Korea Investment & Securities

What Korea Investment & Securities does

Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. (한국투자증권) is a major South Korean securities brokerage firm headquartered in Seoul, established in 2005 as a subsidiary of Korea Investment Holdings. The company delivers a balanced mix of brokerage, proprietary trading, investment banking, and wealth management services across retail, institutional, and high-net-worth client segments. As of end-2024, the firm employed 2,978 staff, making it the third-largest employer among Korean brokerages. Revenue is diversified across trading (39.1% of Q1 2026 operating profit), brokerage (33.3%), investment banking (18.6%), and wealth management (9%), with retail client financial product balances reaching 94.5 trillion won.

The firm's core distribution is built around its mobile trading platform (MTS), supplemented by a declining network of physical branches and strategic distribution partnerships. It has launched Korea's first card platform-based note investment service via Shinhan SOL Pay and operates Investment Management Account (IMA) No. 1, the first product under Korea's new IMA regulatory framework. Strategic partnerships with JPMorgan Asset Management and Man Group provide Korean retail investors access to global investment products, while a 20% stake in cryptocurrency exchange Coinone positions the firm at the intersection of traditional and digital finance. The company also participates actively in Korean IPO underwriting mandates (HD Hyundai Robotics, Dinotisia, IVWORKS, CareDoc) and infrastructure investment (Hyundai Motor sub-REIT).

In 2025, Korea Investment & Securities became the first domestic securities firm to surpass 2 trillion won in annual net profit, with operating profit of 2.34 trillion won growing 76.3% year-on-year. Q1 2026 operating profit of 959.9 billion won grew 85% year-on-year. Brokerage commissions rose 39.6% in 2025, and investment banking revenue grew 14.9%. The combination of record financial performance, multiple new product launches, regulatory designation as a first-mover IMA operator, and expansion into digital assets and Chinese market partnerships via Guotai Haitong MOU indicates broad-based offensive momentum.

Name

Korea Investment & Securities

Legal name

Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd. (한국투자증권)

Website

https://securities.koreainvestment.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Securities Brokerage and Investment Banking

NAICS

Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (52315), Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (523150), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Investment Advice (6282), Asset-Backed Securities (6189)

akta.pro primary industry

Equity Capital Markets Advisory (Equity Issuance Strategy & Readiness) (FSACAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Structured Finance & Securitization Placement (ABS/MBS/CLO) (FSAEALAK), Equity Capital Advisory (Private Equity Placements, Growth Capital) (BPAHAOAE)

Keywords

• Securities brokerage
• Investment banking
• Wealth management
• Asset management
• Retail brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

Yongdungpo

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Brokerage Commissions: Revenue from brokerage operations including commissions from retail and institutional trading. Brokerage commissions grew 39.6% year-on-year in 2025.
2. Trading Revenue: Proprietary trading activities generating 39.1% of first-quarter 2026 operating profit. Balanced performance across trading operations.
3. Wealth Management: Retail client financial product balances expanded to 94.5 trillion won. Wealth management contributed 9% of first-quarter 2026 operating profit.
4. Investment Banking: Investment banking revenue including IPO underwriting, M&A advisory, and corporate finance services. Revenue grew 14.9% in 2025.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Korea Investment & Securities is a South Korean securities firm providing brokerage, trading, wealth management, and investment banking services to retail, institutional, and high-net-worth clients. It operates mobile trading platforms for domestic and international equities, distributes global investment products through partnerships with JPMorgan Asset Management and Man Group, and is expanding into digital assets and tokenized securities following its stake acquisition in Coinone.

