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Jun 11, 2020
- Government Launches KRW2 Trillion-plus Program to Purchase Corporate Assets
- The government announced its plans to launch a KRW2 trillion-plus program to purchase corporate assets at the 6th Meeting of the Central Economic Response Headquarters on June 11.BACKGROUNDIn order to provide liquidity and bolster financing options for businesses amid the pandemic, the government has made available KRW175 trillion-plus in financial support programs, from which about KRW52.6 trillion has been provided as of June 8.Aside from the government-backed financing programs, companies have been selling off their assets to boost liquidity. Asset sell-offs are an important strategy for corporate restructuring and improving company’s financial structure. For companies’ self-rescue efforts to be effective, asset sell-offs should take place at fair prices.To facilitate this, the government will set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) at the Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO) to purchase corporate assets at fair prices, stimulating private sector demand for corporate assets.KEY DETAILSA KRW2 trillion-plus SPV will be created through bond issuance from KAMCO with the possibility of expanding the fund size with participation from the privately managed funds. KAMCO will work to increase its funding capacity by making investments in assets with different term periods.The SPV will purchase assets held by all sized companies but will primarily invest in assets that are unlikely to attract sufficient demand in the market. An input from outside experts, such as accounting firms, will be used to help establish objective and balanced pricing standards.Based on the characteristics or types of assets and considering the future possibility of buybacks, the SPV will adopt different buying strategies—(a) buy and hold, (b) sale and leaseback, and (c) sale and call option agreement.The Corporate Structure Innovation Support Center run by KAMCO will function as a platform to promote information sharing and act as an intermediary between sellers and buyers. It will promo
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Jun 11, 2020
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Jun 10, 2020
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Jun 09, 2020
- Preliminary Application Opens for Designation of Data Specializing Institution
- The FSC announced on June 9 that the preliminary application for the designation of data specializing institution will be open from June 10 to 24.The revised Credit Information Act, which is scheduled to go into effect on August 5, incorporates the concept of anonymized and pseudonymized data and authorizes the government designated data specializing institution to perform convergence of pseudonymized data originating from different businesses. The data specializing institution will also test the appropriateness of anonymized data upon requests.REQUIREMENTSApplying entities should (a) be non-profit or public institutions, (b) have eight or more specialists in the field of data or information security as well as legal professionals, with its board members having no recent record of violating either the Personal Information Protection Act or the Credit Information Act, (c) have set up data processing, IT and information security facilities suitable for data convergence, (d) have total debt within 200 percent of net assets, and (e) have risk management and internal control mechanisms for the purpose of identity protection with its mission and business area appropriate for performing the tasks of a data specializing institution.OPERATIONAL GUIDELINESWhile maintaining the right balance between data protection and data utilization, a streamlined and secure process for data convergence will be put in place. Also, rigorous security standards will be established in order to prevent data leakage and re-identification.The appropriateness test for anonymized data will go through an objective and efficient process by a review committee of experts.SCHEDULEThe designation of data specializing institution will be announced within August after a review of preliminary applications in July and registration on August 5.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Jun 09, 2020
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Jun 08, 2020
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Jun 08, 2020
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Jun 08, 2020
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Jun 05, 2020
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Jun 04, 2020
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Jun 04, 2020
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Jun 03, 2020
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Jun 02, 2020
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May 28, 2020
- FSC Designates 4 More Financial Solutions as 'Innovative Financial Services'
