Press Releases - Financial Services Commission

Press Releases

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Mar 09, 2021

Financial Authorities to Provide Continued Support and Prepare for Post-pandemic Economy

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 36th financial risk assessment meeting via teleconference on March 9 and discussed the implementation of the COVID-19 financial support programs. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs remarks. (Financial Market Monitoring) With COVID-19 vaccines and a large-scale stimulus plan in the US, positive outlooks for economic recovery are spreading. However, expected inflation and interest rate hikes in overseas markets require close market monitoring as they may place cost burdens on domestic companies and households financing needs. As such, the authorities will closely monitor risks and prepare appropriate response when necessary. (COVID-19 Financial Support) Last week, financial institutions agreed to extend the availability of maturity extension and payment deferral programs for small merchants and SMEs until the end of September 2021. State-backed financial institutions also plan to offer an extension of loans and guarantees for middle market enterprises until September this year. The low interest rate lending support for small merchants will also be available for one more year. In order to help businesses prepare for a post-pandemic era, the government will extend the application period of the key industry stabilization fund, which is currently set to expire at the end of April this year, and find ways to make use of the fund to help businesses prepare for a post-pandemic era. In addition, the government will continue to provide support through the corporate asset purchase program.This year, on-site consulting services will also be made available to help businesses with their financing needs. (Mortgage Loans) The government has introduced diverse measures to manage household debt and stabilize the housing market. Current homeowners purchasing another house with mortgage loans in regulated areas are required to move into new home and sell their current properties within a specified time frame. In this regard, the financia
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Mar 08, 2021

FSC Announces New Rules on the Supervision of Non-holding Financial Groups

The FSC announced its proposal of the Enforcement Decree to the new legislation on the supervision of non-holding financial groups on March 8. The proposal will be put up for public notice from March 9 until April 19, 2021 and will go into effect on June 30, the same day the new Act becomes effective. Key Provisions A. Non-holding Financial Group: Non-holding financial groups are those with total assets of KRW5 trillion or more with two or more number of subsidiaries operating financial businesses.To guarantee a steady application of the law, a temporary decline in total assets below the KRW5 trillion threshold will not remove them from being designated as non-holding financial groups for a three-year period. B. Internal Control Risk Management: Non-holding financial groups will be required to establish specific standards on internal control and risk management while conducting internal evaluation on a regular basis to ensure that measures for risk management, internal control and capital adequacy are properly maintained. C. Capital Adequacy Assessment: Non-holding financial groups should maintain their capital adequacy ratios at appropriate levels and carry out self-assessment on their group-wide risks. D. Intra-group transaction and Reporting Disclosure: Intra-group transactions in the amount of KRW5 billionor more should be first approved by the board of the relevant financial subsidiary. Non-holding financial groups will be required to file reports and disclose information on their ownership and governance structure, internal control risk management, capital adequacy and intra-group transaction risk concentration. E. Business Improvement Plan: Non-holding financial groups that are deemed to have problems with financial soundness will be required to draw up and submit business improvement plans aimed at enhancing their financial soundness. The FSC may request additional actions, including a revision or supplementary measure, and take appropriate actions in accord
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Mar 08, 2021

KoFIU's Upgraded AML System Demonstrates Significant Improvements

The FSC announced that the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU)s upgraded anti-money laundering system in operation since December 17 of last year has shown significant improvements in terms of its suspicious transaction data processing, data screening and analysis and information security. The KoFIU began to operate an upgraded AML system from December 17, 2020to improve efficiency in data processing in response to the increasing volume of reports the system handles. In this regard, the past two months of operation has shown that significant improvements were made as intended. First, the suspicious transaction report filing system has become more efficient. The number of financial institutions filing STRs to KoFIU through an exclusive security network has been expanded to 3,664 from 611 previously. As such, the STR filing rate via exclusive security network has almost tripled from thirty percent to eighty-eight percent, with the processing time per STR reduced by more than ten seconds. Second, the screening and analysis process has been made more efficient with the increased use of digitalization and automation in the work process. The volume of preemptive screening and analysis of suspicious transactions has increased thirty-five percent on average compared to 2019. Third, the system hardware which is located at the National Information Resources Service guarantees much stronger levels of security and stability in management. The application of the standard framework on e-government has ensured an efficient integration of electronic resources and has improved the systems daily processing performance by more than nine times compared to the previous system. In order to more effectively respond to the increasingly diverse and complex types of money laundering schemes, the authorities will continue to work on improvements to the AML system. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Mar 03, 2021

