They are Shinhan Bank CEO Cho Yong-byoung, Shinhan Card CEO Wi Sung-ho, Shihan Investment Corp. CEO Kang Dae-seok and Choi Bang-gil, former CEO of Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management.

A related panel plans to release the names of a few candidates later this week who will be interviewed, with the aim of picking one successful candidate on Jan. 20.

The relatively fast procedures are due to lengthy preparatory works.

"It's like that (the group) has effectively entered the process of choosing a next chairman shortly after Chairman Han Dong-woo expressed his intent to retire at the end of his term," a group official said. "It won't take a long time."

An internal source said Cho seems to be leading the race, helped by Shinhan Bank's good performance.

Its net profits grew 20.6 percent on-year in the third quarter of last year. Cho's tenure also ends in March.

On the other hand, it's expected to take more time for Woori Bank to find its new CEO.

Market watchers are paying keen attention to who will become Woori's head as a litmus test of the government's influence over the recently privatized lender.

In December, the state-run Korea Deposit Insurance Corp. sold its 29.7 percent stake in the lender to seven institutional investors. The government retains a 21 percent stake in Woori.

Woori plans to receive applications for the CEO job until Wednesday.

Many predict the selection process will finish as early as late January. (Yonhap)