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.

Shinhan Bank secured the Green Climate Fund\'s first foreign exchange derivatives transaction since the fund was established. The bank said it signed an FX derivatives deal worth about $200 million with the GCF on Aug. 6. The deal expands cooperation between the two from investment to foreign exchange. The GCF began an FX hedging programme using derivatives to reduce volatility in the value of contributions received in multiple currencies.