Viva Republica, operator of Toss, has set up a subsidiary to enter the online investment-linked finance business and is preparing to apply for registration with the Financial Services Commission. The online lending industry warns that if a large loan comparison platform also supplies products, conflicts of interest and fair competition issues may arise. The issue was raised during parliamentary audits. Toss says separating the business into a separate entity and applying the same standards will reduce conflicts.

Korean financial holding firms and banks continued to release third-quarter results, with Woori Bank posting its biggest quarterly net profit on record and Hana Financial Group lifting year-to-date profit on higher fee income. Brokerages faced weakening profitability as trading value fell and market rates rose, adding valuation loss pressure in trading. The Bank of Korea held its policy rate at 3.00 percent, while competition in retirement pensions and expanded support for small firms continued.