Korea Investment Holdings

What Korea Investment Holdings does

Korea Investment Holdings is Korea's first and only investment bank-centered non-bank financial holding company, established in January 2003 (as Dongwon Finance) and rebranded under its current name in 2005 after acquiring Korea Investment & Securities from the KDIC. The group operates through ten wholly-owned subsidiaries spanning the full financial services value chain: Korea Investment & Securities (brokerage, investment banking, and digital trading via the BanKIS online platform launched in 2006 and the MiniStock mobile app launched in 2020); Korea Investment Management and Korea Investment Value Asset Management (collective investments, ETFs under the KINDEX/ACE brand, and institutional asset management); Korea Investment Capital and Korea Investment Savings Bank (corporate and retail lending); Korea Investment Partners and Korea Investment Private Equity (venture capital and PE, including energy infrastructure); Korea Investment Real Estate Trust; Korea Investment Accelerator (startup support); Korea Investment Real Asset Management (alternatives); and KIARA Advisors Pte. Ltd. in Singapore (Korea's first offshore hedge fund manager, 2008). The group is listed on KOSPI under ticker 071050 and reported consolidated net income of 2.020 trillion won against consolidated equity of 12.1 trillion won in 2025, with the Korea Investment & Securities subsidiary alone posting record net profit of 2.01 trillion won (~$1.4B) — the first Korean securities firm to surpass the 2 trillion won threshold.

The company serves four primary customer segments: retail investors (served through BanKIS, MiniStock, and branches, with over 50 trillion won in individual customer financial product balance); high-net-worth individuals (served through the GWM wealth management service with dedicated relationship managers); corporate and institutional clients (served through investment banking, IPO underwriting, M&A advisory, and the newly authorized IMA corporate lending capability); and Korean investors seeking global exposure (served through partnerships with Man Group, Carlyle Group, and Stifel Financial, plus the MiniStock app for overseas equities). Revenue streams are diversified across transaction-based brokerage commissions (up 39.6% YoY in 2025), investment banking fees (up 14.9% YoY), subscription/recurring asset management and wealth management fees, and corporate lending interest. Operations span 15 offices across 7 countries — Singapore (3), US (4), UK (1), Hong Kong (1), China (6), Vietnam (2), and Indonesia (2) — with a global distribution network that is the largest among Korean securities firms.

The business model combines capital-light fee businesses (brokerage, IB, asset management) with capital-intensive lending (Korea Investment Capital, Korea Investment Savings Bank) and principal investment (VC/PE via Korea Investment Partners and Private Equity). Korea Investment & Securities was the first Korean firm to exceed 50 trillion won in individual client product balance (June 2023) and raised an additional 900 billion won through a 2025 rights issue to fund growth. The 2025 MSCI ESG rating upgrade to AA (from B in 2021) and investment-grade AA-/A1 credit ratings from all three Korean rating agencies support the group's institutional access. The holding company is pursuing an insurer acquisition (Lotte Non-Life Insurance LOI, Yebyeol Insurance bid) targeted for completion in 2026 to add a fourth revenue pillar and reduce dependence on capital markets activity.

Name

Korea Investment Holdings

Legal name

Korea Investment Holdings Co., Ltd.

Website

https://koreaholdings.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Korea Investment Holdings is Korea's first and only investment bank-centered non-bank financial holding company, operating 10+ subsidiaries spanning securities, asset management, wealth management, corporate lending, venture capital, private equity, and real estate finance across 15 offices in 7 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Banking and Securities

NAICS

Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (52394), Open-End Investment Funds (52591)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Equity Capital Advisory (Private Equity Placements, Growth Capital) (BPAHAOAE), Multi-Sector / Generalist Growth Equity (FSANACAO)

