South Korean brokerages that posted record first-half results are expected to see a sharp slowdown in third-quarter earnings, hit by weaker brokerage revenue as stock trading turnover falls and by valuation losses in trading amid higher market rates and greater volatility. Investment banking is also seen offering limited support. Among five major firms, combined controlling shareholder net profit is forecast at about 1.063 trillion won, down 44.9 percent from a year earlier and 76.6 percent from the previous quarter.

A string of hacking incidents in South Korea’s financial sector has led to confirmed personal data leaks at savings banks and mutual finance groups, prompting authorities to step up inspections and security requirements. Banks are moving to raise cybersecurity spending and expand fraud prevention systems using AI. Market volatility and a steep stock selloff also drew a policy response. Political debate intensified over postponing digital asset taxation and regulating exchange shareholders.