KakaoBank and Shinhan Card Launch Chakbut Credit Card With Up to KRW 600,000 in Annual Benefits

August 27, 2026 • FinTech News

KakaoBank and Shinhan Card Introduce Chakbut Credit Card

KakaoBank and Shinhan Card have introduced the Chakbut credit card, a co-branded credit card designed to offer rewards on everyday online and offline spending.

According to KakaoBank’s product information, the card offers up to KRW 600,000 in annual benefits when customers meet the required previous-month spending threshold. The product carries an annual fee of KRW 20,000 for domestic use and KRW 23,000 for the international Mastercard version.

The launch highlights KakaoBank’s continued expansion of its financial product ecosystem through partnerships with established financial institutions.

Up to KRW 600,000 in Annual Benefits

The Chakbut card is positioned around everyday spending, with KakaoBank promoting benefits of up to KRW 600,000 per year.

Customers need to meet a previous-month spending requirement of at least KRW 500,000 to qualify for the advertised benefits.

The actual benefit available to an individual cardholder depends on the applicable benefit categories, spending and monthly discount limits.

KakaoBank says eligible discounts are applied as billing discounts, meaning the discount amount is deducted from the card bill rather than being taken off the purchase price immediately.

Once the monthly discount limit has been reached, additional transactions may no longer receive the discount.

Special Launch Promotions

The card is also being promoted through limited-time events.

Under the first promotion, eligible customers can receive reimbursement of card payments of up to KRW 500,000. The promotion runs from August 19 through October 31, 2026, according to the product information supplied by KakaoBank.

A separate usage promotion offers customers the opportunity to receive an additional KRW 200,000 after using the card. That event runs from August 19 through August 31, 2026.

These promotional benefits are separate from the card’s standard rewards structure and are subject to their respective eligibility and participation requirements.

Card Benefits Target Everyday Spending

The KakaoBank Chakbut credit card is designed around frequent online and offline purchases.

The product’s value proposition is straightforward: customers who regularly meet the monthly spending requirement can receive discounts across eligible spending categories, potentially reducing the effective cost of everyday purchases.

For consumers, the combination of recurring card benefits and limited-time launch promotions may make the product particularly relevant to customers who already use KakaoBank’s banking services.

Annual Fees and Eligibility

The card has two annual-fee options:

Card type	Annual fee
Domestic	KRW 20,000
International Mastercard	KRW 23,000

As with other credit card products, approval is not guaranteed. KakaoBank notes that applications may be restricted depending on factors including an applicant’s credit score and delinquency history.

Customers should also review the product terms, fee structure, and benefit conditions before applying.

KakaoBank Is the Sales Partner, Not the Card Issuer

An important detail is that the Chakbut card is not issued directly by KakaoBank.

KakaoBank operates as a financial product sales agent and intermediary under its partnership agreement with Shinhan Card. Shinhan Card is the direct financial product provider and holds authority to enter into the credit card contract.

This distinction matters because customers may associate the product primarily with KakaoBank while the underlying credit card agreement is with Shinhan Card.

KakaoBank also states that it is not an exclusive partner of Shinhan Card.

Consumer Protection and Credit Considerations

The product information includes several consumer protection notices.

Customers are entitled under South Korea’s Financial Consumer Protection Act to receive explanations about financial products and services before entering into a transaction.

The product also carries standard warnings around credit card usage. Excessive card spending relative to repayment capacity can affect an individual’s credit score, while a decline in credit score can have consequences for other financial transactions.

Customers are responsible for repaying card balances and associated fees by the designated payment date.

KakaoBank and Shinhan Card also provide channels for complaints and dispute resolution, including customer support and the Financial Supervisory Service.

Why the Product Matters

The launch illustrates how digital banks can broaden their product offerings without necessarily becoming the direct provider of every financial product.

By working with Shinhan Card, KakaoBank can offer customers access to a dedicated credit card product while leveraging Shinhan Card’s existing card infrastructure and expertise.

For consumers, the partnership combines KakaoBank’s digital customer interface with Shinhan Card’s credit card capabilities.

The approach also reflects the increasingly partnership-driven nature of financial services in South Korea, where banks, card companies, and fintech platforms can combine their respective customer bases and technology capabilities.

What Customers Should Consider

The headline benefit of up to KRW 600,000 annually should be viewed alongside the spending requirement and monthly benefit limits.

Customers should consider whether their normal spending patterns are sufficient to meet the KRW 500,000 previous-month requirement and whether their eligible purchases fall within the card’s benefit categories.

Promotional rewards also have specific application periods and conditions. Meeting the general spending requirement does not necessarily mean that every transaction will qualify for a discount.

The card’s annual fee, repayment obligations, and applicable interest or delinquency charges should also be considered before applying.

Final Thoughts

The KakaoBank Chakbut credit card expands the digital bank’s consumer financial product offering through a partnership with Shinhan Card.

With advertised annual benefits of up to KRW 600,000, plus limited-time launch promotions, the card is aimed at customers looking for rewards on everyday spending.

The product’s appeal will ultimately depend on how closely a customer’s spending habits match its eligibility requirements and benefit structure. For KakaoBank, meanwhile, the partnership demonstrates how digital financial platforms can broaden their product ecosystems through collaboration with established financial institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KakaoBank Chakbut credit card?

The Chakbut credit card is a credit card offered through KakaoBank in partnership with Shinhan Card, targeting everyday online and offline spending.

How much can customers receive in annual benefits?

KakaoBank advertises up to KRW 600,000 in annual benefits, subject to the card’s spending requirements, eligible transactions, and monthly benefit limits.