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Mar 05, 1999
- Restructuring the Life Insurance Sector
- In a document released on March 5, 1999, the Financial Supervisory Commission laid out the underlying scheme for restructuring the domestic life insurance sector (total assets of 92.3 trillion won as of Dec. 1998). The following summarizes some of the important features.Progress to dateInitial round of restructuring of the life insurance sector carried out in August, 1998 entailed the following measures ;- Business suspension and exit (4 cos.) ; Kukje, BYC, Taeyang, Coryo- Mandatory submission of management improvement implementation plans (7 cos.) ; Josun, Dongah, Kookmin, Hankuk, Handuk, Pacific, Doowon- Mandatory submission of LOI (7 cos.) ; Hanil, Shinhan, Hansung, Daishin, Tongyang, SK, KumhoBased on 1998 year-end results, among the 14 life insurance companies that were subject to management submission of management improvement implementation plans and LOIs, 10 companies were found to not have implemented plans as originally scheduled and were asked to promptly come up with ways to complete implementation (Jan 18 - Feb 18, 1999). It was conluded that a large number of these companies were suffering from huge losses and with deterioration in management performance of recent registered significant shortfall in solvency margin.In February, 1999 due diligence was conducted on 14 companies that were subject to further management improvement and based on these results specific companies to be placed under restructuring schemes were identified.Future TasksWithout the resolution of ailing life insurance companies, problems in the sector will only worsen and require increasingly more public funds. Although voluntary MAs within the domestic market along side takeovers by international buyers are seen as the ideal way to approach the problem, as most of the companies are under severe distress the likelihood of any voluntary consolidation is dismal and thus sell-offs to international buyers will be the main vehicle to be used.The underlying principle for the follow-up stag
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Dec 17, 1998
- Features about the new Cho Hung Bank
- 101 years young, Cho Hung Bank announced this morning a definitive agreement to merge with two Korean financial institutions, Kangwon Bank and Hyundai International Merchant Bank to form a new business entity.- Reborn as a Clean and Best BankGiven the government's expected capital injection to the Bank upon the amalgamation of the three institutions, and the enhanced management efficiencies through recent man-power reductions, drastic network consolidation and H.O. organization slim-down, the Bank will be reborn as a sound financial services group in Korea.The Bank, which has already lowered its NPL ratio to 5.2% from 10.8% by the bulk sale of non-performing loans to KAMC (Korea Asset Management Corporation), has a firm belief in the restoration of its former strong position among other financial institutions through the maximized synergy effects flowing from the merger within a short time frame.- Leading peers in sizeWith assets of over Won 62 trillion and Won 2.5 trillion in equity, the combined entity will be one of the largest banking establishments in Korea and, through the merger with a merchant banking institution, will be able to expand its deposit base and expertise in such business domains as private banking and investment banking.- Strengthened capital base through foreign capital injectionThe government's promised capital injection to the combined Bank, which is considered to be sufficient to boost the Bank's BIS Capital Adequacy Ratio to over the 10% level, will reactivate the capital inducement negotiations with those foreign financial institutions which have already expressed their keen interest in investing in the Bank. The Bank will have a more advantageous position with those foreign investors as their pre-condition of a government capital injection will have been satisfied.- Other facts about the mergerThe merger ratio will be decided by the respective institutions' net asset values as evaluated by accounting firms and stock prices. Other details
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Dec 15, 1998
- Strengthening Prudential Supervision & Regulations
- Ⅰ. Introduction1. Since the 1980s, while financial activities have become more complex and diverse at home and abroad under financial liberalization and globalization, uncertainty in financial markets has rapidly increased. Financial institutions became widely exposed to risks such as credit risk on which they had already begun to focus concern, including interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk, market risk and country risk. At the same time, as the volume of financial derivative transactions has sharply increased mainly due to the development of information technology, they have assumed even further risk.2. As we have seen through the example of the Barings case, the stability of the financial industry as a whole has deteriorated due to derivative transactions and their contagion effect. To cope with this instability, financial institutions have taken care to develop various advanced financial commodities, to establish the consolidated risk management system on the basis of market risk, and to employ elaborate risk management techniques, including Value at Risk (VAR).3. As advanced financial supervisory authorities such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in the United States and the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom have changed their supervisory policies into "risk-focused supervision", many authorities in other countries are following suit. International organizations such as the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) are trying to establish and employ international standards related to risk management to secure the soundness of financial institutions. Perhaps the best example is the Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision of the BIS.4. The need for stronger financial supervision is clear. Although Korean financial institutions have been able to continue to pursue high growth volume-orie
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Dec 07, 1998
- Agreement for the Restructuring of the Top 5 Chaebol
