KakaoBank users can now directly trade domestic and international stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) without leaving the banking app. Kakao Pay Securities announced on the 8th that it launched a new “Stock Home” within the investment tab of the KakaoBank app and officially began stock trading services on the 4th.

With this partnership, the stock trading functionality previously available only in the securities tab of the Kakao Pay app has now been extended to the KakaoBank app. The entire process—from stock information lookup to buy and sell order placement—is completed within the KakaoBank app without switching to a separate application. Users can access the service immediately by linking their Kakao Pay Securities account under their own name to their KakaoBank account. Those without a securities account can open both a bank account and a securities account sequentially within the KakaoBank app.

The system is designed to simplify the process of depositing funds needed for stock purchases and withdrawing proceeds from sales through the KakaoBank account. Charting, quote, and watchlist features have been carried over, as have stock-specific community features where investors can exchange views with one another. The “Stock Savings” feature, which automatically purchases selected stocks on a set schedule, is also available in the KakaoBank app.

The screen layout also varies based on investment experience. The company explained that it provides different investment home screens for first-time stock investors and existing investors to enhance usability.

Expanding Synergies Among Kakao Financial Affiliates

This service launch is a strategic move to maximize synergies among Kakao’s financial affiliates. KakaoBank introduced a dedicated investment tab within its app on April 13, consolidating investment products and assets for management in one place. With the addition of “Stock Home” to the investment tab—which was originally designed to allow users to view money market funds (MMFs), funds, affiliated brokerage financial products, and even funds held in accounts at other financial institutions—the asset and product viewing functionality has now been extended to actual stock trading.

From Kakao Pay Securities’ perspective, the move secures the vast user base of South Korea’s leading internet-only bank as a new customer acquisition channel. As of the end of June, KakaoBank reported 27.63 million customers, 20.32 million monthly active users (MAU) in the second quarter, and 15.04 million weekly active users (WAU).

Kakao Pay Securities focused on replicating the investment environment and user experience accumulated in the Kakao Pay app within the KakaoBank app. The goal is to allow users to continue investing within familiar screens and features even when the channel changes.

Shin Ho-chul, CEO of Kakao Pay Securities, said, “Enabling investment to begin naturally in a familiar space where everyday financial life takes place is the direction Kakao Pay Securities has consistently pursued.”

Targeting Beginner Investors with ’26-Week ETF Savings’

Alongside the launch of Stock Home, the company is also introducing the “26-Week ETF Savings” service, which combines the concept of KakaoBank’s flagship “26-Week Installment Savings” product with Kakao Pay Securities’ systematic investment offerings. The structure allows users to make regular ETF purchases with a set amount each week, enabling small-amount diversified investing that even customers unfamiliar with investing can start without burden.

Kakao Pay Securities plans to continue hosting events such as “Random Stock Draw” targeting KakaoBank users to expand customer touchpoints. The company intends to progressively enhance the service while pursuing synergy expansion through integration among Kakao financial services.

KakaoBank stated, “By extending the investment services offered in the investment tab to include stocks, we have enabled customers to manage their assets more conveniently,” adding, “We will continue to introduce services that make investing—which can feel difficult and complex—easy and convenient to experience.”

Meanwhile, KakaoBank also carried out a full-scale revamp of its mobile app home screen on the 7th, the previous day. The update allows users to view their accounts grouped by type and adds key financial information to the home screen—including card spending amounts, credit score changes, and investment returns—that previously had to be checked in separate tabs. A customizable editing feature is also provided, allowing customers to display only the accounts and services they want on the home screen.

This home screen revamp and the addition of Stock Home are seen as part of KakaoBank’s evolution from a platform focused on simple transfers and account management into a comprehensive wealth management channel. Clicks generated on KakaoBank’s home screen average 10 million per day, with over 90% historically coming from account management and transfers. With the addition of stock trading functionality, user engagement time and the scope of financial service usage are expected to expand further.