Economy·1 min read·Author: Koreabw AI Desk

Delinquency Ratio on Bank Loans Rises for Second Month in August

South Korea's delinquency ratio on bank loans increased in August, raising concerns in the financial sector.

Updated: Oct 23, 2026, 06:01 AM GMT-3
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South Korea's delinquency ratio on bank loans increased in August, raising concerns in the financial sector.

The delinquency ratio on loans extended by banks in South Korea has seen a rise for the second consecutive month, according to recent data. As of the end of August, the delinquency rate for won-denominated loans was reported at 0.69%, marking an increase of 0.06 percentage points from July.

This uptick in delinquency rates signals potential risks within the financial sector, particularly concerning consumer credit. The total amount of newly overdue loans reached 3 trillion won (approximately $2.26 billion) in August, a slight decrease from the previous month.

In contrast, the write-off amount for these loans increased to 1.5 trillion won, up by 0.1 trillion won compared to July. The delinquency ratio for corporate loans was recorded at 0.86%, up 0.08 percentage points, while household loans saw a smaller increase to 0.45%.

Financial experts suggest that these trends may indicate growing financial strain among borrowers, urging a closer examination of lending practices and economic conditions.

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Tagsdelinquency ratiobank loansSouth Koreafinancial risksconsumer credit

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