Korea First Bank

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Why did the Korean government choose NewBridge Capital over Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corporation, Limited? (Must be 150 words) Despite the Chinese banking system requiring improvement across a number of fronts- risk management, credit approval, product development and technology – the government has tightly controlled ownership of Chinese banks by foreign entities. In December 1998, The Korean Government sold its 51 per cent stake in Korea First Bank to Newbridge Capital of the United States for 500 billion won just over a year ago for those purposes, despite criticism that the price tag was too low. It was the first time that a controlling stake in a Korean bank was sold to a foreign investor. Mr. Horie, president of KFB, had faced criticism that he placed too much emphasis on the bank's short-term profits and not on the stability of the overall financial markets, which eventually will help the bank. Korea First Bank introduced many unconventional services and products such as Mortgage loans with maturities of more than 30 years were introduced in a country where longest-term households loan usually mature within 10 years. A more surprising measure by the bank was to charge customers with low-amount deposit accounts - a move designed to favor heavy depositors. Korea First Bank's rebellious action angered government officials who have long been pampered by docile domestic bank executives. Some officials even indicated retaliatory measures against what they called the bank's "disrespect for public interests". And that might have been some of the reasons why the Government chose Newbridge as the best option for acquiring 51% of the bank. Was this a good deal for NewBridge Capital? For the Korean government? For Korea First Bank (KFB)? Evaluate the timing of the sale? Under this agreement between Newbridge

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