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Savings banks sustain profit after PF cleanup; expanding loans for lower-credit borrowers remains task

South Korea\'s savings banks posted 333.8 billion won in net profit in the first quarter, extending a return to the black helped by lower provisions and cleanup of problem property project financing. Some operating indicators improved and capital ratios stayed solid, but delinquency and non-performing loan ratios rose. Lending to mid- and lower-credit borrowers shrank by more than 1 trillion won from a year earlier, raising concerns about weakening support for households and small businesses.