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Aug 09, 2011
- Temporary Ban on Short Selling
- The Korean stock market has declined for six consecutive days since August 2, amid growing concerns over the possibility of U.S. economic recession and spreading of the European fiscal crisis.*KOSPI: 2172.31p (Aug. 1) → 1801.35p (Aug. 9), ∆370.96p (∆ 17.1%)In particular, over two days from August 8 to 9, the KOSPI has dropped 142.4 points, or7.44 % as the aftershock of the downgrade of the U.S. sovereign rating significantly increased volatility in the market.*There were the 5-minute suspensions of trading in the KOSPI market (“sidecars”) and the 20-minute suspensions of the Kosdaq market (“circuit breakers”) for two consecutive days.Short sales are significantly increasing in the falling markets, spreading market anxiety. The amount of short sales, which was KRW100 billion per day on average in the first half of this year, has recently surged over KRW 400 billion, exceeding the previous record high of KRW 234.6 billion since September 2008. Short sellers are mostly foreigners and institutions. From August 2 to 5, they sold an average of KRW 314.7 billion per day in short selling, accounting for 96.7% of the total short-selling transactions.Against this backdrop, the FSC has decided to temporarily ban short selling of all listed stocks in the Korea Exchange and Kosdaq markets for three months from August 10 to November 9.* In response to the global financial crisis in 2008, the FSC banned short selling of all listed stocks, starting October 1, 2008; and lifted the ban on non-financial stocks from June 1, 2009, while keeping the ban on financial stocks.During the same period of the three months, the FSC will temporarily ease restrictions on the amount of equities that securities issuers can buy back their own.* Please read the attached file for details.
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Jul 26, 2011
- Revision Bill of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act
- BACKGROUNDThe Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (“FSCMA”) was established in 2007 as a comprehensive overhaul of capital markets regulations in order to promote autonomy and innovation in capital markets.Since the FSCMA took effect in February 2009, however, we had to weather the impacts of the global financial crisis. As a result, we still fell short of bringing about innovative changes that we initially intended with the enactment of the FSCMA such as creation of globally competitive investment banks (IBs).Meanwhile, after the financial crisis, global discussions on strengthening financial regulations and global coordination have been underway; and now is the time for us to domestically carry out what we have discussed at the global level.Against this backdrop, we see this is the right time to lay the foundation for the future of Korea’s financial industry, while coping with current global and domestic financial issues (e.g. Europe’s fiscal crisis, Korea’s household debts).The FSC has drafted a revision bill of the FSCMA, made public for 20 days from July 27 to August 16.KEY REVISIONS TO THE FSCMAI. Development of Korean IBsFor the development of home-grown investment banks capable of financing new growth industries and large overseas projects,1. Securities companies that meet certain statutory requirements such as equity capital and risk* management capability will be qualified as investment banks (or “comprehensive financial investment services providers”).*Given that securities companies can start prime brokerage services just with a revision of the FSCMA Enforcement Decree, the minimum amount of equity capital for a security firm to provide investment banking services will be set at 3 trillion won, which could be further raised later depending on developments after the revision of the FSCMA.2. The revision bill has regulations on corporate lending, internalization of order execution in place in order to help IBs provide a comp
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Jul 20, 2011
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Jul 04, 2011
- Plans for the Soundness of Savings Banks' Management
- CURRENT CONDITIONS OF SAVINGS BANKS(Assets) As of end-March 2011, total assets of 98 mutual savings banks in operation were KRW74 trillion, down 2% from KRW75.5 trillion at the end of 2010.Mutual savings banks’ operations are still focused on extending real estate-related loans including PF loans, which accounts for 42.8%* of their total outstanding loans as of end-March 2011.(*cf. 44.7% at the end of 2010)(Deposits) As of end-March 2011, mutual savings banks received a total of KRW 64.4 trillion in deposits, down 2.8% from KRW66.3 trillion at the end of 2010.(Soundness) As of end-March 2011, the delinquency ratio of mutual savings banks rose to15.8%, up 1%p from 14.8% at the end of 2010, mainly due to rise in the delinquency ratio for real estate –related loans.*As of end-March 2011, the delinquency ratio for real estate loans rose to 20.4%, up 2.4%p from 18.0% at the end-December 2010.Despite incurred losses of savings banks, the BIS capital-adequacy ratio rose to 10.25%, up 0.42%p from 9.83% at the end of 2010, backed by continued efforts for recapitalization.