JB Financial targets Central Asia through acquisition of 2 Kyrgyz firms

JB Financial Group said Thursday it plans to enter Kyrgyzstan by having subsidiary JB Woori Capital acquire Korky Credit and Korky Leasing from their parent, Epoche. The purchase covers all shares in both firms and is expected to close before year-end, subject to regulatory approval and registration in Kyrgyzstan. The move would give the group operations in a fifth overseas market. JB Woori Capital plans to focus initially on auto lending and use the firms’ distribution networks to reach customers.

Kyrgyzstan’s population is reportedly about 70 percent under 40, and its economy grew 11.1 percent last year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth will slow to 6.1 percent this year.

JB Financial’s existing overseas businesses include commercial banking in Cambodia, microfinance in Myanmar and securities services in Vietnam.

In September, JB Financial secured Indonesian regulatory clearance to acquire an 85 percent stake in local financing company KB Bukopin Finance.

JB Financial said it aims to diversify revenue over time and reduce its reliance on retail finance.

Published Oct 22, 2026 3:41 pm KST

The headquarters of JB Financial Group in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province / Courtesy of JB Financial Group

JB Financial Group is expanding into Central Asia through the planned purchase of two Kyrgyz financial firms, broadening an overseas business portfolio built largely around Southeast Asia, the company said Thursday.

JB Woori Capital, its consumer finance subsidiary, has agreed to buy Korky Credit and Korky Leasing from their parent, Epoche. The deal covers all shares in both companies and is expected to close before year-end, subject to regulatory approval and registration in Kyrgyzstan.

The acquisitions would give JB Financial a presence in a fifth overseas market. Its existing businesses include commercial banking in Cambodia, microfinance in Myanmar and securities services in Vietnam. The group also secured Indonesian regulatory clearance in September to purchase an 85 percent stake in KB Bukopin Finance, a local financing company.

JB Financial’s interest in Kyrgyzstan is driven primarily by the country’s young population and rapid economic growth. About 70 percent of its population is reportedly under 40. Its economy expanded 11.1 percent last year, according to the International Monetary Fund, which forecasts slower growth of 6.1 percent this year.

Auto lending will be central to JB Woori Capital’s initial expansion as local demand for used vehicles rises. The company plans to combine its expertise in car installment loans and leasing with the two firms’ established distribution networks to attract customers. It will also seek to diversify its revenue sources over time, reducing its reliance on retail finance.

The move reflects JB Financial’s efforts to find earnings opportunities abroad as prospects for expansion in Korea’s financial market remain limited.

“This deal represents a strategic step toward extending our financial network from Southeast Asia into Central Asia,” a JB Financial official said. “We will combine JB Woori Capital’s auto financing expertise with a carefully tailored local approach to establish ourselves in Kyrgyzstan and support sustainable growth.”

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JB金融集团周四宣布，计划通过旗下子公司JB Woori Capital收购Korky Credit和Korky Leasing两家公司（原为Epoche所有），从而进军吉尔吉斯斯坦市场。此次收购涵盖两家公司的全部股份，预计将在年底前完成，但需获得吉尔吉斯斯坦监管机构的批准并在当地完成注册。此举将使该集团的业务拓展至第五个海外市场。JB Woori Capital计划初期专注于汽车贷款业务，并利用两家公司现有的分销网络触达客户。

据国际货币基金组织称，吉尔吉斯斯坦约有 70% 的人口年龄在 40 岁以下，其经济去年增长了 11.1%。

国际货币基金组织预测，吉尔吉斯斯坦今年的经济增速将放缓至6.1%。

JB Financial 现有的海外业务包括柬埔寨的商业银行业务、缅甸的小额信贷业务和越南的证券服务业务。

9 月，JB Financial 获得印尼监管机构的批准，收购当地金融公司 KB Bukopin Finance 85% 的股份。

JB Financial表示，其目标是逐步实现收入多元化，并减少对零售金融的依赖。

发布于2026年10月22日下午3:41（韩国标准时间）

JB金融集团总部位于全罗北道全州市 / 图片由JB金融集团提供

JB金融集团周四表示，该公司正计划通过收购两家吉尔吉斯斯坦金融公司进军中亚市场，从而扩大其主要围绕东南亚建立的海外业务组合。

JB Woori Capital是其消费金融子公司，已同意从其母公司Epoche手中收购Korky Credit和Korky Leasing。该交易涵盖两家公司的全部股份，预计将在年底前完成，但需获得吉尔吉斯斯坦监管机构的批准并在当地注册。

此次收购将使JB Financial进军第五个海外市场。其现有业务包括柬埔寨的商业银行业务、缅甸的小额信贷业务以及越南的证券服务业务。此外，该集团于9月获得印尼监管机构批准，收购当地金融公司KB Bukopin Finance 85%的股份。

JB Financial之所以对吉尔吉斯斯坦感兴趣，主要是因为该国人口年轻且经济增长迅速。据报道，吉尔吉斯斯坦约70%的人口年龄在40岁以下。根据国际货币基金组织的数据，吉尔吉斯斯坦经济去年增长了11.1%，并预测今年增速将放缓至6.1%。

随着本地二手车需求的增长，汽车贷款业务将成为JB Woori Capital初期扩张的核心。该公司计划将其在汽车分期贷款和租赁方面的专业知识与两家公司已有的分销网络相结合，以吸引客户。此外，该公司还将逐步实现收入来源多元化，降低对零售金融的依赖。

此举反映出 JB Financial 正在努力寻找海外盈利机会，因为在韩国金融市场的扩张前景仍然有限。

“这项交易标志着我们在将金融网络从东南亚扩展到中亚方面迈出了战略性一步，”JB Financial的一位官员表示。“我们将结合JB Woori Capital在汽车金融领域的专业知识和精心定制的本地化方案，在吉尔吉斯斯坦站稳脚跟，并支持当地的可持续发展。”

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