Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

<p><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woori-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27995:1" rel="noopener">Woori Financial Group (316140 KS)</a> announced that it plans a full privatization of the company by the end of 2021.</strong> Currently, Woori Financial's largest shareholder is Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) which has a 15.1% in the company. Korean government backed KDIC plans to sell at least 10% stake in <a href="https://m.stock.naver.com/index.html#/news/ranknews/view/018/0005034309" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woori Financial</a> by the end of 2021.</p><div class="content-highlight">
<p>One of the positives of Woori Financial after the privatization is completed is that the new controlling shareholder may try to improve various corporate governance policies in order to boost the total shareholder returns including paying higher dividends and completing higher share buyback with cancellations. </p>
<p>With the announcement of the privatization of Woori Financial Holdings by the end of 2021, an attractive long-short trading idea in the Korean financial sector would be to go long <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woori-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27995:1" rel="noopener">Woori Financial Group (316140 KS)</a> and go short <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a>.</p>
</div>

Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) announced that it plans a full privatization of the company by the end of 2021. Currently, Woori Financial's largest shareholder is Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) which has a 15.1% in the company. Korean government backed KDIC plans to sell at least 10% stake in Woori Financial by the end of 2021.
One of the positives of Woori Financial after the privatization is completed is that the new controlling shareholder may try to improve various corporate governance policies in order to boost the total shareholder returns including paying higher dividends and completing higher share buyback with cancellations. 
With the announcement of the privatization of Woori Financial Holdings by the end of 2021, an attractive long-short trading idea in the Korean financial sector would be to go long Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) and go short KakaoBank (323410 KS).


Privatization of Woori Financial by the End of 2021

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>In this insight, we discuss 10 different mean reversion pair trade ideas among the 6 major banks in Korea. The six major banks have had solid share price performances this year as their share prices are up on average 23.5% YTD, outperforming the market. </p><p>The overall trend among these different Korean banks' share prices (in terms of the % daily difference in the gaps of their share prices) has been consolidating.  Our data sample covers 246 trading days in the past year. </p><p>An example of the pair trade idea is between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kb-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:718:1" rel="noopener">KB Financial (105560 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinhan-financial-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6978:1" rel="noopener">Shinhan Financial (055550 KS). </a>In the past year, there were four trading days when the daily change in the difference between two stocks exceeded 15% and three trading days when the daily change in the difference between two stocks exceeded -10%. In the past several weeks, the gap in the difference between two stocks has been consolidating and there does not appear to be noticeable mean reversion trading opportunity on this pair trade right now.</p><p><em>Trading idea: Look to put a mean reversion pair trade (long-short) if and when the daily change in the difference between the two stocks exceed either 15% or -10%. </em></p>

In this insight, we discuss 10 different mean reversion pair trade ideas among the 6 major banks in Korea. The six major banks have had solid share price performances this year as their share prices are up on average 23.5% YTD, outperforming the market. The overall trend among these different Korean banks' share prices (in terms of the % daily difference in the gaps of their share prices) has been consolidating.  Our data sample covers 246 trading days in the past year. An example of the pair trade idea is between KB Financial (105560 KS) and Shinhan Financial (055550 KS). In the past year, there were four trading days when the daily change in the difference between two stocks exceeded 15% and three trading days when the daily change in the difference between two stocks exceeded -10%. In the past several weeks, the gap in the difference between two stocks has been consolidating and there does not appear to be noticeable mean reversion trading opportunity on this pair trade right now.Trading idea: Look to put a mean reversion pair trade (long-short) if and when the daily change in the difference between the two stocks exceed either 15% or -10%. 