- The FSC added four more financial solutions to the financial regulatory sandbox on May 27, bringing the total number of ‘innovative financial services’ to 106 since launching the financial regulatory sandbox program on April 1, 2019.CHAIRMAN’S REMARKSChairman Eun Sung-soo stated that the regulatory sandbox has made positive changes in the financial sectors since its inception. It has (a) brought more rapid, convenient and affordable financial services for consumers, (b) introduced new and innovative ways of raising capital for small merchants, and (c) accelerated digital transformation for the entire financial industry. In order to prepare for a post-COVID-19 era, the government is pursuing a ‘digital new deal,’ and the sandbox program is essential as it provides a testing ground for digital transformation.In order to more effectively operate the sandbox program, the FSC will (a) focus on testing new digital technologies, such as big data and AI, (b) seek changes in regulations for untact digital services as soon as their safety and security performances are verified, (c) work to extend the regulatory exemption period for fintechs and start-ups, (d) enhance the autonomy of the designated innovative financial services, and (e) provide support to fintech firms with their scale-up and overseas expansion opportunities.OVERVIEW OF NEWLY ADDED ‘INNOVATIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES’1. An untact personal authentication service based on blockchain technologies allowing customers to issue and save their digital certificates for real-name verification purpose (SK Telecom, expected launch in June 2021)2. An untact personal authentication platform that provides customers’ real name verification information for all savings banks using a joint savings bank mobile app (Korea Federation of Savings Banks, expected launch in December 2020)3. An untact personal authentication service using facial recognition technologies (DGB Daegu Bank, expected launch in May 2021)4. A mobile
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May 28, 2020
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May 28, 2020
- FSC Chairman Speaks on Fintech Innovation as Part of Post-COVID-19 Strategy
- FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo delivered welcoming remarks during the opening session of the 2020 Korea Fintech Week held virtually from May 28.SUMMARY OF CHAIRMAN’S SPEECHThe 2020 Korea Fintech Week will provide opportunities for experiencing connectivity, convergence, openness and innovation in the financial sector based on digital finance and big data. In order to prepare for a post-COVID-19 era, it is important to continue to promote innovation in fintech and digital finance. As part of the government’s strategies to pursue innovation, the FSC will continue to promote digital, big data and untact services in the financial industry.I. INCREASE FUNDING TO PROMOTE DIGITAL ECONOMYThe government is pursuing a ‘digital new deal’ through which establishing more digital infrastructures will help create new jobs. To this end, the government will increase investment in key technologies, such as 5G, AI and big data, and provide support for new growth engines, such as system chips, biohealth and future cars.II. IMPROVE REGULATIONS TO PROMOTE INNOVATIONThe revisions to the data related laws will help facilitate the utilization, convergence and distribution of personal financial data, which will also pave the way for MyData businesses. The abundant availability of public data to businesses will also help create more businesses and jobs. The FSC will seek to revamp the digital payment system through the introduction of MyPayment, while improving the applicability and security of open banking services. The FSC will also continue to work on improving financial regulations through its regulatory sandbox program.III. ENSURE SECURITY SAFETY OF DIGITAL DATAThe FSC will work to maintain a reliable cybersecurity system to facilitate digital innovation by seeking a right balance between data usage and protection, closing the gap on digital divide and preventing cyber voice phishing and other fraudulent activities.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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May 28, 2020
- Vice Chairman Holds Talks on Promoting Market-Based Corporate Restructuring
- FSC Vice Chairman Sohn Byungdoo held talks on promoting more market-based approaches to corporate restructuring with relevant institutions and market experts on May 28.The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Sohn’s remarks.MARKET-BASED APPROACHES TO CORPORATE RESTRUCTURINGAmid the current pandemic-induced economic downturn, many businesses are facing difficulties. With a blurring boundary between liquidity risk and solvency risk, it appears that more and more companies will have to go through corporate restructuring. Meanwhile, the creditor banks face limited capability to support corporate restructuring due to uncertainties about future repayment prospects and burdens of securing additional reserves. Therefore, promoting market-based approaches to corporate restructuring is essential for eliminating this discrepancy.Due to the pandemic-related market uncertainties, companies are selling subsidiaries to bolster liquidity, and the role of experienced market players such as asset managers in the corporate restructuring and MA market is crucial in this regard.CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING FUNDAs of the end of April 2020, the corporate restructuring fund has invested about KRW700 billion in 16 companies since its launch in November 2018. The fund has provided support for business turnaround of twelve companies in the traditional manufacturing sectors, such as steel, shipbuilding and auto parts. The successful turnaround cases of KG Dongbu Steel and Sungdong Shipbuilding provide an important turning point for more market-based solutions to corporate restructuring.As such, the government plans to expand the size of the corporate restructuring fund from KRW1.6 trillion to KRW2.6 trillion this year. With about KRW75 billion from fiscal resources, policy banks have helped to create a KRW500 billion master fund.