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Banks to tighten Q2 household lending as risk concerns rise: BOK survey

Published: 21 Apr. 2026, 14:51

A man looks at a mortgage loan advertisement displayed outside a financial institution in Seoul on March 29. [YONHAP]

Korean banks are expected to tighten lending standards for households in the second quarter amid growing concerns over credit risks stemming from the ongoing Middle East crisis, a central bank survey showed Tuesday.

The index gauging banks' lending attitudes stood at minus 4 for the April to June period, down from minus 1 in the previous quarter, according to the survey of 203 financial institutions, including 18 banks, conducted by the Bank of Korea (BOK).

A reading below zero indicates that a majority of lenders plan to tighten lending standards.

The index of banks' lending attitudes has remained in negative territory for five consecutive quarters since the second quarter of 2025, as financial authorities have tightened regulations on household lending since late 2024 to rein in surging household debt and rising housing prices in Seoul and surrounding regions.

“Under the government's ongoing debt management stance, lending standards for both housing-related and general household loans are expected to tighten,” the BOK said.

In contrast, lending attitudes toward large corporations are projected to ease, with the index at 3, while those for small- and medium-sized enterprises are expected to remain unchanged from the previous quarter, it added.

The survey also showed that demand for household mortgage loans is likely to decline, while demand for general household loans is projected to increase, driven by continued demand for stock market investment funds.

Demand for corporate loans is also expected to rise for both large firms and small- and medium-sized enterprises amid heightened uncertainty stemming from the crisis involving Iran.

“Credit risks for both large corporations and SMEs are expected to increase from the previous quarter given heightened geopolitical tensions,” the BOK said. “Household credit risk is also likely to rise due to concerns over weakening debt-servicing capacity among vulnerable borrowers.”

Yonhap