FSC Holds Meeting on Developing Corporate Finance Platform to Support Innovative Businesses

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held a meeting on corporate finance via teleconference on March 3 and discussed ways to develop a corporate finance platform to more effectively provide financing support to innovative businesses. The meeting also discussed recent trends in corporate finance in both traditional and newly emerging industries and policy issues surrounding corporate finance in a post-COVID-19 era. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs opening remarks. (Policy on Corporate Finance) The COVID-19 pandemic has caused abrupt changes in global industrial structures. The acceleration of transition toward more digital and contactless economic activities, transformation of manufacturing into services and that of services into platforms have led to increased competition across industries. A green transition toward an eco-friendly and low-carbon economy is also taking place rapidly. These changes in the economic and industrial structures are more likely to place burdens on SMEs and middle market enterprises than they are to large companies. In this regard, there are also concerns about grim consequences in a post-pandemic era of failing to act preemptively now. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that there are policies in place to help SMEs and middle market enterprises to more effectively respond to the structural changes taking place across industries. (Corporate Finance Platform) These changes also require a fundamental shift in ways corporate finance is handled in the financial industry. The current industrial classification used in the financial industry does not fully take into account rapid changes taking place in industries, technologies, etc. There are also limits and restrictions in the current system in terms of providing sufficient funds for businesses to support their attempts at transforming a business or exploring a new business area as financial institutions may lack sufficient understanding about the most recent industry trends or technolog
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Mar 02, 2021

Maturity Extension and Payment Deferral for SMEs and Small Merchants Extended until September

The FSC announced on March 2 the availability of the current loan maturity extension and deferment of principal and interest payment programs for SMEs and small merchants until the end of September this year. The decision for a six-month extension of the lending support for SMEs and small merchants comes amid the continuing social distancing measures and pandemic-inflicted hardship imposed on businesses. As such, qualified business entities may apply or reapply for lending support according to the same standards that were announced back in March 2020. Along with the six-month extension of the lending support, the FSC also announced measures to help ease payment burdens once the deferral period expires from October 1. For those who sign up for a consulting service, financial institutions will provide consulting on the most appropriate way to make long-term, installment payments possible based on different financial situations in which borrowers find themselves. At the same time, financial institutions will be required to closely monitor any changes in borrowers payment capabilities and provide assistance immediately when deemed necessary. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
Mar 02, 2021

Plans to Boost Consumer Confidence and Promote Innovation in the Insurance Industry

The FSC announced a policy framework on insurance businesses on March 2, which aims to improve consumer confidence and promote innovation in the insurance industry. It details twelve key initiatives in four specific areas(a) working on improvements to the industry-wide structure of insurance business and boosting consumer confidence (b) enhancing the role of insurance as a social safety net, (c) promoting digital innovation and (d) making improvements to business management practices. This policy framework has been prepared based on expert opinions gathered from numerous committee and taskforce meetings, competitive assessments, suggestions from thinktanks and communication with market participants. As this framework sets forth a mid- to long-term direction of the insurance industry, specific implementation plans will be determined later. Key Measures I. Improving Industry-wide Structure and Boosting Consumer Confidence (a) Facilitating new players to enter the insurance market to promote competition and innovation - Allow market entrance of new types of insurance businesses specializing in small-sum and short-term insurance policies and those providing insurance services through online and digital channels - Introduce a more flexible licensing scheme for insurance businesses through which insurance companies are permitted to hold multiple subsidiaries specializing in same insurance categories (b) Revising rules to expand the availability of digital sales channels - Promote the use of digital, AI-based and contactless insurance sales channels - Expand innovative services by establishing standards on online platform services (c) Bolstering consumer protection throughout the subscription process - Tighten requirements on the sales process for risky products - Strengthen accountability of general agents (GAs) - Digitalize the damage claiming process and improve procedures on claim adjustment, medical advice, etc. II. Enhancing the Role of Insurance as a Social Safety N
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Feb 26, 2021

