[THE INVESTOR] South Korea launched an “open platform” on Aug. 30 to assist financial institutions in developing financial technology, a government agency said.

The system, the first of its kind in the world, is designed to offer standardized financial transaction programs involving all major banks and securities firms in the nation, according to the Financial Services Commission.

The platform would serve as a direct communication channel between fintech developers and financial services operators and also play a role as a test bed for new services, the state financial regulator said.

“The establishment of such a joint open platform by financial circles is the world’s first attempt,” it said in a statement.

In an address at the opening ceremony at the Fintech Center in Bundang, just south of Seoul, the FSS’s head Yim Jong-yong also described it as the “cornerstone” for South Korea to become a global leader in the fintech field.

Fintech companies, he stressed, will be able to develop stable and convenient services through the platform more easily and quickly.

The system was developed after years-long efforts spearheaded by Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute and Koscom, a technology developer for brokerage houses.

A total of 16 banks and 25 securities firms here participated in the initiative in partnerships with fintech companies.

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