South Korea\'s financial authorities raised their target for household loan growth this year and NH Nonghyup Bank resumed variable-rate mortgage lending, drawing attention to whether mortgage hurdles will fall across the sector. COFIX rose for a fourth month, increasing borrowers\' interest burdens. Financial support for mid-to-low credit borrowers and small businesses is spreading, while the government and regulators advance plans tied to regional finance hubs and debate over a won stablecoin shifts toward payment, distribution and custody infrastructure.

KB Kookmin Bank introduced a savings product that offers an interest rate of up to 12.0 percent a year for customers who meet conditions tied to KB Kookmin Card usage and bank transactions. The \'KB Card Sseudam Savings\' is a six-month product with monthly deposits from 10,000 won to 300,000 won. It will sell 100,000 accounts on a first-come, first-served basis. The base rate is 2.0 percent before tax as of Aug. 21.