Press Releases - Financial Services Commission

Press Releases

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Apr 20, 2021

Financial Authorities to Hold Online Information Sessions for 'Innovative Financial Service' Providers

The FSC announced that the financial authorities will hold online information sessions on the regulatory sandbox programbetween April and June for forty-two innovative financial service providers that showed interest in attending. The online information session (online.fintech.or.kr) will be held on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from April 21 until June 2 in order to more actively communicate with businesses and seek solutions to their needs. Officials from the FSC, FSS and Korea Fintech Center will answer questions and provide explanations on the additional benefits granted by the revised Special Act on Support for Financial Innovation which is scheduled to go into effect from July 21. The innovative financial service providers that are not able to join in the April-May sessions and wish to participate in online information sessions scheduled for June-July should apply at online.fintech.or.kr by Thursday, May 20, 2021. In the second half of this year, the authorities plan to hold information sessions for fintech labs operated by financial institutions. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 19, 2021

Improved Securities Lending System for Retail Investors to Come into Place from May 3

The FSC announced that the improvements made to the securities lending system for retail investors will come into place from May 3, 2021. From May 3, seventeen securities firms will begin to provide stock lending services in the amount of about KRW2 trillion to KRW3 trillion. Retail investors wishing to participate in stock short selling are required to complete pre-learning and mock trading programs which will be available from April 20. Based on the level of experience of individual investors, the maximum investment amount allowed for short selling will be differentially applied. Key Details Retail investors access to stock short selling has been limited as a shortage in securities lending led to the decline in the demand for stock borrowing and number of securities firms offering such service. As of the end of February 2020, securities lending services were available from only six securities firmsin the amount of about KRW20.5 billion. In order to improve retail investors access to stock short selling, the FSC and financial investment businesses will begin to offer more opportunities for stock borrowing. A total of twenty-eight securities companies will provide securities lending services. However, as these companies have different schedules for completing the development of their IT system, from May 3, stock lending service will be available from seventeen securities firms first with the rest expected to join within this year. As such, it is expected that a total of KRW2.4 trillion in stock lending will become available for KOSPI 200 and KOSDAQ 150 stocks on May 3.For retail investors, a maximum of sixty days of stock borrowing period is guaranteed unlike institutional or foreign investors. Safeguards and Regulations for Retail Investors The following safeguards have been put in place to bolster investor protection against excessive loss. First, investors should have securities lending agreements with their trading firms and those without an existing account nee
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Apr 19, 2021

Debtor Assistance with Legal Representation to Bolster Inclusive Finance

The FSC announced that the authorities will work to improve the debtor assistance program with legal representation through increased support, better accessibility and stronger coordination with investigative authorities in order to meet the rising demand for assistance and bolster financial inclusion. From January 28, 2020, the debtor assistance program that makes available legal representation service at free of charge began to provide support to the victims of illegal and excessive debt collection practices and the borrowers who took out loans with interest rates exceeding the maximum legal lending rate. In 2020, 632 individuals applied for assistance in 1,429 cases and free legal representation was provided in a total of 915 cases through the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (KLAC). In 893 cases, the KLAC-registered lawyers provided legal representation to stand in place of the debtor in respond to excessive debt collection methods, whereas in 22 other cases, legal representation was provided for filing lawsuits on behalf of debtors for excessive interest rate charge. In 2021, demand for support has increased as legal assistance has already been provided to 881 cases as of the end of March. In addition, a four-percentage-point reduction in the maximum legal lending rate is scheduled to take effect in July 2021. As such, the authorities plan to increase support, improve accessibility for both mobile and on-site applicants and strengthen coordination with the KLAC and investigative authorities to help strengthen financial inclusion. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 16, 2021

Authorities to Work for Minimizing Drawbacks from Citigroup's Consumer Banking Exit Plan

According to Citigroups first quarter earnings report announced on April 15, Citigroup plans to pursue exits from its consumer franchises in thirteen markets including Koreaand to shift its strategy toward wealth management and institutional businesses in Asia. Until its business reshuffling plan becomes finalized, Citibank Korea is expected to provide the same level of services to its customers. With regard to Citigroups announcement, the FSC and the FSS will closely monitor developments while seeking necessary measures to minimize possible drawbacks that may be inflicted upon consumers, maintain stability with regard to the job situation and ensure protection of consumer data. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 15, 2021

