As of the end of the second quarter, the balance of industry loans at deposits-taking institutions was 2,065.3 trillion won, according to data compiled on the 7th. That was up 30.6 trillion won from the end of the previous quarter. The increase narrowed slightly from the first quarter. Industry loans in the first quarter had increased by 30.8 trillion won. "Industry loans" compiled by the Bank of Korea are the sum of loans to large corporations, small and midsize corporations, and sole proprietors, excluding household loans.
According to "Industry loans at deposits-taking institutions for the second quarter of 2026" released by the Bank of Korea (BOK) the same day, the increase in manufacturing loans fell to 8.4 trillion won in the second quarter from 11 trillion won in the first quarter. Corporations managed their end-of-half financial ratios, and some corporations repaid loans early.
By contrast, the increase in services loans rose to 19.9 trillion won from 19.1 trillion won over the same period. Loans grew mainly in real estate and finance and insurance. In real estate, loans increased as lending conditions improved, including higher guarantee limits for real estate project financing (PF). In finance and insurance, loans increased as the market margin rate required when conducting derivatives transactions was raised.
A Bank of Korea (BOK) official said, "Industry loans in the second quarter showed a similar growth trend to the first quarter," adding, "The banks' strategy to expand 'productive finance' (in the third quarter) is a factor boosting loan growth, but risk management and the like are restraining factors, so we need to see how much (going forward) they will actually increase."