National Data Office honors Hana Bank as top census respondent

The National Data Office said Tuesday it presented Hana Bank with a commendation plaque as the best respondent in the 2025 economic census, recognizing the lender for filing every survey item for all of its branches from its head office.

Ahn Hyung-jun, head of the National Data Office, delivered the plaque at Hana Bank's headquarters in central Seoul. The award was created this year for the first time to thank businesses that cooperated with the census.

The office singled out Hana Bank because a company with many establishments must otherwise be surveyed branch by branch across the country. Hana Bank submitted complete answers for all of its branches in one batch.

"I think the economic census is a national statistical survey needed not only for national policy but also for companies' management policy," Hana Bank chief executive Lee Ho-sung said at the ceremony. "I consider it meaningful to be selected as the best respondent this time, and I will continue to take interest in and actively participate in national statistical surveys to fulfill our social responsibility as a company."

Ahn said the census maps the structure of Korean industry and economic activity and produces the basic data used in national policy and corporate decisions. "I ask for the public's active interest and participation in national statistical surveys," he said.

The National Data Office said it selected 200 businesses nationwide as outstanding respondents, weighing regional representativeness, voluntary participation and cooperation with the survey. Plaques will be delivered to those businesses by November.