FSC Chairman Holds Talks with Relevant Officials Ahead of Partial Resumption of Stock Short-selling

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo met with officials from relevant institutions and heads of securities companies on April 15 and held talks on the preparatory measures for partial resumption of stock short-selling on May 3,recent stock market trends and virus prevention measures taken by the financial investment industry. The following is a summary of Chairman Euns remarks. (KOSDAQ Surpassing 1,000 pts) KOSDAQ recently surpassed 1,000 points for the first time since September 2000. Throughout the years, the authorities have worked to improve the KOSDAQ market for venture capitals and startups by allowing lossmaking companies to be listed and introducing technology-based preferential listing system. As a result, KOSDAQ emerged as a distinct market for investors with many businesses with significant future growth potential being listed. The Korea Exchange, relevant institutions and the financial investment industry have put efforts to improve the investment infrastructure and seek out promising businesses. Through the Korean New Deal initiative and the government-wide effort to cultivate more innovative businesses, the government will work to support venture startups and innovative firms in KOSDAQ market to further strengthen our economy. (Ensuring Investor Trust in the Market) It is important to ensure that investors have confidence and trust about the fairness in the market. In order to root out illegal and unfair marketing or advising practices in stock markets, the government has been operating a response team since October 2020. The response team will continue to work to prevent inappropriate activities and improve regulations. Prior to the partial resumption of short-selling on May 3, the authorities will continue to work to resolve various concerns of investors. Out of the four regulatory improvement measures announced earlier, stronger penalties on illegal short-selling activities and improved rules for market makers have already become effective. The two remaining m
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Apr 14, 2021

Three More 'Innovative Financial Services' Added to Financial Regulatory Sandbox

The FSC designated three additional financial solutions as innovative financial services on April 14, bringing the total number of designated services to 142 since the regulatory sandbox was first launched on April 1, 2019. The FSC also made changes to the supplemental requirements of four previously selected businesses and extended the regulatory exemption period on eleven other services. Overview of Newly Added Innovative Financial Services 1.A blockchain-based digital real estate securities platform which is expected to expand retail investors investment opportunities in small- and medium-sized commercial properties (Lucentblock 6 trust companies, expected in H2 2021) 2.A digital real-name verification service for bank branch visitors which does not require customers to present their physical ID verification cards (Busan Bank, expected in Jun. 2021) 3. A mobile-based contactless bank account opening service using facial recognition technologies that is expected to boost consumer convenience for those who are unfamiliar with using video calls for identity verification purposes (KEB Hana Bank, expected in Sep. 2021) * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 14, 2021

Authorities Hold Meeting on Improving Rules on the Suspension of Licensing Review Process

The FSC announced that the financial development review committee held a second subcommittee meeting on policy and global finance issues on April 13. Main issues discussed by the subcommittee meeting include the measures to improve rules on the suspension of licensing review process and current conditions on household debt. The rules on the suspension of licensing review process applied to all financial sectors are aimed at preventing the issuance of license to legally disqualified entities that may be undergoing an investigation or lawsuit at the time of their licensing review process. However, as the financial authorities are unable to predict the outcome of their investigation or lawsuit, there has been a problem of delays in the licensing review process for indefinite periods of time. In this regard, the FSC put forward the following measures to improve the rules(a) improving the consistency and predictability of suspension by introducing more specific criteria for suspending the review process, (b) preventing indefinite delays in the suspension period by requiring the authorities to regularly check the appropriateness of resuming the licensing review process and (c) continuing with the licensing review process after a certain period based on the facts available up to that point. With regard to the current household debt situation, the subcommittee members emphasized the importance of managing gross debt level as household debt has increased amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the subcommittee members also talked about the importance of continuing to provide financial support for non-homeowners to strengthen the housing ladder especially for the working class and young adults. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 14, 2021