* With losses of seven savings banks whose operations were suspended added, the BIS ratio combined would drop to around 7%. (as of end-March 2011, 7.57%, lower than 9.14% in June 2010)(Profitability) Due to the sluggish real estate market and growing competition in the retail financial sector, mutual savings banks recorded a total of KRW333.3 losses from July 2009 to June 2010; and KRW48.7 billion from July 2010 to March 2011.* From July 2010 to March 2011, 67 savings banks (68.4%) posted profits while 31savings banks (31.6%) incurred losses.PLANS TO ENHANCE THE SOUNDNESS OF SAVINGS BANKS’MANAGEMENT1. To help mutual savings banks’ “soft landing”- Additional purchase of non-performing PF loans from savings banks: As of June 20, the government purchased non-performing PF loans worth KRW1.9 trillion through the Restructuring Fund and singed an MOU with savings banks to help them normalize their oper
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Jun 30, 2011
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Jun 29, 2011
- Comprehensive Measures on Household Debt
- PROGRESS BRIEFThe government has responded to household debt problems with a series of policy measures in order to enhance the soundness of household debt and financial institutions and at the same time to ensure low-income households’ access to loans.- The application of debt-to-income (DTI) limits for mortgage loans, which had been temporarily eased until last March, was reinstated starting April.- Measures to Encourage Sound Competition among Credit Card Companies (Feb. 9); Measures to Curb Credit Card Companies from Excessively Expanding Their Businesses (June 7)- Measures to Ensure Low-Income Households’ Access to Loans (April 15)DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT HOUSEHOLD DEBT LEVELSAs of end-March 2011, Korea’s household debt reached KRW 801.4 trillion with an annual growth rate of 13% on average since the Asian financial crisis, exceeding the nominal GDP growth rate of 7.3% over the same period.The growth of household debt during the post-crisis period is attributed to the combination of various factors such as low interest rates, abundant liquidity, expectations about rise in real estate prices, and excessive lending by financial institutions.With all the conditions – the soundness of household debt, the proportions of loans extended to borrowers with good credit ratings, loss-absorbing capacity of financial institutions, and household asset holdings – taken into account, we see the current levels of household debt still “broadly manageable.”However, we cannot rule out a possibility that household debt problems would turn into threats to Korea’s economy and financial markets unless we take preemptive measures; therefore, the government came up with a package of measures to contain potential risks of household debt.FINANCIAL POLICY MEASURES ON HOUSEHOLD DEBT1. Measures to keep household debt growth at a manageable paceA. For the banking sector- Apply higher BIS risk weights to high-risk mortgage loans or excessive loans disproportionately concentrated
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Jun 15, 2011
- Revision of Loan-loss Reserve Requirements on Credit Card Assets
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC) made a resolution at the eleventh meeting held on15 June 2011 to revise the Regulation on Supervision of Specialized Credit Financial Business and the Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business on loan-loss reserve requirements for credit card assets.BACKGROUNDThe ratio for provisioning varies depending on the classification of the loans in question.* Applying equal loan-loss provisioning ratio for sales on credit and card debts (card loans, cash advance, revolving), which differ in delinquency ratio** and loss ratio, could be potentially problematic.*Loan loss provisioning ratio: Pass- 1.5%, precautionary- 15%, substandard- 20% doubtful- 60%, estimatedloss- 100%** Delinquency ratio as of 2010: credit sales (0.9%)/ card loans (2.2%)Total outstanding credit card debt at the end of 2010 marked a sharp increase of 19% from a year earlier, far more than a 6.3% increase in total household debt over the same period. This brings about the need for stronger risk management of credit card assets by differentiating the criteria for loan loss provisioning by card asset.REVISIONConsidering higher loss ratio on card debts than credit card sales, different ratios of loan loss provisioning will apply for each type of assets.Loan loss provisioning ratio will significantly rise for credit sales excluding pass class of assets and card debts, reflecting expected loss ratio.Revised loan loss reserve requirements (Unit: %) Classification # of months delinquent Current Revised Credit sale Credit loan Credit sale Credit loan Pass 1 1.5 1.1 2.5 Precautionary 1~3 15 40 50 Substandard 3 20 60 65 Doubtful 3~6 60 75 75 Estimated loss 6 100 100 100 The FSC expects the revision to effectively enhance credit card companies’ ability to absorb losses and prevent excessive competition to expand card debts as the burden of loan loss provisioning for card debts increases*.* According to an analysis of top five credit card companies, additional loan-loss res
