Daegu reserved 30% of its KRW100 billion autumn Daeguro Pay issue for purchases through iM Bank branches. The city announced the issue in its September 10, 2026 economic package, then set out the operating arrangements on September 14 ahead of the September 21 sales launch.
A separate branch allocation and a common opening time
The split assigned KRW30 billion to branches and KRW70 billion to the mobile app. Daegu described the separate branch reserve as a way to protect access for older people and other residents less comfortable with digital services. The allocation was not restricted to older buyers: the city later confirmed that anyone still seeking to load a card could use the available branch route.
Daegu split the autumn issue between online and branch channels
Of the KRW100 billion autumn issue, KRW70 billion was assigned to online sales and KRW30 billion to iM Bank branches.
KRW billion
Tap or hover for details. All values are also available in the data table.
Sources
These are channel allocations of voucher value, not subsidy expenditure or merchant sales.
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| Category | Allocated voucher face value |
|---|---|
| Online app | 70 KRW billion |
| Bank branches | 30 KRW billion |
Online and branch sales both opened at 09:00, replacing the app’s previous 00:15 opening. The purchase discount was 10%, with an individual monthly purchase limit of KRW300,000. iM Bank’s current product guide likewise states a KRW300,000 monthly loading limit and up to KRW30,000 in purchase discounts, while noting that city policy can change these terms.
A separate incentive returns 5% of Daeguro Pay spending at designated Good Price businesses. Daegu counted 615 such businesses in its September announcement and said in October that the additional cashback would continue through year-end. The purchase discount and merchant-specific cashback arise at different stages; the extra reward does not apply to every payment across the network.
The branch allocation remained available after online sales ended
The city’s October 7 update reported that the online allocation had been exhausted, while approximately KRW17 billion of the branch allocation had been loaded and KRW13 billion remained available. This establishes that branch availability persisted after online sales ended. It does not establish how the benefit was distributed by age or whether the reserve caused additional merchant revenue.
About KRW13 billion remained in the branch allocation on October 7
Daegu reported approximately KRW17 billion loaded through branches and KRW13 billion still available out of the KRW30 billion branch allocation.
KRW billion
Tap or hover for details. All values are also available in the data table.
Source
Rounded administrative figures as of October 7, 2026. They measure loaded voucher value and available issuance, not redemption at merchants or availability on a later date.
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| Category | Voucher face value |
|---|---|
| Already loaded at branches | 17 KRW billion |
| Remaining branch allocation | 13 KRW billion |
Contemporaneous reporting adds detail to the launch. Maeil reported KRW62 billion loaded in the first four hours on September 21, alongside app queues and mixed reactions to the 09:00 opening. Its interviews describe individual experiences, not a representative survey of convenience. Yeongnam reported that the online allocation ran out at about 11:30 on September 22; at 14:00 that day, branch loading stood at KRW10 billion, with KRW20 billion remaining. The October city figures provide a later snapshot of that same branch allocation.
iM Bank’s guide permits use by people aged at least 14, including visitors to Daegu, and distinguishes mobile-card issuance through the iM# app from physical-card issuance at branches. Branch loading requires identification and the card. The published loading totals show demand for discounted stored value; they do not show when the balances were spent, how much was left unused or the net economic effect of the programme.
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Suzie Elis
Suzie Elis covers gift card products, digital gifting and distribution for Gift Card News.