The Financial Services Commission announced that the certificate of deposit (CD) rate as a critical benchmark rate under the Act on the Management of Financial Benchmarks will take effect from October 2. The disclosure of CD rates based on an updated calculation method will be available from October 4.

In March 2021, the FSC selected the CD rate as a critical benchmark rate under the Act on the Management of Financial Benchmarks, and decided to designate Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) as the administrator of critical benchmark rate in June 2023. Allowing a period of adjustment concerning the change in CD rate calculation method, the authorities granted a grace period of about three months.

As the CD rate as a critical benchmark rate will take effect from October 2, financial institutions using CD rates will be required to provide explanation to investors about their use of critical benchmark rate for both new and renewal contracts. The KOFIA will begin to disclose CD rates using an updated calculation method starting from October 4.

As this change in the critical benchmark rate takes place in the market, for the first six months, the financial authorities will focus on ensuring a seamless transition and adoption by financial institutions.

* Please refer to the attached file for details.