- Premise1. Ever since the outbreak of the economic crisis of a year ago, our economy concentrated its heart and soul toward quickly pulling itself out of the turmoil. Special attention was devoted to fixing the fundamental causes that brought about the economic crisis, which called for the overhaul of financial, corporate, labor and public sectors as well as implementation of relevant deregulation and foreign investment liberalization measures.Owing to the facilitated and bold implementation of financial sector restructuring, the financial market has been stabilized. On top of this, we now have a more harmonized labor-management relationship backed by a more flexible labor market, a more reliable social safety net, and with the privatization of the public sector as well as management improvement, public sector reform has also come a long way.2. Building on the 5 major principles for corporate restructuring agreed upon between president-elect Kim Dae-Jung and representatives of the 5 leading chaebol on January 13, 1998, corporate restructuring has also been pursued continuously. Legislative measures toward enhancing transparency of corporate management, unwinding of cross guarantees, strengthening of accountability of controlling shareholders and management have been completed.Furthermore, by lifting tax impediments, introducing the foreign investment inducement law, and fully opening the MA market to foreigners, the necessary institutional framework to facilitate restructuring is in place. 3. Riding on such institutional support, a large number of corporates were sold-off, exited, or reborn as new corporates. However, unfortunate to us all, in many instances existing management had to be replaced and unemployment rose significantly, causing economic players to suffer tremendous pain along the way. The top 5 chaebol are commended for their efforts toward pushing corporate restructuring. Especially they have derived voluntary business restructuring plan for 7 indus
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Dec 04, 1998
- Progress and Prospects of Economic Reform in Korea
- Mr. Chairman,Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen:It is my honor and pleasure to have this opportunity to share my thoughts on what Korea has accomplished since the crisis and remaining tasks for reforming our economy.About a year has passed since the crisis broke out in Korea, but the situation in Korea is already quite different. Usable foreign reserves have significantly increased to over 45 billion dollars and the composition of foreign debts has improved as well.Recently, the international community including IMF and the World Bank, praised impressive progress that Korea has made and foreign investors are coming back.Although I fully understand that there remains a lot more work to be done, let me very cautiously mention three major points which led such a remarkable progress.First, the reform has been driven by new leadership which is free from previous misconduct. The newly elected president Kim Dae Jung pledged full commitment to the market principle and made series of crucial decisions on how to react, what to do and what to not do.The newly organized Financial Supervisory Commission, headed by reform minded persons who are well equipped with theories and practices of both financial and corporate sectors but nothing to do with previous misbehavior, took charge of the whole process.Second, the restructuring program has been based upon internationally well recognized criteria and procedures. The problem faced and still facing is not cyclical but structural.Hence, we strictly excluded case by case approach but pursue full-scale fundamental reform.Moreover, we targeted the core of the problem first. For example, resolution of ailing banks was our top priority.Another example of sticking to the principle is the confirmation of the government not to handover Seoul and Korea First Bank to domestic chaebols, although it may restrict the eligibility for potential bidders and make the sale process more difficult.Finally and most importantly, the national consens
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Aug 11, 1998
- Management Improvement Measures toward Insurance Companies
- - The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), at an FSC meeting on August 11, 1998 deliberated management improvement measures for 18 life and 2 non-life insurance companies, accommodating recommendations concerning evaluation results of rehabilitation plans submitted by the appraisal committee.- For the evaluation of insurance companies' rehabilitation plans, 6 accounting firms conducted assets/liabilities due diligence. Based on these results the appraisal committee consisting of experts from the private sector evaluated the feasibility of rehabilitation plans of the insurance companies and subsequently submitted its recommendation to FSC- Major features of management improvement measureso 4 companies that are deemed to have unreasonable rehabilitation plans and thus have minimal chance of implementing them, namely Kukje Life, BYC Life, Taeyang Life and Coryo Life have been identified as non-viable financial institutions and accordingly will be subject to business suspension as of August 11, 1998. Once large life insurance companies interested in acquiring these institutions come forth, business transfer procedures including opinion hearings and acquisition approvals etc. will be carried out in due course.o 7 life insurance companies (Josun Life, Kookmin Life, Pacific Life, Handuk Life, Hankuk Life, Doowon Life, Dongah Life) with moderately reasonable rehabilitation plans and which thus are deemed to possess the capability to implement their rehabilitation plans but are not surely to satisfy minimum solvency margin requirements by September, 2000 (0%) will be required to make appropriate adjustments to rehabilitation plans and to submit related implementation plans.o 9 companies (Hanil Life, Shinhan Life, Hansung Life, Daishin Life, Tongyang Life, SK Life, Kumho Life, Haedong Fire Marine, Dongbu Fire Marine) with reasonable rehabilitation plans and which are deemed to possess the capability to implement plans with high possibility will be required to submit letter
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Aug 11, 1998
- FSC Chairman Announcement on Measures toward Insurance Co.