Keywords

• Securities brokerage services
• Investment banking advisory
• Asset management funds
• Venture capital private equity
• Wealth management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Brokerage Commissions: Brokerage commissions from securities trading through BanKIS online platform and MiniStock mobile app. Brokerage commissions grew 39.6% year-on-year in 2025, driven by surge in trading activity. Average daily trading value reached 67 trillion won in Q1 2026, up 258.3% year-on-year.
2. Wealth Management: Fee-based wealth management services (GWM) targeting high-net-worth individuals, providing advisory and discretionary investment management.
3. Investment Banking Revenue: Revenue from IPO underwriting, M&A advisory, and other investment banking services. Investment banking revenue grew 14.9% year-on-year in 2025. The company is also pursuing insurance sector acquisitions to diversify the group business structure.
4. Insurance Sector Expansion: Korea Investment Holdings is pursuing acquisition of an insurer to diversify its group business structure and aims to complete the purchase within 2026. The company submitted a letter of intent for Lotte Non-Life Insurance (KOSPI-listed, market cap ~560 billion won) and is participating in the bidding for Yebyeol Insurance.
5. Asset Management Fees: Fees from managing mutual funds, hedge funds (KIARA Asia Pacific Hedge Fund), ETFs (KINDEX/KDEX brand), and private equity/venture capital funds through subsidiaries Korea Investment Management, Korea Investment Value Asset Management, Korea Investment Partners, Korea Investment Private Equity, and Korea Investment Real Asset Management.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Korea Investment Holdings is Korea's only investment bank-centered non-bank financial holding company, operating through wholly-owned subsidiaries that deliver securities brokerage (Korea Investment & Securities), investment banking, asset management (Korea Investment Management, Korea Investment Value Asset Management, Korea Investment Real Asset Management, KIARA Advisors), wealth management (GWM), corporate and retail lending (Korea Investment Capital, Korea Investment Savings Bank), venture capital and private equity (Korea Investment Partners, Korea Investment Private Equity), real estate trust services (Korea Investment Real Estate Trust), and startup acceleration (Korea Investment Accelerator). The group distributes services through the BanKIS online trading platform, the MiniStock mobile app, direct sales forces, and a global network of 15 offices in 7 countries.

Product overview

Korea Investment Holdings is Korea's first non-bank financial holding company (established January 2003), organized as an investment banking-centered financial group. The company operates through multiple subsidiaries offering complementary financial services: Korea Investment & Securities (brokerage, investment banking, digital trading via BanKIS/MiniStock) serves as the core securities business; Korea Investment Management and Korea Investment Value Asset Management provide asset management; Korea Investment Capital and Korea Investment Savings Bank offer corporate and retail lending; Korea Investment Partners and Korea Investment Private Equity manage venture capital and PE funds; Korea Investment Real Estate Trust handles real estate finance; Korea Investment Accelerator supports startups; and KIARA Advisors operates offshore hedge funds. Recent developments include the Investment Management Account (IMA) authorization in 2025 enabling corporate lending expansion. The group emphasizes digital innovation through AI-driven transformation and customer-centric platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Korea Investment & Securities (한국투자증권) The leading financial investment company in Korea offering diversified financial services including brokerage, investment banking, wealth management, and digital trading platforms to retail, corporate, and institutional clients.
• Korea Investment Management (한국투자신탁운용) Korea's first investment trust company and representative comprehensive asset management firm offering collective investments, ETF products (branded as KINDEX/ACE), and institutional asset management.
• Korea Investment Value Asset Management (한국투자밸류자산운용) Korea's first value investing specialist asset management firm focusing on fundamental bottom-up stock selection and long-term value creation.
• Korea Investment Savings Bank (한국투자저축은행) Savings bank offering accessible financial services to local residents, focusing on fundamental banking services and financial inclusion.
• Korea Investment Capital (한국투자캐피탈) Corporate finance specialized credit company providing lending and financial solutions to businesses, Korea's first corporate lending specialized capital company.
• Korea Investment Real Estate Trust (한국투자부동산신탁) Real estate trust company combining financial services with ICT and fintech, offering innovative real estate-backed financial products.
• Korea Investment Partners (한국투자파트너스) Leading venture capital and private equity fund management firm in Korea with over 30 years of experience, evolving into Asia's top VC/PE firm.
• Korea Investment Private Equity (한국투자프라이빗에쿼티) Independent private equity house specializing in energy infrastructure and domestic PE investments, gaining prominence in the Korean private equity industry.
• Korea Investment Accelerator (한국투자액셀러레이터) Startup accelerator supporting early-stage companies with initial investments and management assistance as part of the group's ESG initiatives.
• Korea Investment Real Asset Management (한국투자리얼에셋운용) Alternative investment management company specializing in real assets and collective investments, private equity investment, and discretionary investment services.
• KIARA Advisors Pte. Ltd. Korea's first offshore hedge fund manager established in Singapore in 2008, managing the KIARA Asia Pacific Hedge Fund (launched July 17, 2014) with long/short investment strategies targeting absolute returns.
• BanKIS Online Stock Trading Platform Online securities trading platform providing real-time trading, market data, and portfolio management for retail and institutional investors, operated by Korea Investment & Securities.
• MiniStock (미니스탁) Mobile App Mobile overseas stock trading application providing Korean retail investors access to international equity markets, with 1 million cumulative downloads.
• GWM (Global Wealth Management) Service Asset management service targeting high-net-worth individuals, providing customized wealth planning and investment advisory through dedicated relationship managers.
• Investment Management Account (IMA) Service Comprehensive investment account service authorized in 2025, enabling corporate lending and cross-border transaction services for corporate clients.
• MyData Service Personal financial data management service authorized in 2021, allowing customers to aggregate and manage their financial information across institutions.
• KIARA Asia Pacific Hedge Fund Flagship offshore hedge fund of KIARA Advisors with long/short investment strategies targeting absolute returns across the Asia Pacific region. NAV reached 2,586 billion won by end of 2020.
• KIH Advisors Japan Inc. Financial advisory subsidiary established in 2025 to provide advisory services to clients in the Japanese market.

