The Korea Times
Individuals' overdraft credit loans at major commercial banks have climbed to their highest level in more than three years as investors seek funds for stock investments amid a bullish market, data showed Sunday. The balance of personal overdraft loans, so-called "minus accounts," at Korea's five major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup — stood at 40.5 trillion won ($27.64 billion) as of Thursday. Based on month-end figures, it marks the largest balance since January 2023, when the total reached 40.54 trillion won. In the three business days since the end of April, the figure increased by 715.2 billion won. In contrast, demand deposits, regarded as standby funds, have continued to decline, suggesting a possible shift of funds from bank accounts into stock investments. As of Thursday, combined demand deposit balances at the five lenders totaled 696.06 trillion won, down 501.3 billion won from the end of last month. In April alone, the balance fell by 3.36 trillion won. "As the stock market rallies, a growing number of investors appear to be using short-term liquidit
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