Household Loans, March 2021

The outstanding balance of household loansin all financial sectors rose KRW9.1 trillion from the previous month at the end of March 2021 (up 8.4% year-on-year). The household loan balance increased KRW6.5 trillion in the banking sector and KRW2.6 trillion in the non-banking sector. All financial sectors (y-o-y): +8.5% (Jan 2021) +8.5% (Feb 2021) +8.4% (Mar 2021) By type, mortgage loans increased KRW6.5 trillion in March, growing at a slower rate compared with the previous month (up KRW7.8 trillion y-o-y). Mortgage lending and jeonseloans declined due to a slowdown in housing market transactions. Other types of loans grew KRW2.6 trillion, declining from KRW3.9 trillion a year ago. Credit-based lending fell significantly compared to the end of previous year as lenders tightened control over credit risks and the demand for stock investment subsided. The government will closely monitor trends in household loans and work on policies to induce a soft-landing of the household debt-related risks. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 13, 2021

7th Digital Finance Meeting Discusses Guidelines on the Use of AI Technologies in Financial Services

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 7th consultative body meeting on digital finance via teleconference on April 13 and discussed potential risks of digital transformation in financial sectors, establishing guidelines on the use of AI technologies in financial services and plan for the operation of the consultative body subcommittees. At the meeting, Vice Chairman Doh spoke about the progress made by the consultative body meetings as they helped to resolve differences of interests between big techs, fintechs and financial companies. Amid a deepening digital convergence taking place throughout the economy, Vice Chairman Doh stressed the importance of continuing with efforts to seek innovative solutions in financial sectors. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs remarks. (Digital Transformation and Potential Risks in Financial Sectors) Digital transformation is an inevitable change throughout the world. Although there are positive effects, such as expanded consumer choice and increased efficiency, there also needs to be policy efforts to prepare for potential risks. As such, the FSC will first strengthen risk management on the impact of a growing number of new players entering the financial markets. As competition between big techs and financial institutions deepens, the authorities will keep a close eye on for any changes in their sales behavior, potential damages to consumers and the possibility of debilitating soundness of financial companies. Second, the FSC will lay the groundwork upon which new technologies can be used safely. The authorities will work to ensure transparency and fairness in the process of using AI and other innovative technologies in financial services, while closely inspecting for the possibility of skewness which may result from financial companies using similar algorithms. Third, the authorities will closely monitor financial sector risks, such as the possibility of risk transfer in the process of non-financial firms engaging in fi
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Apr 13, 2021

Government Approves Revised Law to Support Innovative Financial Services

The government approved the revision to the Special Act on Support for Financial Innovation during a cabinet meeting held on April 13 to make improvements to the financial regulatory sandbox program and support innovative financial service providers. The revised Act allows innovative financial service providers to file requests for regulatory improvements while extending the period of regulatory exemption for an additional year and six months if the authorities decide to accept the request and make relevant changes to the regulation. Key Revisions (Filing Request for Regulatory Improvement) The innovative financial service providers may file a request for regulatory improvement to the FSC and other relevant authorities three months prior to the expiration of their designation status. (Establishing Specific Procedures for Review Process) Upon receiving a request for a regulatory improvement, the FSC or other relevant authority will introduce the matter to the relevant committee to decide the necessity of regulatory reform and make relevant changes to the regulation. (Extension of Regulatory Exemption Period) Upon the authoritys decision to make relevant changes to the regulation, the regulatory exemption period applied to the innovative financial service will be extended for up to an additional year and six monthsfrom the time of the expiration of their designation status. Schedule The revised Act will take effect from July 21, 2021 after the promulgation on April 20. The FSC will work to ensure a smooth implementation of the revised law. At the same time, the authorities will help to better inform innovative financial service providers about the changed rules taking place. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 08, 2021

Meaningful Improvements in Financial Services Made Possible by Financial Regulatory Sandbox

