(Hana Financial Group)
(Hana Financial Group)

Hana Financial Group announced Monday that it has received the highest "AAA" rating in the latest MSCI ESG Ratings, securing the top spot globally in the banking sector.

The MSCI ESG Ratings, provided by global index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International, assess over 8,500 companies worldwide, evaluating corporate environmental, social and governance performance on a seven-tier scale ranging from "AAA" to "CCC."

Hana Financial Group’s rating climbed two notches from "A" in 2021, recording the highest score of 7.6 among all banks evaluated in 2024, according to the company. The firm is one of only two South Korean financial groups, alongside Woori Financial Group, to accumulate more than seven points in the assessment.

The financial group attributed its top-tier rating to its efforts to enhance governance structures, including bolstering board independence and transparency. It has also expanded social impact initiatives such as financial education programs for underprivileged groups and tailored services for small business owners, foreign students and senior citizens.

“We see this ‘AAA’ MSCI ESG rating as recognition of our continued commitment to ESG-driven financial services,” Hana Financial Group Chair Ham Young-joo said. “We will keep strengthening our sustainable finance initiatives and contributing to inclusive economic growth.”

The recognition adds to Hana Financial Group’s growing list of ESG achievements. In 2022, it was ranked first globally in the banking sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and has remained in the DJSI World Index for three consecutive years. The company added that it has also maintained its position in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Sector Honors Club for four years running.

By Park Li-na (linapark@heraldcorp.com)