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Jan 14, 2020
- Vice Chairman Attends FSB Steering Committee Meeting in Basel
- FSC ViceChairman Sohn Byungdoo attended the Financial Stability Board (FSB) steeringcommittee meeting held on January 13, 2020 in Basel, Switzerland.The steeringcommittee meeting was attended by the heads of central banks and financialregulatory bodies from 20 countries and 11 international organizations, such asthe International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. The members helddiscussions on the risk assessment of non-bank financial institutions and waysto respond to risks associated with stablecoins.With regard to non-bankfinancial intermediaries, Vice Chairman Sohn stated that it is both timely andimportant to reassess the regulatory and supervisory framework of non-bankfinancial intermediaries given their size and global linkages. The recent trendof low interest rates may further aggravate risks in non-bank financialintermediaries due to a prevalent tendency toward high-risk, high-yield assets,Vice Chairman Sohn said.In this regard,the Korean government has been managing potential systemic risks in non-bankfinancial sectors by analyzing ‘activities’ and ‘entities’ separately, ViceChairman Sohn added.On regulatingstablecoins, the FSC agreed on the principle that a holistic approach to riskassessment should take place and that appropriate regulatory measures should beestablished prior to incorporating stablecoins in the global financial system.Considering the effects of stablecoins on monetary policy and anti-moneylaundering regime, the FSC reaffirmed the need to bolster cooperation withinternational organizations, such as the IMF and the Financial Action TaskForce.To preventregulatory arbitrage using stablecoins, Vice Chairman Sohn emphasized theimportance of increasing efforts for coordination between the developed anddeveloping countries.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Jan 09, 2020
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Jan 09, 2020
- Joint Response Unit on Financial Markets Holds First Meeting
- FSC Vice Chairman Sohn Byungdoo presided over the first meeting of the joint response unit on financial markets on January 9, 2020 to assess the impact of the recent Middle East instability on domestic financial markets. The officials from the relevant ministries and public institutions as well as private sector experts attended the meeting.The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Sohn’s keynote address:BACKGROUNDThe escalating conflict between the US and Iran has led to increased financial market volatilities both at home and abroad. Following President Donald Trump’s announcement not to seek further military action against Iran, the US stock market closed higher yesterday with Dow Jones adding 0.56% and SP500 gaining 0.49%. However, there are lingering uncertainties and the government has been preparing contingency plans considering all possible scenarios.On January 8, the government set up a joint response system in order to more systematically respond to situations. Today’s meeting on financial markets is one of the five thematically organized units.1DOMESTIC FINANCIAL MARKETSThe domestic financial markets have fluctuated recently2 against the backdrop of the US-China first phase trade agreement and the recent instability in the Middle East. Despite increased market volatilities following the uncertainty in the Middle East, it is necessary to remain calm and prudent.Korea’s external soundness remains solid as the net foreign assets in debt instruments (USD 479.8 billion) and the foreign exchange reserves (USD 408.8 billion) posted record highs in 2019. Given a low level of Iranian funds in domestic stock markets, the possibility of capital flight or damages to the financial soundness1 Five joint response units: financial markets, international oil prices, real economy, overseas construction and overseas logistics2 KOSPI: Jan. 6 (2,155.1, -0.98%) → Jan. 7 (2,175.5, +0.95%) → Jan. 8 (2,151.3, -1.11%)USD/KRW FX rate: January 6. (1,172.1, +5.0 won)
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Jan 08, 2020
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Dec 23, 2019
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Dec 23, 2019
- FSC Reforms Non-Face-to-Face Customer ID Guidelines for Corporations and Foreigners
- The Financial Services Commission unveiled a revised guideline for non-face-to-face customer identification on December 20, which is aimed at promoting online financial transactions by corporations and foreigners.BACKGROUNDThe non-face-to-face customer identification was first introduced to the banking sector in December 2015 for the purpose of improving consumer convenience. It was a major shift from the face-to-face identification method which had been in place for more than 20 years since the implementation of the real name financial transactions in August 1993. In February 2016, the non-face-to-face identification expanded to the non-banking sector (e.g. financial investment business and mutual banks).In January 2017, the FSC allowed corporations to open a new bank account though non-face-to-face customer identification; however, for corporations, only one representative could be identified through non-face-to-face identification method to prevent financial crimes, such as identify theft.Since its introduction, the number of new bank accounts opened through non-face-to-face customer identification has continued to increase. CHANGESFor corporations, opening a new corporate bank account by legal representatives, such as an employee or a board member, through non-face-to-face customer identification will be permitted. Legal representatives must present a power of attorney to financial companies for verification purposes.For foreigners, the alien registration card may be used to verify identity when opening a new bank account through non-face-to-face customer identification.SCHEDULEThe changes will go into effect on January 1, 2020, although each financial institution will determine whether and when to adopt non-face-to-face customer identification service for corporations. In January 2020, banks and financial investment sectors will draw up operational guidance in that regard.* Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Dec 19, 2019