FSC Announces Korea's Risk-free Reference Rate

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 35th financial risk assessment meeting and 3rd taskforce meeting on benchmark interest rate reform via teleconference on February 26. At the meeting, Vice Chairman Doh announced the authorities selection of the overnight repo rate of government bonds and monetary stabilization bonds as Koreas new risk-free reference rate (RFR). The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs remarks. (Transition from LIBOR) The uncertainty surrounding the continuing availability of LIBOR beyond the end of 2021 requires financial institutions and businesses to be thoroughly prepared. In this regard, financial institutions and businesses are recommended to refrain from making new contracts based on LIBOR after the end of this year to minimize risks. For the current LIBOR-based contracts with maturities extending beyond the end of this year, fallback provisions should be added prior to the third quarter of this year. The financial authorities along with the relevant institutions have been operating a taskforce to prepare for the discontinuation of LIBOR under the auspices of the working group on reforming benchmark interest rate. The authorities will work for a seamless and systematic transition from LIBOR, ensure that financial institutions have adequate consumer protection measures in place and regularly monitor the financial institutions LIBOR exposures, response plans, etc. (Selection of RFR) The working group on benchmark interest rate reform has completed the selection of a RFR after a year and eight months of the selection process. After a series of discussions and votes by a market participants group,the working group has selected the overnight repo rate of government bonds and monetary stabilization bonds as the RFR. The repo markets abundant liquidity and its expandable use in derivatives markets were the main reasons for selection. After additional discussions on the calculation method of RFR, the Korea Securities Depository which current
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Feb 22, 2021

FSC Chairman Discusses Six-month Extension of Loan Deferment with Heads of Financial Associations

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo met with the heads of the five major financial associations and federations on February 22 and held talks on the necessity of a six-month extension of the loan deferment program and ways to facilitate a soft landing of the termination of the temporary support measures. While agreeing on the need to extend the availability of the loan deferment program for six more months, the participants also vowed to come up with ways to help facilitate a soft landing when the suspension of principal and interest payments expires. In order to minimize burdens placed on the financial sector, the participants also shared the same view on the need to extend some of the temporary deregulatory measures granted to financial companies beyond their expirations. In this regard, Chairman Eun stated that the FSC plans to gradually roll back the temporary deregulatory and financial response measures based on a judgement of both quantitative and qualitative indicators in the following areas(a) COVID-19 prevention and containment, (b) real economy and (c) financial stability. Chairman Eun stressed that the policy rollback will take place both gradually and flexibly. During the meeting, Chaiman Eun also discussed this years financial policy agenda, including the governments plan for New Deal funds and investing in digital innovation to prepare for a post-COVID-19 economy. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 22, 2021

FSC Introduces Guidelines on MyData Services and Establishes MyData Support Center

The FSC introduced guidelines on MyData services on February 22, which contain details about the consumers data privacy rights, scope of data transfers, operational procedures, obligations for service providers and so on, as MyData businesses will begin to offer their services using standardized API beginning on August 4, 2021. In addition, MyData support center has been set up at the Korea Credit Information Services to facilitate a seamless operation for both service providers and consumers. The center will provide support for quick resolution of conflicts and consumer complaints through MyData web portal. Guideline Details I. Scope of Data Provision The guidelines specify the types of consumer credit and financial data that can be provided through MyData services from a range of financial sectors, such as credit finance and financial investment businesses, insurance businesses, credit card companies, electronic financial services, etc. A further expansion on the types of consumer data available for MyData will be reviewed and decided in the future. II. Protection of Consumer Rights The guidelines contain measures to ensure that consumers are giving consent to data transfer with sufficient awareness of their data privacy rights through the use of easy-to-understand language and visual contents while allowing freedom of consent, denial, withdrawal, etc. To strengthen data protection, MyData businesses will be required to make their service cancellation process easy and completely remove consumer credit data from their platform when cancellation occurs. MyData firms will be prohibited from offering excessive rewards as sales pitch to prevent excessive competition in the industry. For the purpose of data security management, MyData firms will be subject a set of specific data security standards and the suitability and vulnerability tests. III. Data Transfer Process First, data subject files a data transfer request at a financial institution after choosing specific ty
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Feb 22, 2021