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Jun 08, 2011
- Progress Report on the Private Equity Funds Market in Korea
- BACKGROUNDPrivate Equity Funds (PEFs)* were introduced to Korea’s capital markets with the amendments to the Indirect Investment Asset Management Business Act (integrated into Financial Investment Services Capital Markets Act in 2007) on December 6, 2004 in order to promote corporate restructuring, MAs and to diversify investment instruments.* A private equity fund, structured as limited partnerships, typically makes investments in companies, funded with the capital raised from a few investors, and sells companies for high returns after value improvement.The domestic PEF market has gone through its introductory period from 2004 to 2007 and is now in its take-off stage. As of end-2010, there were 148 PEFs registered with a total of KRW 26.6 trillion in committed capital.*As of end-May 2011, the number of PEF firms rose to 167 with KRW28.9 trillion in investment commitments.REVIEW OF THE PAST SIX YEARS1. Fund raisingThe number of PEFs has been on the steady rise since its introduction in 2004 and reached 148 as of end-2010.In particular, for the past three years after the global financial crisis, the number of PEFs grew by 104, up 236% compared to end-2007, as more companies determined it to be the right time for investments.Their capital commitments and actual investments also increased to KRW26.6 trillion and KRW16.7 trillion at the end of 2010, up 197% and 234%, respectively, from 2007.- Capital Commitment: Investors’ obligation to provide a certain amount of capital to a PEF for investments at the time of fund formation- Actual Investment: The sum of investments into the target made through equity financing and debt financing- Capital Drawdown: The portion of capital committed to a fund that is drawn down over time2. InvestmentsPEFs expanded their investments from Korean manufacturing companies (212) to foreign companies, which totaled 25 as of end- 2010. They are also diversifying overseas investments*, shifting their focus away from the United States and ind
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Jun 07, 2011
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May 27, 2011
- Additional Measures to Improve the Soundness of ELW Market
- BACKGROUNDAs Korea’s ELW market has rapidly grown in a short period of time, problems such as overheated investment and soaring investment losses have surfaced; therefore, the FSC introduced some measures (e.g., introduction of mandatory investor orientation course, stricter assessment of LP performance and preventive measures against potential unfair trading practices) in November 2010 to create a sound market environment for ELW trading.Since the implementation of the measures above mentioned, the trading values of ELWs declined somewhat as shown below:* KRW 1.7 trillion (Aug 2010) → KRW 1.9 trillion (Sep 2010) → KRW 2.0 trillion (Oct. 2010) → KRW 1.6 trillion (Nov. 2010) → KRW 1.4 trillion (Dec 2010) → KRW 1.3 trillion (Mar 2011)* Daily average number of suspicious trading: 0.84 cases (Oct 1, 2011 ~ Dec 10, 2010) → 0.13 cases (Dec 13, 2010 ~ Feb 28, 2011)However, despite these measures, as a result of some securities companies giving a preferential treatment to scalpers (the prosecutor pointed out that some scalpers bribed the securities companies so that they could have access to dedicated lines to route their orders faster than others), concerns about the soundness of ELW market have resurfaced. Against this backdrop, and we plan to adopt the following measures.PLANS TO IMPROVE CURRENT PRACTICES RELATED TO ELW MARKET AND ORDER ROUTING SPEED◈ Basic deposit requirement will be introduced as an entry barrier to ELW market investment and existing market practices will be revised to help investors easily compare ELW prices.◈ In regard with speed of order routing, brokerages will be allowed to provide only a reasonable range of service to make sure all investors can have a stable and equal access to trading system.I. SOUNDER MARKET ENVIRONMENT FOR ELWS1. Stronger Protection for Investors A. Basic Deposit RequirementIn most of derivatives trading, investors are required to make basic deposits in addition to margins.* However, for ELWs and buying opti
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May 19, 2011
- Korea to Chair FSB T/F on EMDE Issues