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Dec 18, 2019
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Dec 16, 2019
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Dec 16, 2019
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Dec 16, 2019
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Dec 12, 2019
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Dec 10, 2019
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Dec 05, 2019
- Measures to Improve Management of Risk Exposure in Project Finance
- The government introduced its plans to improve the management ofrisk exposure in real estate project finance on December 5.BackgroundProject financing in real estate is a financing mechanism based onthe business value of the project and the expected cash flows of the project inthe future. Due to the recent financial deepening and continuing low yields,project financing has increased significantly. Project financing provides an efficientway to finance real estate or infrastructure development projects.However, due to heavy reliance on the expected value of theproject, risk exposure is highly dependent on market conditions. Without propermanagement of risks, or in the case of a distortion of profits or risks, it maypose a threat to financial stability.Risk exposure in project financing has continued to increase especiallyin non-bank sectors since 2013. The prevalence of high-risk project financingloans, such as bridge loans, has dropped whereas the level of exposure bysecurities companies and specialized credit finance companies increased. Debtguarantees in project financing also increased as the burden of credit exposureshifted from construction companies to financial institutions.Recent TrendsAt the end of June 2019, the total amount of debt guarantees inproject financing stood at KRW28.1 trillion, out of which KRW26.2 trillion issuedby securities companies. The outstanding loan balance in project financing stoodat KRW71.8 trillion, rising on average 11.6 percent a year from KRW39.3trillion at the end of 2013. By the end of June 2019, both the default rate andthe sub-standard asset ratio continued to decline since 2013 from 13.0 percentto 1.9 percent and 16.9 percent to 3.0 percent, respectively, due to anincreased volume in project financing loans.Key MeasuresI. Improvingthe Soundness of Debt Guarantees in Project Financing► Establishing anupper ceiling on debt guaranteesUnder the current system,securities companies face no upper limits on issuing debt guarantees
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Dec 04, 2019
- Measures to Promote Fintech Scale-ups
- The FSC announced measures to promote fintech scale-ups on December 4, which includes 24 key tasks in 8 different policy areas.BACKGROUNDThe government has been promoting the fintech industry as part of its innovation-led growth strategy amid digital transformation and the 4th industrial revolution. To this end, the government has introduced a financial regulatory sandbox, open banking, regulatory reforms and budget earmarks for fintech. In order to further develop Korea’s fintech industry and its ecosystem, the government plans to implement the following fintech scale-up strategies, which builds upon the progress made so far.KEY MEASURESI. IMPROVING THE CURRENT REGULATORY SANDBOX SYSTEM► Designate more than 100 ‘innovative financial services’ by the end of March 2020, which marks the one-year anniversary of launching the regulatory sandbox► Improve rules and practices in operating the regulatory sandbox: (i) protect innovative ideas and technologies through patents and intellectual property rights (e.g. providing legal counsel or expediting patent dispute resolution); (ii) impose a minimum level of additional requirements on ‘innovative financial services;’ and (iii) grant continuation of designation status through MA► Provide continuous support (e.g. costs on testing, security inspection, office space, etc.) for the entire cycle from designation of ‘innovative financial services’ to commercialization of innovative financial solutions.► Set up a supervisory framework tailored to the promotion of fintech firms – e.g. conducting supervision and inspection aimed at providing counseling or establishing regulatory grounds to grant fintech firms immunity in case of minor violations.II. PERFORMING REGULATORY REFORMS TO FACILITATE FINTECH DEVELOPMENT► Promote a flexible and dynamic regulatory environment where testing of ‘innovative financial services’ can lead to commercialization and ultimately to an improvement in regulatory reforms.► Con
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Nov 29, 2019
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Nov 28, 2019
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Nov 28, 2019
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Nov 27, 2019
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Nov 27, 2019