Product overview

Korea Investment & Securities is a South Korean securities firm offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and services. The company's core offerings include investment trusts (such as the Korea Investment JP Morgan U.S. Tech Securities Investment Trust), wealth management services, investment management accounts (IMA No. 1), and retirement pension services. The firm has expanded into digital asset services through its ~20% stake in cryptocurrency exchange Coinone, and has launched innovative digital platforms like Korea's first card platform-based note investment service via Shinhan SOL Pay. The company generates balanced revenue across trading, brokerage, investment banking, and wealth management divisions, with retail client financial product balances exceeding 94.5 trillion won.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Korea Investment JP Morgan U.S. Tech Securities Investment Trust A feeder fund launched in partnership with JP Morgan Asset Management that invests over 60% of assets in the Luxembourg-based JP Morgan American Technology Fund to target U.S. technology companies benefiting from AI computing infrastructure expansion. Available to domestic retail investors via the KIS mobile trading platform.
• IMA No. 1 (Investment Management Account) Korea's first comprehensive Investment Management Account product under the FSC-designated IMA system; a two-year closed-end structure with a 4% benchmark yield and minimum subscription of 1 million won, channeling client funds to small/midsize companies and venture capital.
• Retail Wealth Management Services Comprehensive wealth management offering for retail clients including financial products, investment advisory, and portfolio management; retail client financial product balances expanded to 94.5 trillion won.
• Card Platform Note Investment Service Korea's first card platform-based note investment service launched with Shinhan Card via the Shinhan SOL Pay app; offers short-term notes with returns of 3.3% to 3.5%, expanding financial product accessibility through digital channels.
• Retirement Pension Services Retirement pension services including pension seminars, subscriber consultations, and customized pension management systems for corporate employees and labor union members, including Ulsan Petrochemical Complex workers.
• Investment Banking Services Investment banking services including IPO underwriting, M&A advisory, corporate finance, and block trade execution for corporate and institutional clients; revenue grew 14.9% in 2025 and contributed 18.6% of Q1 2026 operating profit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% year-on-year increase in first-quarter 2026 operating profit to 959.9 billion won
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoinonecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Korea Investment & Securities acquired approximately 20% stake in cryptocurrency exchange Coinone for 160 billion won ($106 million), becoming joint third-largest shareholder alongside OKX Ventures. The partnership aims to expand into tokenized securities, stablecoins, and blockchain-based financial services as South Korea develops its digital asset regulatory framework. Coinone CEO described the investment as a strategic alliance combining Coinone's security record and compliance capabilities with KIS's blockchain expertise and capital markets experience.
• Shinhan CardcoreTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026Launched Korea's first card platform-based note investment service via Shinhan SOL Pay app. Initial offering of 150 billion won ($110 million) worth of short-term notes with returns of 3.3% to 3.5%. Initiative aims to expand financial product accessibility through digital platforms and partnerships.
• Hyundai MotorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Korea Investment & Securities holds 20% stake in new sub-REIT established with Hyundai Motor (30%) and Coramco Life Infrastructure REIT (50%). Sub-REIT acquiring 11 business locations owned by Hyundai Motor for approximately 580 billion won. REIT expects to secure dividend yield of around 7% and IRR in mid-8% range.
• JPMorgan Asset ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026Strategic MOU signed to provide differentiated global investment solutions and expand market insights for domestic retail investors. First product 'JP Morgan Global High Yield Fund' attracted approximately 81.2 billion won in retail funds. Subsequent Korea Investment JPMorgan US Tech Fund attracted $198 million in assets in one week. Partnership covers domestic sales of JPMAM global products, exclusive market insights via mobile trading, and cooperation on expanding KIS's local subsidiary business.
• Guotai Haitong Securities (China)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 March 2026MOU signed to enhance collaboration in research, retail brokerage, and investment banking. Agreement aims to strengthen positions in Asia's capital markets through joint initiatives and expanded access to Chinese and Hong Kong markets.
• Ulsan Petrochemical Complex Labor Union CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 December 2025MOU signed to support workers' retirement planning. Company provides retirement pension seminars, subscriber consultations, and develops customized pension management system tailored to workers' investment preferences and retirement preparedness. Aims to increase workers' interest in retirement pensions and help them manage assets from a long-term perspective.
• Man GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2025Planning to launch second joint investment product, an Asia-focused equity fund, following their previous launch of a global credit fund in 2024. Partnership aims to enhance Korean investors' access to global assets and expand portfolio options.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Mirae Asset Securities: Mirae Asset Securities is Korea's largest brokerage and KIS's closest domestic competitor. It was co-designated with KIS as Korea's first IMA operator, has a comparable retail brokerage franchise, and competes head-to-head in trading, IB, and wealth management.
• NH Investment & Securities: NH Investment & Securities is one of Korea's top-tier brokerages, offering similar full-service capabilities across brokerage, trading, IB, and wealth management. It competes directly with KIS for retail AUM, IPO mandates, and institutional flow.
• Samsung Securities: Samsung Securities is a major Korean securities firm with retail brokerage, proprietary trading, and investment banking businesses. It is a direct competitor for IPO underwriting, equity research coverage, and high-net-worth wealth management.
• KB Securities: KB Securities is a leading Korean broker-dealer with full-service capabilities in brokerage, trading, and investment banking. It competes with KIS for IPO mandates (e.g., HD Hyundai Robotics co-managed with KIS and UBS) and for retail AUM via the KB Financial Group distribution network.
• Shinhan Securities: Shinhan Securities is a top-five Korean brokerage affiliated with Shinhan Financial Group, providing brokerage, IB, and wealth services. It co-underwrote Dinotisia's IPO with KIS and competes for the same retail and corporate client base.
• Hana Financial Investment: Hana Financial Investment is a Korean broker-dealer offering retail brokerage, institutional trading, and investment banking. It is comparable in scale and product mix to KIS, competing across all major revenue lines within the domestic Korean market.
• Daishin Securities: Daishin Securities is a mid-to-large Korean brokerage with retail brokerage, proprietary trading, and IB activities. It is a direct peer in the Korean capital markets, competing for retail flow, IPO mandates, and research distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a global bulge-bracket investment bank with a Korean operations footprint. While much larger and more diversified, it competes with KIS on cross-border IPO mandates, M&A advisory, and institutional execution, particularly for deals requiring global distribution.
• Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley is a global investment bank and wealth manager with significant Asia-Pacific operations. It is comparable to KIS in equity capital markets execution and institutional wealth, though it operates at much greater scale across multiple asset classes and geographies.

Regional players

• Nomura Holdings: Nomura is Japan's largest investment bank with a deep Asian equities, IB, and wealth management franchise. It is comparable to KIS as a regional Asian securities franchise competing for Korean cross-border mandates and serving institutional clients with regional equity research and execution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments90 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Korea Investment & Securities