Mean Reversion Pair Trade Ideas in the Korean Banking Sector

APAC IPOs & Placements

Zhen Zhou, Toh

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Woori Financial Group  / Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongyang-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13759:1" rel="noopener">Tongyang Life Insurance (082640 KS)</a> is looking to sell its entire 3.7% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woori-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27995:1" rel="noopener">Woori Financial Group (316140 KS)</a> (WFG). This is a clean-up trade.</p><p>We have covered previous selldown in:</p><ul><li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/woori-finacials-placement-one-overhang-gone-in-a-well-flagged-deal-another-remains" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woori Financials Placement - One Overhang Gone in a Well Flagged Deal, Another Remains</a></p></li></ul>

Tongyang Life Insurance (082640 KS) is looking to sell its entire 3.7% stake in Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) (WFG). This is a clean-up trade.We have covered previous selldown in:Woori Financials Placement - One Overhang Gone in a Well Flagged Deal, Another Remains

Woori Financials Placement - Tong Yang Cleans up but KDIC Could Sell More

Korea / Special Situations, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Situations

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

<p>Over the past month, the stock performance of the four largest banks in Korea has been interesting. Hana Financial Group and Woori Financial Group outperformed relatively, and in particular, KB Financial Group underperformed by more than 5%p compared to Woori Financial Group.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/219/154/original/Screen+Shot+2021-07-18+at+6.21.51+PM.png?1626646949" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="219154"></figure><p></p></section><p>In this interim dividend, there is a possibility that dividends not paid last year will be paid retroactively. However, excluding this possibility and assuming that the total annual dividend for this year is adjusted to the level of 2019, Woori Financial Group and Hana Financial Group have the highest dividend yields.</p><table class="table table-striped">
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<td style="width: 380.724px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Dividend yield"}'>Estimated dividend yield, assuming that the total annual dividend for. this year is adjusted to the level of 2019</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 86.8324px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2018}'>2018</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 92.5852px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2019}'>2019</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 94.7301px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2020}'>2020</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 91.1364px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"2021E"}'>2021E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 380.724px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial"}'>Shinhan Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 86.8324px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0404}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.04%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 92.5852px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0427}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.27%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 94.7301px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0468}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.68%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 91.1364px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.050608571468662246}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-14]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-42]C[0], "price")'><strong>5.06%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 380.724px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"KB Financial"}'>KB Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 86.8324px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0413}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.13%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 92.5852px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0464}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.64%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 94.7301px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0408}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.08%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 91.1364px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.05260170044159115}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-14]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-42]C[0], "price")'><strong>5.26%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 380.724px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Hana Financial"}'>Hana Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 86.8324px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0524}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.24%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 92.5852px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0569}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.69%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 94.7301px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0536}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.36%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 91.1364px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0619847401646764}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-14]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-42]C[0], "price")'><strong>6.20%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 380.724px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Woori Financial"}'><div><div>Woori Financial</div></div></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 86.8324px;"></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 92.5852px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0603}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>6.03%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 94.7301px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.037}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>3.70%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 91.1364px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.06629340778032639}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-14]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-42]C[0], "price")'><strong>6.63%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="5" rowspan="1" style="width: 746.008px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro"}'>Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table><p>This is similar to the dividend yield calculated based on this year's estimated DPS of local street consensus gathered by FnGuide.</p><table class="table table-striped">
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<tr>
