Seen above is BNK Busan Bank's headquarters in the nation's southern port city / Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

BNK Financial Group decided Thursday afternoon the shortlist for its next chairman, about two months after ex-Chairman Kim Ji-wan resigned from the post.

Under the decision, BNK Busan Bank CEO Ahn Kam-chan, Busan Bank's ex-CEO Bin Dae-in and Nautic Investment Vice Chairman Kim Yoon-mo will vie for the top post of the mid-tier financial holding firm, according to its executive recommendation committee.

Earlier, six officials ― Ahn, Bin, Kim, BNK Capital CEO Lee Doo-ho, Kyungnam Bank President Sohn Kyo-deok and Shinhan Bank's ex-CEO Wi Sung-ho ― had competed to get on the shortlist. Four of them were from the inside the group, while the remaining two had little to do with BNK's management.

The final candidate will take office in March after receiving approval at the group's regular shareholders' meeting.

BNK's executive recommendation committee has placed its top priority in fair assessment to confirm the shortlist, it said.

BNK Busan Bank's union urged the committee to pick a chairman who is free of any political risks.

"Regardless of whether the candidate is from the inside of the group, the next chairman should not be at risk of being involved in any judicial procedures, nor should he face any regulatory risks from watchdogs," the bank's union said. "When such leaders are appointed again, this may end up causing another leadership vacuum."

Earlier in November, the ex-BNK chief stepped down from the post for his alleged involvement in offering unfairly preferential business treatment to Hanyang Securities, where his son works, about five months before the end of his tenure.

"The committee should carefully review whether the next leader is qualified to lead the group's nine affiliates and 8,000 employees, rather than focusing on what appears to be an amazing resume," the union said.

As the shortlist has been finalized, the committee will also carry out in-depth interviews with them on Jan. 19 and then pick the final candidate for the position.