Hana Financial Group pledged change and innovation this year in the face of an interbank merger and fundamental group-wide reform.

The nation’s second-largest banking group held a national rally on Saturday at Jamsil Gymnasium, bringing together over 10,000 executives and employees from its key affiliates ― Hana Bank, Korea Exchange Bank, Hana Daetoo Securities and Hana Card.

“2014 was about communication and cooperation, and this year, we will focus on change and innovation,” said chairman Kim Jung-tae.

He also added that integration is one of the key forms of innovation, hinting at the imminent merger of the group’s two flagship banks, Hana Bank and KEB.

To achieve this goal, Kim suggested “Happy Finance” as the group’s new management slogan.

“Happy finance means a financial system that brings happiness to the employees, customers and society,” he said.

Since last year, the group has been roiled by feuds with the KEB labor union over the earlier-than-expected merger of the banks. The group, however, claimed the merger was crucial for cutting costs and expanding its overseas business.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)