FSC to Strengthen Liquidity Management of Specialized Credit Finance Companies

The FSC announced a set of measures aimed at strengthening the liquidity management of specialized credit finance companies on February 22. The measures include (a) establishing best practice guidelines, (b) strengthening disclosure requirements and (c) gradually reducing the maximum leverage on credit finance (non-credit card) businesses. Background Specialized credit finance businesses are lenders without deposit-taking functions.They usually finance their business through borrowings or the issuance of corporate bonds and asset-backed securities (ABS). In particular, their heavy reliance on debt finance, about 73.9 percent of their financing,creates a problem of risk transfer to financial institutions holding their corporate bonds, especially if credit finance companies face solvency problems. In this regard, there have been concerns about credit finance companies turning into a conduit of systemic risk in times of an unexpected economic shock such as COVID-19. Therefore, liquidity problems of credit finance businesses can pose a risk not only to the borrowers with mid-to-low credit backgrounds but also to the real economy as they may cause a drop in consumption and corporate facility investment. Key Measures I. Best Practice Guidelines on Liquidity Management The best practice guidelines on specialized credit finance companies liquidity management will be introduced for implementation beginning in April this year. - (Target) Bond issuing credit finance companies and those with more than KRW100 billion in total assets will be subject to the new guidelines. - (Role of Board and Management) Board of directors should oversee the establishment and operation of liquidity management strategies and the company management should prepare specific management process and criteria and regularly report to its board members. - (Liquidity Risk Indicators) Major liquidity risk indicators include corporate bond maturity distribution, liquid asset ratio, short-term debt ratio, etc.
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Feb 19, 2021

FSC Chairman Holds Meeting with Heads of State-backed Financial Institutions

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo held a meeting with heads of state-backed financial institutions on February 19 and discussed maintaining the loan deferment program for small merchants and SMEs for six more months and promoting K-New Deal initiatives and green financing. Key Issues A. Maintain Efforts to Overcome Pandemic-induced Crisis Chairman Eun and the heads of state-backed financial institutions agreed on the need to extend the availability of loan deferment of principal and interest payments for small merchants and SMEs for six more months. The heads of state-backed financial institutions raised the same voice and showed their willingness in providing additional liquidity, interest rate cuts and business consulting to help businesses in need. B. Promote K-New Deal and Financial Innovation While emphasizing the importance of implementing the K-New Deal initiative and cultivating innovative firms, Chairman Eun talked about the FSCs plan to draw up a special lending support guideline for businesses through which companies can get financing with minimum eligibility criteria. In addition, Chairman Eun urged close cooperation in the operation of New Deal funds. C. Promote Green Financing Chairman Eun discussed the importance of information sharing and minimizing overlaps in functions between different institutions. To promote a synergetic effect and cooperation, the FSC will set up a consultative body on green finance made up of state-backed financial institutions this year. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 18, 2021

FSC Designates Two More Financial Solutions as 'Innovative Financial Services'

The FSC added two more financial solutions to the financial regulatory sandbox program on February 18, bringing the total number of innovative financial services to 139 since the sandbox program was launched on April 1, 2019. The FSC also made a decision to extend the designation and regulatory exemption period on five other previously selected innovative financial services. Overview of Newly Added Innovative Financial Services 1. A small-sum deferred payment service that allows consumers to make a payment on the remaining portion of the total charged amount after first using their online reward points based on a pre-determined individual deferred payment limit calculated according to the Alternative Credit Scoring System (Naver Financial, expected in Apr. 2021) 2. An online stock gift card service that allows consumers to purchase stock gift cards on easy-to-access e-commerce platforms and use them for trading in domestic and overseas securities markets (eBest Investment Securities, expected in Aug. 2021) * Please refer to the attachdd PDF for details.
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Feb 18, 2021

FSC Announces Rules Change to Improve the Recovery and Resolution Regimes of SIFIs

The FSC announced a revision proposal for the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Structural Improvement of the Financial Industry on February 18, which will be put up for public notice from February 19 to April 1, 2021. The revision proposal to the Enforcement Decree is a follow-up to the revised Act passed at the National Assembly in December last year which is aimed at strengthening the recovery and resolution regimes of the systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs) as recommended by the Financial Stability Board. The revisions are expected to help improve the preparedness and responsiveness of SIFIs in their crisis management. Key Revisions (Selection of SIFIs) The FSC should select SIFIs every year after considering their function, scale, ties to other financial institutions and influence on the domestic financial markets. In this regard, the selection of SIFIs will be confined to banks and bank holding companies. (Recovery and Resolution Plans) SIFIs will be required to prepare and submit their own recovery plans to the Financial Supervisory Service within three months from the day of being designated as a SIFI. The FSS will then immediately pass on their recovery plans to the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) and be required to evaluate the recovery plans and file evaluation reports to the FSC within three months. At the same time, the KDIC will be required to draw up resolution plans and submit them to the FSC within six months. A deliberative body within the FSC will then decide on the final approval of both recovery and resolution plans within two months. In this regard, recovery plans should have been approved at a board meeting prior to being submitted and contain specific details about the role and responsibilities of board members and executives, major business areas, standards of determining crisis situations, specific crisis management measures, etc. The deliberative body within the FSC will be made up of an FSC commissioner (FS
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Feb 17, 2021