(PROJECT FUND) With the increased size of the fund, the proportion of project fund will be expanded from 26 percent to 40 percent while making investment available for
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May 27, 2020
- 2020 Online Korea Fintech Week
- The 2nd Korea Fintech Week will be held virtually starting at 10 am on May 28. It is organized into five sessions, and the virtual exhibitions are open to everyone for viewing at free of charge via www.fintechweek.or.kr/2020. SCHEDULE(OPENING SESSION) Welcoming remarks by FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo and congratulatory remarks by key dignitaries including Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell and Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters(SPECIAL SESSIONS) Presentations and seminars on ‘open innovation,’ showcasing major policy and industry trends at home and abroad► FSC: Fintech in Korea and digital transformation strategy in financial sectors► KFTC: Open banking in Korea► FSI: Financial data security in the 4th industrial revolution► VISA-Fintech Center Korea: Sharing successful collaboration lessons between global financial company and fintech► MAS: Future of fintech in post-COVID-19 era► Stone Chalk: Fintech trends in Australia► World Bank: Digital finance for crisis response and economic development – Role of the WB► KPMG: Korean fintech industry in 2020 policy trends► KOSCOM: Financial cloud computing and compliance in financial services► FSI: Security evaluation trends of cloud service providers in financial sectors► Regtech suptech showcases(VIRTUAL EXHIBITION HALLS) The six virtual exhibition halls are organized into a fintech ecosystem hall, a financial enterprise hall, a fintech start-up hall, a fintech scale-up hall, a big tech hall and a global enterprise hall, participated by about 150 entitiesTo help attract investment for the K-Growth fund, a major source of fintech investment operated by the Korea Growth Investment Corporation, a shortcut to fintech investors’ relations will be placed on top of the main page.(ONLINE JOB FAIR) HR managers from 35 financial companies and fintech firms will provide information about job openings, nature of work and qualities they look for in new hires. About a dozen companies have plans t
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May 26, 2020
- Vice Chairman Calls for Close Cooperation between Businesses, Creditors and Lending Institutions
- FSC Vice Chairman Sohn Byungdoo held the 5th financial risk assessment meeting on May 26 to check the current status of the COVID-19 financial support for businesses and households. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman’s remarks.(LOW-RATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL MERCHANTS) The government has made available KRW16.4 trillion in low interest rate financial support package for about 430,000 small merchants. Between May 18 and 22, about 31,442 applications were received by lending institutions.(EMERGENCY RELIEF PAYMENTS) As of May 25, about 94 percent of households applied for emergency relief payments. Swift processing of relief payments was made possible by strong cooperation between the public and private sectors.(SPV KEY INDUSTRY STABILIZATION FUND) The government will take prompt steps in preparation for establishing a special purpose vehicle intended to purchase low rated corporate bonds and CP, and for launching a key industry stabilization fund this week.In order to boost the effectiveness of these policies, close cooperation is essential between businesses, creditors and financial institutions.FINANCIAL SUPPORT PROVIDEDAs of May 22, a total of KRW107.8 trillion (1,327,000 individual cases) in loans and guarantees as well as loan and guarantee extensions were provided to the SMEs and small-scale businesses that have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.► FINANCING BY TYPE: KRW54.3 trillion (1,038,000 cases) in new loans and guarantees, KRW50.2 trillion (256,000 cases) in maturity extensions and deferred payments, KRW900 billion (7,000 cases) in deferment of interest payments, and KRW2.4 trillion (25,000 cases) in export-import credit finance and discounted interest rates and late fees► FINANCING BY INDUSTRY: KRW13.5 trillion (150,000 cases) to wholesale businesses, KRW8.7 trillion (273,000 cases) to restaurant businesses and KRW8.7 trillion (223,000 cases) to retail businesses► FINANCING BY PROVIDER: KRW59.1 trillion (824,000 cases) by policy bank
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May 25, 2020