- 1. Management improvement measures for insurance companies- The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), at an FSC meeting on August 11, 1998 deliberated management improvement measures for insurance companies and business suspension orders toward non-viable companies.o The Financial Supervisory Commission, with input from evaluation results of the appraisal committee submitted to the Commission on August 10, 1998, deliberated on matters concerning solvency margin ratios of insurance companies and the feasibility of rehabilitation plans of 18 life and 2 non-life insurance companies and announced measures pertaining to management improvement and business suspension.- Looking into details on management improvement measures of insurance companies,o 9 companies namely, Hanil Life, Shinhan Life, Hansung Life, Daishin Life, Tongyang Life, SK Life, Kumho Life, Haedong Fire Marine and Dongbu Fire Marine, with reasonable rehabilitation plans, are deemed to possess the capability to implement plans with considerable certainty and will be required to submit letters of intent, which are to include quarterly implementation plans, within 1 month,o 7 life insurance companies namely, Josun Life, Kookmin Life, Pacific Life, Handuk Life, Hankuk Life, Doowon Life, Dongah Life, with moderately reasonable rehabilitation plans, are deemed to possess the capability to implement their rehabilitation plans. However, these companies show somewhat high deficiencies in solvency margins, whereas rehabilitation plans are deemed as likely to be affected by future external conditions and thus these companies will be required to make appropriate adjustments to rehabilitation plans and to submit related implementation plans within 1 month.o As for 4 companies that are for practical purposes insolvent and are deemed to have unreasonable rehabilitation plans and thus have a minimal chance of implementing them, namely Kukje Life, BYC Life, Taeyang Life and Coryo Life, will be subject to business suspens
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Jul 01, 1998
- Strengthening of Prudential Supervision of Foreign Exchange
- 1. BackgroundRisks accompanying foreign exchange operations are mounting in Korea due to increased multi-national transactions, financial deregulation, tougher competition among financial institutions and the introduction of derivatives.However, foreign exchange management by the Foreign Exchange Management Act has been enforced mainly through focusing on aspects of the management of external assets and liabilities.○ The supervision of foreign exchange operations, executed mainly by the central bank, has given more weight to the stability of the foreign exchange market and monetary policy, rather than to assuring the soundness of commercial banks.〓 The supervisory function was not sufficient to manage the various risks, which may arise in foreign exchange operations, such as exchange risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, etc..○ It is necessary to strengthen prudential supervision over banks' foreign exchange operations, in order to prevent recurrence of the foreign exchange crisis through efficient management of the risks inherent in foreign exchange operations.2. Contents◎ In order to efficiently manage various risks in foreign exchange operations, the Banking Supervisory Authority is taking comprehensive measures.○ The foreign currency liquidity regulation system will be modified to enforce the Maturity Mismatches(GAP) Regulation, as well as the Foreign Currency Liquidity Ratio Regulation.○ The banks will set up and manage the limits on their foreign exchange operations under the Guidelines of the Banking Supervisory Authority.○ The Banking Supervisory Authority is also strengthening its off-site surveillance by improving banks' reporting systems, in order to facilitate risk evaluation and assure the soundness of foreign exchange operations in commercial banks.1) Strengthening of supervision on liquidity riskIntroduction of the Maturity Mismatches(GAP) Regulation○ After dividing assets and liabilities into 7 buckets1) according to their r
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Jun 29, 1998
- FSC Press Release upon Ailing Bank Resolution
- ■ Final assessment results of the Bank Appraisal Committee were reported to the Financial Supervisory Commission on June 28, 1998. A special meeting of the Financial Supervisory Commission was held at 7:00 am on June 29, 1998 and utilizing input from the committee decided the following;○Banks whose rehabilitation plans are deemed feasible, such as Cho Hung Bank, Commercial Bank of Korea, Hanil Bank, Korea Exchange Bank, Peace Bank of Korea, Kangwon Bank and Chungbuk Bank each received conditional approval of rehabilitation plan and are required to submit an implementation plan containing strong management improvement plans by the end of July'○Banks whose rehabilitation plans are deemed not feasible, such as Dong Hwa Bank, Dongnam Bank, Dae Dong Bank, Chung Chong Bank and Kyungki Bank each received disapproval of rehabilitation plan and will have to transfer their assets and liabilities to Shinhan Bank, Housing Commercial Bank, Kookmin Bank, Hana Bank, Koram Bank, respectively■The government will exert utmost effort in minimizing clients' inconveniences during the course of bank resolution by implementing following measuresNot only payment settlement and deposit repayment businesses but also businesses of overdraft and bill discount will be carried out as normalIn order to restore financial market stability as soon as possible, liquidity situation will be improved and credit extention toward corporate clients of resolved banks will be enhanced1. Progress to-date■Submission of rehabilitation plans (April 30, 1998)○12 banks with BIS ratio that fell short of 8% as of December 1997 were required to submit rehabilitation plans■Accounting firms' evaluation on rehabilitation plans (May 1 - June 8, 1998)○In accordance to evaluation criteria agreed upon with the IBRD, the feasibility of the following elements were evaluated - capital adequacy, recapitalization plan, asset quality classification, reduction plan for risky assets, cost reduction scheme, managemen
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May 21, 1998