FSC Proposes Additional Rules Change on Virtual Asset Service Providers

The FSC announced a revision proposal for the supervisory regulation on virtual assets on February 17 as the revised Act on Reporting and Using Specified Financial Transaction Information is scheduled to go into effect on March 25, 2021.The revision proposal will be put up for public notice from February 18 until March 2 and will take effect from March 25. Key Revisions (On Virtual Assets) The revised supervisory regulation contains the following details on pricing, exemption for real-name accounts, requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs), etc. - Pricing of virtual assets in fiat money for the purpose of sales, exchange or transfer will be determined by the price displayed by VASPs at the time of sales, exchange or transfer. - VASPs whose service activities entail no exchange of virtual assets with fiat money will be exempted from the real-name account rule that requires them to maintain real-name accounts with financial institutions. - New business registration, change and renewal forms have been established for VASPs. - A VASP will be allowed to serve as a broker between its own customer and another VASPs client only if the other party is a qualified AML compliant VASP and that verifying information on the other partys client is possible. - An adjustment has been made to the suspicious transaction reporting form to include virtual assets. (On STR Requirement) The revised supervisory regulation stipulates that financial institutions should file suspicious transaction reports to the KoFIU within three business days from the time of detecting suspicious financial transactions for money laundering by their AML officers. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 16, 2021

FSC Chairman Discusses Extending Loan Payment Deferment with Heads of Financial Holding Groups

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo held talks with the heads of the five financial holding groups on February 16 and discussed an extension of the availability of loan deferment of principal and interest payments currently set to expire at the end of March this year. In this regard, the participants agreed on the need to extend the availability of payment deferment for small merchants and SMEs for six more months considering the current COVID-19 situation, etc. Chairman Eun emphasized the importance of maintaining steady support for the real economy and stated that the financial authorities will work on an orderly rollback of the temporary support and deregulatory measures when conditions are permissible. During the meeting, Chairman Eun also talked about the leading role of finance in a post-pandemic era and shared key financial policy agendas for this year. *Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 15, 2021

3rd Korea Fintech Week to be Held in May

The FSC announced its plans to hold the 2021 Korea Fintech Week from May 26 to 28 under the theme of fintech and sustainable financial innovation. The third annual global fintech expo will kick off its first day at Conrad Seoul with live streaming of onsite activities available online and then move on to exclusively virtual events for the second and third days. The offline to online (O2O) availability of diverse promotional, vocational, educational and networking programs and opportunities will help boost awareness on fintechs and accelerate financial innovation. Key Features (User Experience) More dynamic and engaging programs will be prepared for online visitors with real-time QAs and communication made possible. (Job Fair) Fintech job talks will be held to offer real-time QA opportunities to fintech job seekers. (Investment) More fundraising opportunities will be available for fintechs through IR and venture capital consulting programs. (Education) Online educational programs will be offered with certificates Registration Schedule Preliminary application for participating firms will be open from the third week of March and pre-registration will be available from the first week of May from the Korea Fintech Week website (www.fintechweek.or.kr/2021). Viewing is free for students and the general public. In November this year, the FSC plans to hold an additional global fintech expo offline if the coronavirus conditions are permissible. For more information, please contact the Fintech Center Korea via email at fintechweek@fintech.or.kr or by phone at +82.2.6375.1541. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 15, 2021

FSC to Strengthen Inclusive Finance Measures

The FSC announced its plans to strengthen inclusive finance measures for this year on February 15. Key Measures A. Reduce Interest Payment Burdens on Lower Income Households (1) Work to improve the microfinancing options and encourage the private sector lenders to make more microloan opportunities available to low credit borrowers - Consider a wider reduction in interest rates for sunshine loan products and work to diversify microfinancing channels through different financial sectors - Provide incentives to financial institutions that have outstanding records in the provision of microloan products (2) Strengthen measures to root out illegal predatory lending and work to support victims B. Strengthen Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups (1) Introduce a government-backed ultra-long term (40-year) home mortgage product for young adults and expand support to lower their rent costs (2) Diversify options for receiving reverse home mortgage payments and promote other financial products for those in and/or preparing for retirement (3) Allow a payment deferral of up to two years for those hit by COVID-19 before their debt adjustment payment obligations take effect (4) Work for the enactment of the new consumer credit bill (to be submitted to the National Assembly in H1 2021) to establish a fair system of debt adjustment between creditors and individual debtors C. Ensure Effective Implementation of the Financial Consumer Protection Act (1) Operate a taskforce to ensure a smooth implementation of the new Financial Consumer Protection Act (2) Set up an online bulletin board to announce a schedule of public information sessions and work to strengthen public awareness about the expected changes in rules * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 10, 2021

