“When I started keeping a budget book, I realized that even KRW 1,000 or 2,000 adds up to a big amount.”
“Mr. A,” a 20-year-old who moved to Seoul with dreams of becoming a video editor, found money management the most daunting part of living alone. He had countless questions—whether savings deposits or installment savings were better, whether it was okay to take out a loan, and whether investing in stocks or cryptocurrency was safe. But he had no one to ask. Then, a financial mentor and guardian appeared: Hyundai Capital’s support program for youth preparing for independence, “Value Walk.”

Hyundai Capital’s support program for youth, “Value Walk,” is steadily establishing itself as a reliable financial partner for young people. The term “youth preparing for independence” refers to those who, upon turning 18, must begin life on their own after leaving institutional care. Since its launch last year, Value Walk has supported not only the economic but also the psychological independence of young people. This year, through an agreement with ChildFund Korea, the program has expanded its support nationwide.

In addition, the support structure was further strengthened by systematizing it into three stages—recovery, independence, and growth. In particular, recognizing that youths preparing for independence are especially vulnerable to financial fraud such as unreturned lease deposits, unpaid wages, identity theft, and informal money lending, Hyundai Capital introduced a new Recovery Support Package to provide practical assistance. This package offers tailored one-on-one legal counseling, customized recovery plans, and psychological support through expert consultations—safeguarding young people’s first steps as they work to stand on their own two feet again.

Value Walk goes beyond simple assistance to support the entire journey—from recovery to independence to growth. In particular, its backing of the Didim Seed Savings Account—a program that combines voluntary employee participation with government matching—has become a reliable nest egg for young people. Going forward, Hyundai Capital plans to expand partnerships with group affiliates and local communities, while also promoting employee involvement, so that more youths preparing for independence can achieve healthy self-reliance. In particular, employee sponsorship for the Didim Seed Savings Account increased by approximately 67% compared to last year. As interest and participation continue to spread rapidly among employees, the foundation for supporting young people is becoming even stronger.
Additionally, Hyundai Capital is expanding the values of self-reliance embodied in the Value Walk program across generations. A prime example is the “Senior Digital Intern Program,” first launched in 2023. The program selects senior interns from among customers aged 65 and older and provides hands-on training at headquarters on financial basics, voice phishing prevention, hospital appointment booking, location sharing, and even how to use ChatGPT. After completing the training, the interns visit local senior welfare centers, where they serve as assistant instructors, helping their peers navigate digital finance. This year marks the program’s second run.

Older adults are often considered a digitally vulnerable group, easily exposed to financial fraud and at risk of falling behind in today’s non-face-to-face financial environment. This program is especially meaningful because it goes beyond simply delivering education—it creates a virtuous cycle within the same generation, where seniors who receive training go on to help their peers. The program enables older adults to independently use everyday financial services such as mobile banking, simple payment systems, and kiosks, making a tangible contribution toward closing the digital financial gap among seniors. Hyundai Capital explained that, just as it supports young adults preparing for independence, helping older customers use financial services on their own represents the broader social expansion of the Value Walk program.

“Mr. A,” who once felt overwhelmed by financial matters after beginning life on his own, started keeping a budget through Value Walk’s one-on-one customized financial counseling. By building the habit of trimming small expenses, he is nurturing hope for genuine independence. What has steadily accumulated for him is not just money, but an “asset of hope”—the belief that he can stand on his own. And standing by his side, safeguarding that first step, is Hyundai Capital.