Innovent Biologics Shares Rally on New Eli Lilly Oncology and Immunology Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Kroger Set to Name Former Walmart Executive Greg Foran as Next CEO 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Hims & Hers Halts Compounded Semaglutide Pill After FDA Warning 
Lee Seung-heon Signals Caution on Rate Hikes, Supports Higher Property Taxes to Cool Korea’s Housing Market 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Washington Post Publisher Will Lewis Steps Down After Layoffs 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Coupang, the leading e-commerce company in South Korea, is officially opening its finance business. Through this new unit, it will be able to offer loans to small businesses so they can pay for their purchases in easy installment plans.
As per The Korea Herald, Coupang stated in its filing with the Financial Supervisory Service on Monday that it will start offering loans under its new business division Coupang Financial. This subsidiary was set up in January of this year. The company just started the new financial business after the financial regulators issued approval last Friday.
Business analysts think that Coupang’s foray into the financial business is actually part of its efforts to counteract its losses that have increased over the years. It was mentioned that the company’s operating losses have gone up to $1.4 billion in 2021 and this amount was three times more compared to the previous year. The amount was also a record high for Coupang since it was first launched in 2010.
“Coupang Financial plans to roll out financial products tailored to the needs of small- and medium-sized business owners,” the company said in a statement without revealing more information about the new finance service.
Extending loans to small businesses and credit to their customers is just one way the e-commerce giant could branch out, one industry source said, noting authorities are receptive to business expansion led by technology companies more than ever.
Prior to the start of Coupang’s finance service, it was last month when it was first reported that the company is jumping into this business field. Korea Joongang Daily also reported at that time that the company is bound to be in competition once again with its rival, Naver, which is already offering loans.
Finally, with Coupang and Naver’s new finance service offerings, they have become the first e-commerce marketplace in South Korea to offer such direct loans to customers. With the FSS’ approval, Coupang is expected to offer different loan products. It will provide loans to its sellers based on the loan limits and interest rates that will be approved of after assessments.