Household Loans, January 2021

The outstanding balance of household loansin all financial sectors rose KRW10.1 trillion from the previous month at the end of January 2021 (up 8.5% y-o-y). The household loan balance increased KRW7.6 trillion in the banking sector and KRW2.5 trillion in the non-banking sector. By type, mortgage loans rose KRW5.8 trillion in January, declining KRW0.9 trillion from the previous month (up KRW6.7 trillion y-o-y). In the banking sector, mortgage loans grew KRW5.0 trillion while mortgage lending by non-banks increased KRW0.8 trillion from the previous month. Other types of loans rose KRW4.3 trillion as demand for credit loans remained high. The financial authorities will closely monitor trends in credit loans while ensuring a seamless provision of lending support to businesses hit by social distancing measures. In the first quarter, the authorities will come up with a more effective household debt management plan focusing on individual DSR. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Feb 09, 2021

Digital Finance Meeting Discusses Ways to Improve Rules for Fintechs and Big Techs

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 6th consultative body meeting on digital finance via teleconference on February 9 to discuss ways to improve rules for both fintechs and big techs and to examine areas for further improvements in the financial regulatory sandbox program. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs remarks. (Rules on Fintechs and Big Techs) Since October last year, the FSC has held talks with both fintechs and big techs on ten different occasions. Through these meetings, industry officials have suggested a total of seventy-four areas where regulatory reforms are needed. On fifty-two of them, the FSC will immediate take actions to improve the rules. On eleven others that are considered as mid- to long-term projects and require coordination with other ministries or further considerations for their impact on financial consumers, the FSC will continue to seek ways to make improvements. On the remaining eleven areas where it is deemed to be difficult to seek immediate change at the moment, the authorities will continue to closely monitor the trends to make improvements when conditions become permissible. On regulatory reforms to promote fintech innovation, the FSC will pursue the following policies. First, the FSC will work to create an environment where new digital businesses can be quickly launched and flourish. As many fintechs and platform service providers have requested, the authorities will work to provide strong support for launching new and innovative financial services through platforms. To this end, the FSC will ensure the launch of new innovative financial services through the regulatory sandbox program while working for a prompt enactment of the relevant amendments to the Electronic Financial Transactions Act. To build a strong foundation for the MyData industry, the FSC will promptly work to provide medium- and small-sized fintechs with support for their API data standardization and build a one-stop integrated MyData authentication sy
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Feb 08, 2021

FSC to Boost Support for Innovative Firms and Strengthen ESG Standards

The FSC held a financial development review committee meeting on February 4 and announced the direction of key policy areas and initiatives for this year including the government-wide support program to nurture more than one thousand innovative businesses and improving rules to strengthen ESG standards. Key Tasks A. Maintain Financial Support to Overcome COVID-19 (1) Ensure an effective implementation of the KRW175 trillion-plus financial support programs for businesses - Help relieve financial burdens of small merchants especially those hit by social gathering restrictions through a reduction in guarantee fees, etc. - Extend the operation of the working capital support program for suppliers and subcontractors in the key industries for three more monthsand extend the application deadline of the key industry stabilization fund (2) Create an on-site inspection and support team to closely communicate with small merchants and businesses on the ground to help address their needs - Introduce a measure to temporarily allow a deferral of business insolvency proceedings for small merchants undergoing a business closure with no overdue loan payments from February 15 to September 30, 2021 and require no repayment until the maturity date B. Manage Potential Risks Arising from the Pandemic Response (1) Work on long-term management of household debt to prevent it from over-burdening the economy - Prepare household debt management measures in the first quarter to promote lending based on individual borrowers debt service capacities and strengthen management over excessive levels of unsecured lending - Strengthen financing support for young adults and first-time homebuyers (2) Establish a corporate debt management system and pursue a dual-track management according to the different needs of businesses - Develop a database platform that tracks financial exposures of businesses in different industries - Provide adequate liquidity to those experiencing a temporary liquidity shortage t
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