Busan Finance Center

Good morning from Busan :) March 11, 2025. the IR for Financial Action Task Force (FATF) International Trainees was held on the 63rd floor of the BIFC, offering a panoramic view of Busan. We were honored to have 49 participants, including international trainees and FATF Training Institute staff. ?? The event featured a presentation on the development status of Busan's financial hub, followed by a discussion on future collaboration plans between BFC and FATF. ?? This IR marks a significant opportunity for Busan to further establish itself as a financial center. We appreciate your continued support for the Busan International Financial Center. ?? Special thanks to the 49 participants who attended the Busan financial hub IR and to Director Miae Jessica Park, Team Leader Seungjae Choi and Manager Gyeongmin Nam from BFC for their meaningful presentations.???

Z/Yen Community Newsletter March 2025 is Out Now! ?? ? Z/Yen Community Newsletter March 2025 - Launching the Industrial Transition Green Fund ? Issuer: Z/Yen Group Limited * A think tank in the City of London established in 1994 by Michael Mainelli, the current Mayor of the City of London for 2023/2024. Annually, Z/Yen publishes The Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) and The Global Green Finance Index (GGFI), ranking over 120 cities worldwide. ? Publication date: March 3, 2025 ? Main contents: Busan is taking a bold step toward high-value industrial transformation with the launch of the Busan Industrial Transition Green Fund. This ambitious initiative aims to establish a parent fund of approximately $38 million annually from 2025 to 2033, with the goal of forming sub-funds exceeding $173 million in total. https://lnkd.in/d-hbfsVu

Z/Yen Community Newsletter December 2024 is Out Now! ?? ? Z/Yen Community Newsletter December 2024 - Launch of the Busan Digital Asset Exchange (BDAN) ? Issuer: Z/Yen Group Limited * A think tank in the City of London established in 1994 by Michael Mainelli, the current Mayor of the City of London for 2023/2024. Annually, Z/Yen publishes The Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) and The Global Green Finance Index (GGFI), ranking over 120 cities worldwide. ? Publication date: December 4, 2024 ? Main contents: On October 28, 2024, during Blockchain Week in Busan, the Busan Digital Asset Exchange (BDAN) was launched, enabling the trading of digital commodities like gold- and silver-backed certificates. BDAN (Busan Digital Asset Nexus) also established the Asia Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (ADEA) with partners across Asia, enhancing Busan’s role in the global digital asset ecosystem.

Z/Yen Community Newsletter November 2024 is Out Now! ?? ? Z/Yen Community Newsletter October 2024 - Busan Metropolitan City: 'D-Space' at the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC) ? Issuer : Z/Yen Group Limited * It is a think tank in the City of London established in 1994 by Michael Mainelli, the current Mayor of the City of London for 2023/2024. Annually The Global Financial Centres Index(GFCI), The Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) of over 120 cities around the world are announced by Z/Yen ? Publication date : November 3, 2024 ? Main contents: Busan Metropolitan City is offering designated office space, known as 'D-space,' on the top floor of the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC) skyscraper at 40 Munhyeongeumyeong-ro, Nam-gu, Busan. Targeting foreign financial institutions, fintech companies, venture capital firms, and international organizations, this initiative includes an initial rent-free period of three years, with potential extensions of up to 20 years, and exclusive office space awarded following a review process. This move seeks to strengthen Busan’s position as a global hub for marine and derivatives finance while fostering digital finance innovation. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Busan Finance Center's website, with inquiries directed to [email protected].

BFC is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the 11th Busan Global Finance Forum, which took place yesterday at the Lotte Hotel in Busan. Under the theme "Rebuilding Busan: Reviving a Growth Hub through New Finance," this forum brought together leading experts in investment finance, industry leaders, and academics to explore forward-thinking strategies aimed at revitalizing Busan’s financial and economic landscape. ? ??The sessions covered critical topics, including M&A growth strategies, regional financial innovation, and the future of ship finance, providing actionable insights into the future trajectory of finance in Busan. The forum also included an Investment Consultation Session, fostering meaningful discussions between key stakeholders and creating a platform for potential partnerships and investment opportunities. ? ?? We extend our sincere gratitude to all the distinguished speakers, panelists, and participants for contributing to the success of this important event. We look forward to continuing our mission of positioning Busan as a global leader in finance.