The FSC announced key achievements and progress in the operation of the financial regulatory sandbox program on April 8. Background The financial regulatory sandbox program was launched on April 1, 2019 to promote competition and innovation in the financial industry while improving convenience for consumers. The sandbox program allows businesses designated as innovative financial service providers to enjoy regulatory exemptions for up to four years, so that they can test their innovative business ideas and technologies. In addition, the revised Special Act on Support for Financial Innovation allows designated firms to request regulatory improvements and the government may decide to grant an additional regulatory exemption period of one year and six months. Since April 1, 2019, the FSC has designated 139 innovative financial services in total with 78 such services currently being tested in the market and a total of 108 innovative financial services expected to be in service within the first half of 2021.For innovative services that have been tested to bring about significant consumer convenience and guaranteed security, the government has worked to improve regulations in a prompt manner. Out of 68 such regulations, improvements have been made to 14 of them with plans to revamp 22 regulatory items currently being prepared. For innovative businesses, comprehensive support and consulting is being provided through the Fintech Center Korea, from the stage of sandbox program application to testing to service launch. Chairmans Remarks (Progress in Financial Regulatory Sandbox) The financial regulatory sandbox program has become an essential policy to promote innovation in the financial industry and help foster fintechs. Bold attempts at innovation through the sandbox program have led to meaningful changes in our daily lives. First, the public is experiencing significant financial innovation in their daily economic activities. The number of users of innovative financial serv
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Apr 08, 2021

Government to Set up Diagnosis-Response Framework for COVID-19 Financial Measures

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang held the 38th financial risk assessment meeting via teleconference on April 8 to review risk factors in the economy and financial markets and discuss the establishment of a diagnosis-response framework for COVID-19 financial support measures. The following is a summary of Vice Chairman Dohs remarks. (Current Economic and Market Situation) There are signs of an economic recovery this year with strong exports and improvements in industrial output. The expectation for recovery is also growing as international organizations have revised up their growth forecasts for 2021. However, as the number of new infection cases has been on the rise recently, many small-sized businesses and self-employed are still experiencing difficulties. At the same time, there are rising concerns about uncertainties in financial markets as liquidities around the world have grown to unprecedented levels. In this regard, the IMF and the FSB suggested the importance of risk management in financial sectors while also stressing the need to maintain adequate provision of financial support. Major economies are gradually adjusting their policies. The Chinese government is seeking to control liquidities and property market overheating. The US and Japan have rolled back some of the financial support measures while continuing with policies for recovery. Against this backdrop, the Korean government has also sought multidimensional ways to improve the COVID-19 financial response measures with a mid- to long-term perspective. As such, todays meeting will discuss ways to improve our COVID-19 financial response framework. (Diagnosis-Response Framework on COVID-19 Financial Measures) The government will set up a diagnosis-response framework on COVID-19 financial measures. First, a working group will be established to systematically and regularly monitor various indicators on virus prevention and quarantine, the real economy and financial sectors. Based on the working groups diagnosis
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Apr 01, 2021

Insurance Costs to be Lowered and Choices Expanded for Designated Drivers

As a part of the governments efforts to improve the rights of essential workers, the FSC announced that the insurance cost burdens of designated drivers will be lowered with more choices offered for personal insurance subscription online. Beginning in April, the number of designated driver matching agencies joining the designated drivers personal insurance checking system will be expanded to cover nearly eighty to ninety percent of the market. This will help resolve the problem of designated drivers who already carry personal insurance having to subscribe for another group insurance coverage through a driver matching agency. Previously, the agencies had no mechanism of checking whether the listed drivers were carrying their own personal insurance coverage, so that they required drivers to subscribe to group insurance coverage offered through their agency. On the part of designated drivers with personal coverage, this resulted in heavy cost burdens as well as duplication in insurance coverage. As more agencies are joining the system, the cost burdens of designated drivers who are listed through multiple agencies will be lowered by about KRW1 million per year. In addition, there will be expanded choices and increased convenience for designated drivers as insurers will begin to offer online subscription services with lower premiums beginning on April 6. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Apr 01, 2021

FSC Chairman Meets with Bank Chiefs and Urges Cooperation on Consumer Safeguard Measures

FSC Chairman Eun Sung-soo held a meeting with heads of major banks on April 1 to discuss various issues and seek cooperation on the implementation of new consumer safeguard measures. At the meeting, Chairman Eun talked about the heightened responsibilities of banks as well as the more deliberate sales process that is required by the new consumer safeguard measures which can be cumbersome to both consumers and bank employees. To help resolve this problem, Chairman Eun suggested that financial institutions can inform their customers about the changes taking place in a more proactive manner to mitigate confusions and quickly become accustomed to the new practices. In this regard, Chairman Eun said that the authorities will provide active support through close communication with the industry. Chairman Eun also spoke about other issues with bank chiefs, such as the extension of maturity extension and payment deferral for small merchants and SMEs, taking into account businesses potential for recovery when evaluating their credit ratings, the household debt management plan, expanding the contribution base for microfinance services, strengthening efforts for vishing prevention and working to stamp out speculation in the real estate market. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Mar 31, 2021