- BACKGROUNDThe G20 leaders at the Seoul Summit held in November 2010 agreed to put financial regulatory reform issues viewed from the perspectives of emerging countries on G20 agenda ,and asked the FSB, IMF and World Bank to submit a progress report prior to G20 Cannes Summit in November 2011.Recognizing that G20 discussions had been mainly focused on how to overcome financial crises in advanced countries, Korea proposed that financial issues relevant to emerging countries need to be more actively discussed at the G20 meetings.TASK FORCE FOR EMERGING MARKET AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES (EMDES)Against this backdrop, the FSB created a task force to deal with EMDE-specific issues in March 2011. The T/F is to select financial regulatory issues from the perspectives of EMDEs and make relevant policy recommendations.Groups of technical experts will be created within the T/F to conduct in-depth reviews on specific issues.** management of capital flows and foreign exchange risks, prudential oversight on global financial institutions, supervisory cooperation between home and host countries, implementation of international standards, development of capital markets, etc.The T/F is composed of international organizations (IMF, World Bank, BCBS, IAIS, IOSCO, BIS, ECB); and FSB members (Korea, the U.S., Canada, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, North Africa, Argentina, etc)Korea’s FSC was appointed as chair of the T/F in May 2011, and FSC Standing Commissioner Sangche Lee will be representing Korea and preside over discussions in the T/F.The T/F is scheduled to submit an interim report to FSB Plenary Meeting on July 19, 2011. The report will be circulated to FSB regional consultative groups for review by September, and the final report will be completed prior to G20 finance ministers’ meeting in October and G20 Summit in November.*Please read the attached file for details.
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May 17, 2011
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May 17, 2011
- Internal Rules on Corporate Governance in Banks
- BACKGROUNDCorporate governance in banks can have a significant impact on the interests of shareholders and customers; therefore, banks’ governance rules need to be made public.In order to enhance the transparency of banks’ corporate governance, the FSC has revised the Banking Act on November 18, 2010 to require banks to establish and publicize their internal rules on corporate governance. Banks are required to have internal governance rules in place by May 17, 2011 and make a public notice on their websites and the Korea Federation of Bank’s.MAIN CONTENTS OF INTERNAL GOVERNANCE RULESBanks are given discretion to stipulate more details about what they are mandated under the Banking Act (Article 23-4) and the Enforcement Decree (Article 17-4) of the Banking Act.1. Executives(mandatory) qualifications for executives, principles and procedures for appointment and retirement of executives, training programs for executives and candidates, performance evaluation(optional) qualifications for key executive members of banks e.g. president, vice president, and auditor *; developing a “management succession program”***Given that the mandatory introduction of age limits for executives might undermine the autonomy of banks’ management and basic rights of executives, whether to introduce age limitations for executives is left to the discretion of each bank. For consecutive terms, however, stricter standards based upon performance evaluation during preceding terms will be applied to candidates’ qualifications to be reappointed.** The succession program will include how to elect substitutes or successor in the absence of executives; how to select candidates for executives; and how to utilize results of training and performance evaluation, etc.2. Composition and operation of board of directors(mandatory) composition of the board, qualifications for directors, standards and procedures for appointment and retirement of directors, evaluation of performance of the board(opt
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May 02, 2011
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Apr 18, 2011
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Apr 06, 2011
- Korean Financial Market Update
- 1. Recent trends in the stock marketThe KOSPI index, which once fell to a low point of 1,923.30 on March 15 after the Japanese earthquake, has rebounded to a record-high of 2130.43 on April 5, renewing the highest point of 2,115.69 prior to the earthquake.The recent recovery in stock prices is mainly attributed to foreigners’ net buying based on their optimism that the Korean economy is relatively stable amid ongoing external uncertainties such as Japan’s earthquake and political turmoil in the Middle East.2. Foreign investors’ movement in Korean stock exchangeForeigners sold KRW 3.5 trillion in February, the biggest net sale by monthly basis since May 2010, but made net buying of KRW 1.2 trillion in March: notably, net buying of KRW 2.8 trillion after the Japanese earthquake.(By country)Starting this year, there has been a continued outflow of European funds (including the U.K), reflecting ongoing uncertainties in the European region. By contrasts inflows of funds from the U.S. and Asian region have been increasing since March.*As of March, the U.S made a net purchase of KRW 1.3 trillion, Singapore of KRW 0.7 trillion, China of KRW 0.2 trillion*Despite our concern of Japanese capital being pulled back, Japanese made a net purchase of KRW 155 billion instead(By fund-type)In February, all foreign investors except for Asian sovereign funds were net sellers. Starting March, however, the U.S. funds began to make net buying in large volume. Net buying by foreign investors was mostly made after Japan’s earthquake, and European investors (excluding European funds) also turned net buyers of Korean stocks.(By investment period)It has turned out more than half of foreign net buying made after the Japanese earthquake was made by short-term investors. (i.e. investment banks)*Short-term: IB with investment turnover ratio over 500%3. Grounds for foreign investors’ net buyingWithout wider spread of risk from the recent Japanese earthquake and the regional conflict in the
