# KakaoBank

> KakaoBank is a South Korean internet-only bank affiliated with the Kakao ecosystem.

Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/kakaobank
Last updated: 2026-08-11
Categories: Financial technology, South Korea neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2016

**KakaoBank** is a South Korean licensed internet-only [neobank](/wiki/neobank) launched in 2017. Affiliated with the Kakao messaging and commerce ecosystem, it became one of the country's largest digital banks by customers and later listed publicly.[^kakao1]

## History

KakaoBank opened as one of South Korea's first specialised internet banks, leveraging KakaoTalk distribution to acquire customers rapidly. It listed on the Korea Exchange in 2021.

## Founders

[KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank) was established in 2016 as a consortium-backed internet-only bank rather than a classic dual-founder startup. Major founding shareholders included **Kakao Corp** (the KakaoTalk messaging giant) and **Korea Investment Holdings**, combining distribution reach with financial-industry sponsorship under South Korea's specialised internet-bank regime.

Early leadership featured co-CEOs **Lee Yong-woo** (이용우), drawn from the Korea Investment side with a capital-markets background, and **Yun Ho-young** (윤호영), from Kakao's mobile-bank task force with experience bridging ICT and financial services. Yun later continued as chief executive as KakaoBank used KakaoTalk acquisition channels to become one of Korea's largest digital banks and list on the Korea Exchange in 2021.

## Internet-only bank

KakaoBank is a specialised internet-only bank under South Korean regulation, distinct from branch-based incumbents. Affiliation with Kakao's messaging ecosystem enabled rapid customer acquisition; the company listed on the Korea Exchange in 2021.

## Reception

KakaoBank is one of Asia's most prominent digital banks by customers and market capitalisation. Observers credit KakaoTalk distribution while watching competition from other Korean internet banks and platform fintechs.

## Products

Products include deposit accounts, transfers, loans, debit cards and securities-related offerings delivered through a mobile app integrated with Kakao services.

## Infobox

- **Type**: Public (KRX)
- **Founded**: 2016 (service 2017)
- **Founding partners**: Kakao, Korea Investment Holdings
- **Headquarters**: Seongnam, South Korea
- **Licence**: Korean internet bank
- **Model**: Licensed neobank

## Frequently asked questions

### What is KakaoBank?

KakaoBank is a South Korean internet-only bank affiliated with the Kakao ecosystem.

### When was KakaoBank founded?

KakaoBank was founded in 2016 (service 2017).

### Where is KakaoBank headquartered?

KakaoBank is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea.

### What type of company is KakaoBank?

KakaoBank is described as Licensed neobank in its neobank.wiki profile.


## References

[^kakao1]: KakaoBank Corp. is a licensed internet-only bank in South Korea and a publicly listed company. — https://www.kakaobank.com/