Legal Framework on the Supervision of Non-holding Groups to Allow Preemptive Risk Management

The FSC introduced the supervisory regulation on non-holding financial groups on March 31 as a final step in setting up the legal framework on the supervision of financial conglomerates. The FSC first introduced the best practice guidelines on the supervision of financial conglomerates in July 2018 and has carried out oversight on the financial soundness of non-holding financial groups through administrative guidance. The enactment of the new legislation (the Act hereinafter) in December 2020 paved the way for establishing legal foundations for the supervision of non-holding financial groups.As the Act is scheduled to go into effect on June 30, 2021, the authorities will put up the supervisory regulation for advance notice from April 1 to April 21, scheduled to go into effect on the same day as the Act after an approval from the FSC. The supervisory regulation contains specific details about the designation of non-holding groups, internal control and risk management requirements, capital adequacy standards, rules and procedures for reporting and disclosure and assessment criteria for risk management. The new legal framework on the supervision of financial conglomerates takes into account international standards as well as the regulatory experiences gained from the past two years. The authorities expect that the new Act will help enhance the management of group-wide risks in a more systematic and effective way, thereby allowing a more preemptive management of systemic risks in the financial markets. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Mar 31, 2021

Improving Rules on Credit Business to Expand Financing Opportunities for Lower Income Groups

The FSC announced its plans to improve rules on credit business to make sure that financing opportunities are sufficiently provided to lower income groups even after the four percentage point reduction in maximum legal lending rate takes effect in July. Along the same line, the authorities will continue to work on the measures to stamp out illegal predatory lending as planned. Key Measures I. Lowering fees to help reduce lending costs The maximum brokerage fees will be lowered by one percentage point. For loans of up to KRW5 million, the fee will be reduced from four percent to three percent. For loans in excess of KRW5 million, the current fee of KRW200,000 plus three percent of the amount in excess of KRW5 million will be reduced to KRW150,000 plus two percent of the amount in excess of KRW5 million. II. Easing Regulations on Selective Credit Businesses Among the registered entities, the authorities will select credit businesses that have no records of violating regulations and are focused on lending to lower income groups to offer them an array of regulatory incentives with the aim of ultimately making more credit lending opportunities available to lower income groups. The incentives will include fundraising opportunities through banks, allowing their loan services to be put up on online loan brokerage platforms along with the mainstream loans and increasing the total asset threshold from the current tenfold of equity capital. III. Improving Efficiency in Consumer Protection through Tightened Supervision Regulatory supervision will be strengthened to close loopholes in consumer protection. For the registered entities, the authorities will seek to introduce new monetary sanctions in place of the current three-month suspension of business operation, prevent unfair lending contracts by strengthening supervision on loan agreements and newly create a registration qualification that requires credit businesses to maintain a minimum number of regular employees. Other mea
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Mar 30, 2021

FSC Announces Plans to Improve and Diversify Microfinance Services

The FSC announced plans to expand and diversify microfinance opportunities for individuals with low credit backgrounds on March 30 as a follow-up to the announcement on the revised maximum legal lending rate that is scheduled to go into effect from July 7. Key Details I. Expanding Microfinance Opportunities - Temporarily provide KRW300 billion in alternative lending options for those who currently use loans with interest rates above the twenty percent threshold - Provide a two percent reduction in interest rates for Sunshine Loan 17and expand incentives for those paying back diligently - Increase the availability of Sunshine Loan Youth by KRW100 billion and temporarily provide KRW5 million in lump-sum payment to new users - Improve the employment-based microloan product for individuals with low credit standing and low income II. Introducing New Microfinance Opportunities - Expand the contribution base (which is currently limited to mutual finance and savings banks only) and establish a steady fundraising structure for microfinance services by opening up the scope of contributors to all financial sectors including banks, insurers, credit finance firms, etc. - Launch a new banking sector-based microloan product (Sunshine Loan Bank) which will help build a bridge to the mainstream finance sector through credit score improvements, etc. - Launch a new credit finance sector-based microloan product (Sunshine Loan Card) which will help improve convenience for those with low credit standing III. Improving Effectiveness of Microfinance - Strengthen connection between microfinance and welfare, employment and debt adjustment programs - Strengthen connection between microfinance and financial education, credit debt management consulting, etc. -Strengthen connection between microfinance and the automatic dormant account inquiry system, etc. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Mar 30, 2021