<td style="width: 362.429px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Dividend yield"}'>Annual dividend yield based on the local street consensus compiled by FnGuide</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2018}'>2018</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2019}'>2019</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2020}'>2020</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 96.0653px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"2021E"}'>2021E</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 362.429px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial"}'>Shinhan Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0404}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.04%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0427}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.27%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0468}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.68%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 96.0653px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.052}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-28]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-35]C[0], "price")'><strong>5.20%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 362.429px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"KB Financial"}'>KB Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0413}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.13%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0464}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.64%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0408}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>4.08%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 96.0653px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.05146666666666667}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-28]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-35]C[0], "price")'><strong>5.15%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 362.429px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Hana Financial"}'>Hana Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0524}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.24%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0569}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.69%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0536}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>5.36%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 96.0653px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.06045662100456621}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-28]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-35]C[0], "price")'><strong>6.05%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 362.429px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Woori Financial"}'><div><div>Woori Financial</div></div></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;">-</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.0603}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>6.03%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 95.8381px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.037}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}'>3.70%</td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 96.0653px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.06334801762114538}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula='=R[-28]C[0]/googlefinance(R[-35]C[0], "price")'><strong>6.33%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="5" rowspan="1" style="width: 746.008px;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro"}'>Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table><p>As shown in the downward trend of 12M forward PER below, the market is taking a conservative approach to the recent slowdown in bank stocks' earnings growth, which is believed to have led to growing interest in dividends.</p><p>Interestingly, the difference in P/E decline between Hana Financial Group and KB Financial Group was the largest. This seems to have been influenced by the fact that Hana Financial Group has a higher probability of paying expected dividends than Woori Financial Group.</p><table class="table table-striped">
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<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"12-month forward PER"}'>12-month forward PER</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":44393}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":5,"2":"yyyy. m. d","3":1}'>2021. 7. 16</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"3 months ago"}'>3 months ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"3-month Δ"}'>3-month Δ</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial"}'>Shinhan Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":5.03}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'>5.03x</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":5.12}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'>5.12x</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.017578124999999972}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-2]-R[0]C[-1])/R[0]C[-1]">-1.76%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"KB Financial"}'><strong>KB Financial</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":5.17}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'><strong>5.17x</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":5.65}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'><strong>5.65x</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.08495575221238945}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-2]-R[0]C[-1])/R[0]C[-1]"><strong>-8.50%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Hana Financial"}'><strong>Hana Financial</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":4.21}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'><strong>4.21x</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":4.35}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'><strong>4.35x</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.03218390804597694}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-2]-R[0]C[-1])/R[0]C[-1]"><strong>-3.22%</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Woori Financial"}'>Woori Financial</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":3.99}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'>3.99x</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":4.16}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0.00x","3":1}'>4.16x</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.040865384615384595}' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-2]-R[0]C[-1])/R[0]C[-1]">-4.09%</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4" rowspan="1" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro"}'>Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Over the past month, the stock performance of the four largest banks in Korea has been interesting. Hana Financial Group and Woori Financial Group outperformed relatively, and in particular, KB Financial Group underperformed by more than 5%p compared to Woori Financial Group.In this interim dividend, there is a possibility that dividends not paid last year will be paid retroactively. However, excluding this possibility and assuming that the total annual dividend for this year is adjusted to the level of 2019, Woori Financial Group and Hana Financial Group have the highest dividend yields.









