Lending rates fall in March for first time in four months

Banks' overall lending rates fell for the first time in four months in March as a decline in corporate loan rates outweighed a rise in household lending rates amid tighter regulations aimed at stabilizing the housing market, data showed Tuesday.

2026-04-28

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

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.

2026-04-21

Household loans rebound for first time in four months in March on lending linked to stock investments

Household loans extended by Korean banks rose for the first time in four months in March despite tight regulations, as lending linked to stock investments grew amid a market correction, data showed on Wednesday.

2026-04-08

Average price of mid-sized apartments in Seoul exceeds 1.5 billion won

The average price of mid-sized apartments in Seoul has exceeded 1.5 billion won ($977,000) for the first time, largely because buyers are focusing on homes priced at 1.5 billion won or less.

2026-03-31

Banks' bad-loan ratio unchanged in Q4

Korean banks' bad-loan ratio remained unchanged during the fourth quarter of last year from three months earlier, data from the Financial Supervisory Service showed Wednesday.

2026-03-25

Delinquency rate on bank loans rises to 0.56% in January

The delinquency rate on loans extended by local banks increased in January due to a rise in newly soured debts, data showed Friday.

2026-03-20

Household loans fall for 3rd month in February

Household loans extended by Korean banks fell for the third consecutive month in February amid tightened lending regulations, though mortgage-backed loans rebounded slightly due to seasonal demand in moving, central bank data showed Wednesday.

2026-03-11

Corporate lending expansion slowed in last quarter of 2025, says BOK

Loans extended to companies in Korea grew at a slower pace in the fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter amid sluggish demand from the construction sector, central bank data showed Monday.

2026-03-09

New lending per borrower sinks in Q4 to nearly 2 years: BOK

New household loans per borrower in the fourth quarter of last year fell to the lowest level in about two years amid the government's tightened regulations to cool the overheated housing market, the central bank said Tuesday.

2026-02-24

Delinquency rate on bank loans down in December

The delinquency rate on loans extended by local banks fell in December, data showed Tuesday.