South Korea\'s financial authorities expanded the scope of eased network separation rules for AI use to secondary financial institutions and electronic financial business operators. The number of firms to be selected rises to as many as 15, and eligibility thresholds are lowered. Selected institutions can use external AI and security SaaS after putting alternative controls in place. Industry expectations are mixed, with some firms cautious. Global fintech investment rose to $103.1 billion in the first half, with focus expected to shift to AI and financial infrastructure.

More than a month after South Korea began enforcing guidelines that ban duplicate listings in principle while allowing exceptions, some long-delayed listing reviews have resumed and IPO supply in September is expected to increase. Investor appetite for IPOs remains weak, with most newly listed firms in August trading below their offer prices. New rules impose duties on parent boards and require subsidiary independence, while market watchers cite softer demand in bookbuilding and subscriptions.