BFC is pleased to share Korea’s recent success in maritime finance. On October 1st, Korea Ocean Business Corporation(KOBC, ????????) successfully issued a CHF 100 million (approximately USD 120 million) bond with a 4-year maturity at a 0.95% interest rate in the Swiss financial market. This is KOBC’s first non-USD bond issuance, with a 4-year fixed rate. It has the lowest interest rate for Korean bonds since KDB’s June 2021 Swiss franc bond and the lowest spread among Korean bonds issued this year (55 basis points over the 4-year SARON Mid-Swap, with a 0.985% coupon rate). The funds will be swapped into US dollars and used to strengthen Korea’s maritime industry, including securing eco-friendly fleets, as well as investing in port and logistics infrastructure. With the CHF bond, alongside its USD 600 million bond in April and USD 400 million Formosa bond in July, KOBC has raised approximately USD 1.12 billion this year, diversifying into non-USD markets. We look forward to continued success for Korea in maritime finance.

NinjaTrader Group Establishes First Asian Headquarters in Busan The City of Busan has successfully attracted the first Asian headquarters of NinjaTrader Group, a leading fintech company that provides global derivatives trading platforms through the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The new headquarters, NT Korea, will be based in the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC), marking a significant milestone in Busan's growth as a global financial hub. NT Korea, fully owned by NinjaTrader Group, is currently undergoing the approval process for futures brokerage operations. With approval, NT Korea plans to expand capital and workforce to launch full-scale operations. Additionally, the company aims to introduce global investors to Korea’s derivatives market and collaborate with local digital finance firms to foster innovation and job creation in the region. This development is expected to strengthen Busan’s financial ecosystem, particularly in the fintech and derivatives sectors, further solidifying the city’s position as a leading digital finance hub.

Z/Yen Community Newsletter October 2024 was published!? ? Z/Yen Community Newsletter October 2024 - Busan Maritime Finance Week (BMFW) to be Held ? Issuer : Z/Yen Group Limited* ?* It is a think tank in the City of London established in 1994 by Michael Mainelli, the current Mayor of the City of London for 2023/2024. Annually The Global Financial Centres Index(GFCI), The Global Green Finance Index (GGFI) of over 120 cities around the world are announced by Z/Yen ? Publication date : October 2, 2024 ? Main contents :?Busan Maritime Finance Week (BMFW) will be held from October 29 to October 31, showcasing the future vision of Busan as a global finance hub and providing a platform for discussing the present and future of maritime finance. The event will foster cooperation between financial institutions and maritime companies, contributing to Busan's status as a leading financial center.

Greeting from Busan! On September 23, Mike Wardle, CEO of Z/Yen Group Limited, visited Busan for the 36th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) launching symposium. During his visit, Mr. Wardle met with Mayor Heong-Joon Park of Busan Metropolitan City. He joined Mayor Heong-Joon Park and Myongho Rhee, President of Busan Finance Center, in a meeting to discuss strategies for advancing Busan's growth as a global financial hub. During the discussion, Mr. Wardle provided valuable insights and words of encouragement regarding Busan's financial potential. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Wardle for his visit and ongoing support. We look forward to continued collaboration to enhance Busan’s position as a leading global financial center.

During “GFCI36 Global Financial Centers Index Launching Symposium” in Busan, we were honored to hear from Nicola Watkinson, Managing Director of TheCityUK. She emphasized the critical role of London and the UK as leading international financial centers and outlined TheCityUK’s initiatives in supporting the financial ecosystem. She also highlighted the importance of enhancing gender inclusivity within the finance industry, showcasing projects aimed at fostering diversity and equality. She expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between Busan and London in the financial sector, focusing on building a sustainable and inclusive future. We extend our sincere gratitude to Nicola Watkinson for her inspiring contributions and look forward to continued partnerships in advancing global financial hubs including Busan! TheCityUK