Authorities to Closely Monitor Illegal and Suspicious Activities Linked to Property Market Speculation

Vice Chairman Doh Kyu-sang presided over the kick-off meeting of the special financial response team on March 30 as a part of the government-wide effort to root out speculation in the real estate market. The financial response team will be chaired by the Vice Chairman of the FSC and made up of about one hundred officials from the Korea Financial Intelligence Unit (KoFIU), Financial Supervisory Service, Korean Federation of Banks and Korea Credit Information Services. It will serve as a financial sector control tower in the governments efforts to prevent speculation in the real estate market. More specifically, the special financial response team will carry out inspections on lending practices, suspicious transactions and so on while also looking into areas for regulatory improvements. At the meeting, Vice Chairman Doh stated that controlling speculation in the property market remains one of the top priorities of the financial sector and laid out following agendas for the operation of the team. First, the authorities will carry out inspections on existing loans that are suspected to be linked to speculation and report immediately to the investigative authority upon finding any unlawful activities. Second, in close coordination with the real estate market monitoring agency that is soon to be established, the authorities will set up a monitoring system that targets particular regions and financial institutions with sudden hikes in suspected cases. Until then, the KoFIU will maintain close monitoring and share relevant information with the investigative authority. Third, there will be stringent penalties without exception when violations are found in the process of issuing land loans. Fourth, the authorities will work to improve the relevant rules on non-housing mortgage loans and include the measures in the household debt management plan that is expected to be announced in April. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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Mar 30, 2021

New Regulations on Stock Short Selling to Take Effect from April 6

The government approved the revisions to the Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA) during a cabinet meeting held on March 30. The amendments and the revised FSCMAwill take effect on April 6. (Penalty standards) The revised FSCMA created the imposition of penalty surcharges on illegal short sale activities. Specific amounts for monetary sanctions will be determined through comprehensive consideration of the total amount of short orders and profits gained from the illegal short sale activity. (Record keeping requirement on securities lending agreements) The revised FSCMA requires short sellers to keep their securities lending agreements for five years to be presented promptly to the relevant authorities upon request. As such, the Enforcement Decree will be revised to prescribe specific criteria to be maintained, including information on stock items, number of shares, transaction dates, counterparties, lending periods, fee rates, etc. It also requires the maintenance of transactions data stored in an electronic transaction processing platform or other format that is not susceptible for alteration. (Restriction on short sellers participation in capital increase) The revised FSCMA restricts short sellers from participating in a companys capital increase via issuing new shares once the company has made such a plan public, except in certain cases. As such, the Enforcement Decree will be revised to determine a specific time period wherein the short sellers participation in capital increase is restricted as well as specific cases for exception as specified below. If an investor has shorted a companys stocks during the restriction period, the investor cannot participate in the companys capital increase, except for the cases where the short selling is deemed to have no unjust effects on the issuing price as stated below. - Restriction Period: From one day after the disclosure of the companys capital increase plan until the dete
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Mar 30, 2021

Maximum Legal Lending Rate to be Lowered from 24% to 20% from July 7

The FSC announced that the maximum legal lending rate will be lowered from the current twenty-four percent to twenty percent starting from July 7 this year as the government approved the amendments to the relevant lawsduring a cabinet meeting held on March 30. In order to minimize the possibility of negative impact on individuals with low credit scores, the FSC plans to make available a sufficient level of microfinancing opportunities to vulnerable groups, improve rules on credit businesses while working to prevent illegal predatory lending practices and work to expand the supply of mid-range interest rate loans to borrowers with low credit standing. Financial institutions and credit businesses are encouraged to reduce their lending rates in excess of the twenty percent limit on a voluntary basis. The authorities will closely monitor the lending rates while working to inform the public about the change in the maximum lending rate. * Please refer to the attached PDF for details.
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