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Household Credit Surges in Q2, Driven by Rising Mortgages

Household Credit Surges in Q2, Driven by Rising Mortgages

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s household credit rebounded sharply in the second quarter of the year as home-backed loans increased in the face of tightened lending criteria and high rates, central bank data showed Tuesday. Outstanding household credit reached 1,896.2 trillion won (US$1.419 trillion) at the end of June, up 13.8 trillion [...]

Early Repayment Charges to be Reduced Starting Mid-January Next Year

Early Repayment Charges to be Reduced Starting Mid-January Next Year

SEOUL, July 10 (Korea Bizwire) – Early repayment charges on loans will be lowered from mid-January next year as financial regulators revised rules, officials said Wednesday. Under the revised rules, lenders will only be allowed to collect the actual cost of making or handling the loans repaid in advance, along with any actual loss stemming [...]

South Korea’s Household Debt Burden Ranks Fourth Among Major Economies

South Korea’s Household Debt Burden Ranks Fourth Among Major Economies

SEOUL, Jul. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – In a global comparison of household debt burdens, South Korea emerged as having the fourth-highest ratio of debt payments to income among major economies last year, according to data released by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The report, published on July 7, reveals that South Korea’s debt service ratio [...]

Household Loan Growth Accelerates

Household Loan Growth Accelerates

SEOUL, July 7 (Korea Bizwire) – The growth of household loans has shown signs of acceleration as combined household loans from the country’s five major banks surged by approximately 2.2 trillion won (US$1.6 billion) in just four days last week, financial data showed Sunday. According to the data, the total household loan balance of the [...]

Planned Start of Stricter Rules on Household Loans to Be Postponed until September

Planned Start of Stricter Rules on Household Loans to Be Postponed until September

SEOUL, Jun. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — The financial regulator said Tuesday that the planned implementation of stricter rules on household loans will be postponed until the start of September amid various risk factors facing the financial market. The country was originally set to implement a second phase formula for floating rate stress debt service ratio [...]

Credit Card Debt in South Korea Soars as Consumers Grapple with High Costs

Credit Card Debt in South Korea Soars as Consumers Grapple with High Costs

SEOUL, Jun. 21 (Korea Bizwire) – The ongoing economic struggles faced by many South Korean households due to high interest rates and inflation have led to a surge in credit card debt, surpassing 40 trillion won last month. Additionally, the use of “balance transfer” loans, which allow borrowers to consolidate debt from one credit card to [...]

Household Loans from 5 Major Banks Increase by Over 2.1 Trillion Won as of Mid-June

Household Loans from 5 Major Banks Increase by Over 2.1 Trillion Won as of Mid-June

SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) – Household loans extended by five major lenders in South Korea have risen more than 2.1 trillion won (US$1.5 billion) so far this month, industry data showed Sunday. Outstanding household loans extended by the five top lenders reached 705.4 trillion won as of June 13, compared with 703.2 trillion won [...]

Koreans Turn to Trusts to Manage Inheritance and Avoid Family Feuds

Koreans Turn to Trusts to Manage Inheritance and Avoid Family Feuds

SEOUL, May 29 (Korea Bizwire) – The use of so-called will testamentary trusts is rapidly gaining popularity in South Korea as more people seek ways to manage their inheritance and prevent conflicts among family members after their death.  According to data from South Korean banks, the balance of will testamentary trusts held by the nation’s five [...]

Record High Credit Card Loan Balances in South Korea as Economic Woes Persist

Record High Credit Card Loan Balances in South Korea as Economic Woes Persist

SEOUL, May 21 (Korea Bizwire) – As the South Korean public continues to grapple with high interest rates and soaring consumer prices, credit card loan balances reached an all-time high last month, reflecting the mounting financial strain on ordinary citizens.  According to data released on May 20 by the Credit Finance Association, the combined credit card [...]

South Korea’s Low-Rate Baby Loan Program Attracts 5 Trillion Won in Applications

South Korea’s Low-Rate Baby Loan Program Attracts 5 Trillion Won in Applications

SEOUL, May 6 (Korea Bizwire) – A special loan program in South Korea offering rock-bottom interest rates for newlywed couples and new parents has drawn more than 5 trillion won in applications just three months since its launch, data showed on May 5. The “New Baby” loan program, introduced on January 29 by the Ministry [...]