Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Toyota’s Surprise CEO Change Signals Strategic Shift Amid Global Auto Turmoil 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
SoftBank Shares Slide After Arm Earnings Miss Fuels Tech Stock Sell-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
Global PC Makers Eye Chinese Memory Chip Suppliers Amid Ongoing Supply Crunch 
KB Kookmin Bank and Emart 24 have joined forces to launch a hybrid convenience store with a commercial bank. The companies revealed on Monday, May 23, that they have opened a shop in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
As per The Korea Times, the KB Kookmin Bank and Emart 24 convenience store measure 100 square meters, and one-third of the space is occupied by the former's digital banking facility. The rest of the floor space is being used as a normal convenience store.
In addition, the hybrid store has a window where customers can consult with bankers through an exclusive online interaction. People can inquire about various financial services, including how to open savings accounts, how to apply for credit loans, and more. This banking window is only open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KB Kookmin Bank also installed its smart teller machine or STM in the Emart 24 convenience store. This will allow customers to withdraw or deposit money and checks every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On weekends, the STM only operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
After their banking transactions, customers can do some grocery shopping to buy their daily necessities inside the same place. Emart 24 and KB Kookmin Bank were strategically blended to offer the best service and convenience to customers. This setup is also expected to boost the companies' revenues.
"Through the hybrid store was built on a partnership with the convenience store chain, we expect to deliver KB Kookmin's innovative financial services to customers," a KB Kookmin Bank official said in a statement. "The bank plans to extend its partnerships with various sectors, aiming to come up with optimized banking business models.
An official from Emart 24 further stated that "the hybrid service combining retail and finance sectors is now trending, with development of the technology and evolution of life patterns." He added that the collaboration with KB Kookmin enhances their synergy by offering innovative services while also meeting the needs of the customers.
Meanwhile, customers do not have to visit the bank as it was reported that KB's facility at Emart 24 can also issue a bankbook and check cards. This will surely save time, and customers can easily do two chores at the same time without leaving the place.