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Mar 30, 2011
- Monitoring Results of Domestic Banks' Foreign Currency Financing
- OverviewThe Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) have been operating an Emergency Financial Situation Room and holding Joint Financial Check-up Meetings as the need arose to monitor the effects of external risk factors such as earthquakes in Japan, unrest in the Middle East and European sovereign risk on domestic financial markets including foreign currency funding and management of domestic banking industry and foreign exchange market*.*Refer to the press release dated 13 March 2011, “Result of Emergency Financial Check-up Meeting in relation to earthquakes in Japan”Foreign currency funding in the wake of earthquakes in JapanAs of March 20, 2011, domestic banks including foreign bank branches operating in Korea raised U$248.8 billion through foreign currency borrowings and deposits, etc. They had U$214.5 billion in foreign currency-denominated assets under management in the forms of foreign currency loans, trade financing and foreign currency securities, etc.Since earthquakes in Japan on 11 March 2011, foreign currency funding*, mostly through foreign currency borrowings, increased by U$1 billion and foreign currency management** increased by U $2.6 billion. The increase of U$1 billion in foreign currency funding since March 11 mostly resulted from domestic banks raising more foreign currency funds.* U$1.8 billion up in foreign currency borrowings, U$800 million down in foreign currency deposits **U$1 billion up in foreign currency loans, U$1 billion up in trade financing, U$600 million up in foreign currency securitiesAn FSS survey of domestic banks and foreign bank branches conducted immediately after the earthquakes broke out in Japan found that there were no signs of capital outflows. Instead, borrowings from headquarters by domestic branches of four Japanese banks increased U$940 million from March 14 to 25 even after the breakout of earthquakes.In addition, funding conditions for domestic banks remained stable af
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Mar 22, 2011
- Financial Measures to Support Normalization of Housing Transactions
- BackgroundIn order to stimulate the depressed housing market last year, the government announced the Aug. 29 measures including the temporary easing of the application of debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for mortgage loans. Since the implementation of the Aug. 29 measures, housing transactions have rebounded while household debt including mortgage loans continuously increased.*apartment transaction volume in Seoul metropolitan area (in thousands): 9.0 (Sept 2010)→12.4 (Oct)→17.5 (Nov)→20. 2 (Dec)→16.0 (Jan 2011)→19.0 (Feb)*mortgage lending (KRW in trillions): 2.6 (average from Jan to Aug 2010)→3.3 (Sept)→3.5 (Oct)→4.4 (Nov)→5.3(Dec)→1.8 (Jan 2011)→2.8 (Feb)Key Contents1. The temporary easing of the application of DTI ratio for mortgage loans will be expired at the end of March as scheduled, and the previously-imposed DTI limit* will be reinstated starting April.*the DTI ratio: 40% for speculative area, 50% for non-speculative area in Seoul, 60% for Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.2. The FSC has also come up with complementary measures to support non-speculative housing transactions.1) The raised cap for microcredit loans (from KRW50 million to KRW100 million), exempted from the DTI regulation, will be maintained to make sure that low-income households have no difficulties financing their housing purchase.2) Preferential treatment of higher lending limit using the DTI ratio will be given towards non-grace-period repayment loans along with fixed-rate loans and principal and interest installment loans.*non-grace-period loans: +5%p*fixed-rate loans: +5%p*principal and interest installment loans: +5%p※For example, for non-speculative Seoul area with 50% DTI application, if a mortgage is given out without a grace period and with fixed-rate principal and interest installments, 65% DTI will be applied.Expected EffectsBy reinstating the DTI regulation, the FSC aims to prevent borrowers from borrowing above their means. With the DTI limit back in place, we exp
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Mar 17, 2011
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Mar 11, 2011