Quantifiable outcome

• Korea Investment & Securities became the first domestic securities firm in South Korea to surpass 2 trillion won in annual net profit (2.01 trillion won) in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered key and minor.

• Carlyle GroupkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Korea Investment Securities signed a strategic alliance with Carlyle Group, a global investment firm, in October 2024. The partnership is aimed at providing enhanced investment opportunities and leveraging Carlyle's global investment capabilities.
• Man GroupkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Korea Investment & Securities Co. (KIS) and Man Group are planning to launch their second joint investment product, an Asia-focused equity fund, following their previous launch of a global credit fund in 2024. The firms aim to enhance Korean investors' access to global assets and expand their portfolio options.
• Stifel Financial Corp.keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2022Korea Investment Securities and US-based Stifel Financial established a joint venture 'SF Credit Partners, LLC' in July 2022, combining Stifel Financial's credit investment expertise with Korea Investment Securities' Asian market presence for credit investment operations in the United States.
• Atlas Asset Management (formerly K-Atlas Advisors)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2008KIARA Advisors (originally K-Atlas Advisors) was established in February 2008 as a joint venture between Korea Investment Holdings and Atlas Asset Management (US hedge fund). Korea Investment Holdings acquired 100% ownership in 2010, renaming it from K-Atlas Advisors to KIARA Advisors.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mirae Asset Financial Group: One of Korea's largest financial holding companies with overlapping securities, asset management, and VC/PE franchises. Directly comparable as Korea's other major full-service, investment-banking-centered financial group competing for institutional, retail, and global capital.
• Samsung Securities: Top-tier Korean securities firm providing brokerage, IB, and wealth management through affiliated Samsung group distribution. Direct peer in KOSPI brokerage, IB underwriting, and GWM-style private banking services to Korean retail and institutional investors.
• NH Investment & Securities: One of Korea's largest securities firms with full-service brokerage, IB, and proprietary trading. Comparable on BanKIS-style online trading, institutional brokerage, and IB underwriting capabilities.
• Kiwoom Securities: Korea's leading online brokerage (one of the 'big 5' by earnings). Direct comparable in retail online securities, mobile trading, and discount brokerage; competes head-to-head with Korea Investment's BanKIS/MiniStock platforms.
• Meritz Securities: Major Korean securities firm growing rapidly in brokerage and IB. Comparable in domestic trading volume share, IB league tables, and wealth management for retail/affluent clients.
• Daishin Securities: Mid-large Korean securities firm with overlapping brokerage, IB, and wealth services. Direct competitor in KOSPI trading, IPO underwriting, and HNWI wealth management.

Broad incumbents

• Shinhan Financial Group: Largest Korean financial holding group spanning banking, securities, asset management, and insurance. Operates competing brokerage, wealth, and asset management franchises with broader banking distribution; broader incumbent rather than direct IB-centered competitor.
• Hana Financial Group: Korean bank-led financial holding group with capital markets and asset management subsidiaries. Comparable in capital markets, AM and PE; broader commercial bank-anchored model than Korea Investment's IB-centered model.

Regional players

• Stifel Financial Corp. US mid-market investment bank and Korea Investment's JV partner in SF Credit Partners (2022). Comparable as a US-focused full-service securities firm with credit investment capabilities; partner rather than direct competitor but operates overlapping credit/private markets franchise.

Others

• Man Group: UK-listed global alternative investment manager and Korea Investment's strategic product partner (joint Asia equity fund, global credit fund). Adjacent industry overlap in hedge funds/alternatives via KIARA Advisors; comparable in liquid alternatives and Asia equity product origination.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments8 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Korea Investment Holdings