As the end of the year approaches, the distribution of New Year's calendars by commercial banks is once again attracting attention. In particular, Woori Bank's desk calendar featuring model IU has gained great popularity, leading to cases where it is being sold at a premium on secondhand trading platforms.

According to the banking sector on the 12th, notices stating "the 2026 calendars have already been completely distributed" have been posted at several branches. Every year, a superstition that "hanging the calendar brings money" spreads, causing demand for bank calendars to increase especially during economic downturns. However, this year, the limited quantity has left customers disappointed. The main reason is that banks have continuously reduced production volumes citing ESG management policies and cost-cutting measures.

Distribution criteria vary by branch. Some branches limit calendars to main customers or prioritize app users, while others distribute only to new product subscribers. Amid this situation, the influx of customers trying to obtain calendars has increased the difficulties faced by bank employees. On a community forum for office workers, a post described how a customer shouted, "Do you know how many years I've been a customer?" after being told multiple times that calendars were out of stock, and eventually took a display calendar hanging on the branch wall. Among bank staff, complaints arise every year that calendar-related customer grievances at year-end are the most troublesome.

The most attention is focused on Woori Bank. Following last year, this year's desk calendar featuring model IU was released, and when a free distribution event was held for the first 10,000 applicants on the WooriWON Banking app, applications surged. NH Nonghyup Bank also distributed 25,000 calendars on a first-come, first-served basis through the NH All One Bank app starting on the 25th of last month, but all were gone in less than an hour. Consumers who could not secure calendars at branches have turned to secondhand trading platforms, where free bank calendars are being sold for 5,000 to 10,000 won. IU calendars, in particular, command the highest prices.

Banks are differentiating themselves with concept calendars that reflect their brand identity. KB Kookmin Bank introduced an illustrated calendar featuring the character "Star Friends" reinterpreting famous scenes from literary works, while Hana Bank produced a calendar in collaboration with the Nam June Paik Art Center to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Nam June Paik's passing. Shinhan Bank also attracted customer interest by releasing calendars featuring its character "Shinhan Friends."

The number of calendars produced by banks has been decreasing every year. According to the financial sector, this year commercial banks produced between 1 million and 2 million New Year's calendars each, which is less than half the volume produced in the early 2000s. Because of this, bank calendars, which used to be easily obtained for free at year-end, have now become "precious items."

A representative from a commercial bank said, "There are opinions to stop producing calendars altogether or to distribute them only internally because calendar-related complaints repeat every year, but once produced, they hang in branches all year round, providing significant promotional effects, so we cannot stop producing them."

Considering the high demand for calendars, banks are maximizing promotional effects by producing calendars that embody their corporate identity. KB Kookmin Bank released a desk calendar expressing scenes from literary works such as "The Little Prince" and "Hong Gil-dong" for each month. Hana Bank produced a calendar featuring 12 works by artist Nam June Paik and provided it to customers. Shinhan Bank released calendars featuring the "Shinhan Friends" characters and illustrations.

Meanwhile, calendars produced by the Bank of Korea and the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation are also popular. The "Money Calendar" released last month by the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation was made by recycling byproducts from the currency manufacturing process and sold out completely within a day of release. This trend is attracting consumer interest alongside commercial bank calendars.

In conclusion, this year's calendar battle centers on Woori Bank's IU calendar, which is recording high transaction prices on secondhand trading platforms, while banks are drawing customer attention with differentiated concepts. Although this phenomenon repeats every year, this year the competition among customers has intensified, especially due to the reduced supply.