Estimated dividend yield, assuming that the total annual dividend for. this year is adjusted to the level of 2019
2018
2019
2020
2021E


Shinhan Financial
4.04%
4.27%
4.68%
5.06%


KB Financial
4.13%
4.64%
4.08%
5.26%


Hana Financial
5.24%
5.69%
5.36%
6.20%


Woori Financial

6.03%
3.70%
6.63%

Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro

This is similar to the dividend yield calculated based on this year's estimated DPS of local street consensus gathered by FnGuide.









Annual dividend yield based on the local street consensus compiled by FnGuide
2018
2019
2020
2021E


Shinhan Financial
4.04%
4.27%
4.68%
5.20%


KB Financial
4.13%
4.64%
4.08%
5.15%


Hana Financial
5.24%
5.69%
5.36%
6.05%


Woori Financial
-
6.03%
3.70%
6.33%

Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro

As shown in the downward trend of 12M forward PER below, the market is taking a conservative approach to the recent slowdown in bank stocks' earnings growth, which is believed to have led to growing interest in dividends.Interestingly, the difference in P/E decline between Hana Financial Group and KB Financial Group was the largest. This seems to have been influenced by the fact that Hana Financial Group has a higher probability of paying expected dividends than Woori Financial Group.








12-month forward PER
2021. 7. 16
3 months ago
3-month Δ


Shinhan Financial
5.03x
5.12x
-1.76%


KB Financial
5.17x
5.65x
-8.50%


Hana Financial
4.21x
4.35x
-3.22%


Woori Financial
3.99x
4.16x
-4.09%

Source: FnGuide &amp; KSD Seibro



Korean Local Banks Trading Dynamics: Dividend Yield Difference & Kakao Bank Listing

<p>In this insight, we provide a deeper, competitive analysis of the Korean fintech industry and the major competitors. Once Kakao Pay completes its IPO, it will be the largest pure-play fintech company in Korea. In addition, we compare Kakao Pay's valuation against the recent $7.5 billion valuation received by Viva Republica in Korea. </p><p>The table below provides the main fintech services that are offered in South Korea along with the number of players competing in each of these segments. </p><table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 463.91px;"><strong>Fintech Services in Korea (Major Services &amp; Number of Players)</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 172.63px;"><strong>Major Services</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: left; width: 291.28px;"><strong>Key Details</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;"><strong>Number of firms (% of Total)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Payment/Money Transfer</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Provision of payment/remittance service through simple self-authentication on mobile devices with payment information registered in advance</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">83 (24.1%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Crowd Funding/P2P finance</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">A service that receives business funds, etc. from an unspecified number of investors through an online intermediary</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">45 (13.0%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Authentification/security</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Prevent crime by detecting abnormal transactions or provide identity authentication service through fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">43 (12.5%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Personal financial management</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Provides services such as expenditure management, integrated financial product management, credit score management, and customized financial product recommendation</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">33 (9.6%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Insurance</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Provides efficient and innovative services by converging the latest technologies in each insurance field</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">23 (6.7%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Investment</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Manage assets mainly based on AI algorithms or provide advice to investors</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">18 (5.2%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Fintech System Integrator</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Fintech infrastructure services such as financial data and risk management</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">18 (5.2%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Overseas money transfer</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Low fees and fast overseas remittance service</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">14 (4.1%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Cryptocurrency</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">Provision of crypto currency distribution service</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">6 (1.7%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;">Others</td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;"><div></div></td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;">62 (18.0%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 172.63px;"><strong>Total</strong></td>
<td style="width: 291.28px;">
<div>
<div></div>
<div><div></div></div>
</div>
<div><div></div></div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;"><strong>345</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="width: 463.91px;">Source: Korea Fintech Association, 2019</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 150.45px;"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

In this insight, we provide a deeper, competitive analysis of the Korean fintech industry and the major competitors. Once Kakao Pay completes its IPO, it will be the largest pure-play fintech company in Korea. In addition, we compare Kakao Pay's valuation against the recent $7.5 billion valuation received by Viva Republica in Korea. The table below provides the main fintech services that are offered in South Korea along with the number of players competing in each of these segments. 







Fintech Services in Korea (Major Services &amp; Number of Players)



Major Services
Key Details
Number of firms (% of Total)


Payment/Money Transfer
Provision of payment/remittance service through simple self-authentication on mobile devices with payment information registered in advance
83 (24.1%)


Crowd Funding/P2P finance
A service that receives business funds, etc. from an unspecified number of investors through an online intermediary
45 (13.0%)


Authentification/security
Prevent crime by detecting abnormal transactions or provide identity authentication service through fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition
43 (12.5%)


Personal financial management
Provides services such as expenditure management, integrated financial product management, credit score management, and customized financial product recommendation
33 (9.6%)


Insurance
Provides efficient and innovative services by converging the latest technologies in each insurance field
23 (6.7%)


Investment
Manage assets mainly based on AI algorithms or provide advice to investors
18 (5.2%)


Fintech System Integrator
Fintech infrastructure services such as financial data and risk management
18 (5.2%)


Overseas money transfer
Low fees and fast overseas remittance service
14 (4.1%)


Cryptocurrency
Provision of crypto currency distribution service
6 (1.7%)


Others

62 (18.0%)


Total







345


Source: Korea Fintech Association, 2019





Kakao Pay: An Overview of Korean Fintech Competitors & A Comparison to Viva Republica's Valuation

South Korea

Woori Financial Group Inc. provides commercial banking services. The Company offers deposit services, loan services, bill services, settlement services, credit card, international, online banking, and other related services. Woori Financial Group also operates banking and retail banking businesses.

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Woori Financial Group (316140 KS)

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