financial stability."

However, social risks due to the entry into a super-aged society (Korea's elderly population ratio exceeding 20% in 2025)—elderly poverty, youth unemployment for the disabled, and alienation of schizophrenia patients—are still insufficient. This is evident from the fact that the performance of inclusive finance (726.3 billion won for social contribution, 342.8 billion won for livelihood support) in the 2024 sustainability management report was mainly focused on small business owners. As stated by global institutions, KB's attention is drawn to how KB will reflect the point that "ESG is incomplete without social inclusion" (Moody's 2025 review).

The shadow of super-aging: The need for job support for marginalized groups. Korea is entering a super-aged society in 2025, with an unemployment rate of 5.2% for the elderly (65 years and older), an employment rate of less than 30% for young people with disabilities (15-29 years old), and 70% of schizophrenia patients (about 500,000) experiencing economic activity restrictions.

. In KB Financial's 2024 report, inclusive finance emphasizes support for vulnerable groups, but there is a lack of specific programs for these 'extremely marginalized groups'.

Source: The ESG News (https://www.esgre100.com)