Finance

Korean banks\' interest income tops 60 trillion won for first time; net profit hits record

South Korean banks\' interest income topped 60 trillion won for the first time, while net profit hit a record, data showed. The Financial Supervisory Service said 2025 net profit rose 8.2 percent from a year earlier to 24.1 trillion won. Interest income increased 1.8 percent to 60.4 trillion won as interest-earning assets expanded despite a 0.06 percentage point fall in net interest margin.

Finance

FSS holds emergency meeting with brokerage executives, urges stronger margin loan risk controls

South Korea\'s Financial Supervisory Service urged brokerages to strengthen investor guidance and risk management for margin loans to prevent losses from leveraged investing amid recent stock market volatility linked to the Middle East. The watchdog said margin loan and forced-selling volumes were manageable but could become risk factors as volatility rises. It called on firms to review credit limits, share best practices and be cautious with interest-rate changes or fee promotions that could encourage investors.