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Nov 08, 2011
- FSC Lifts Temporary Ban on Short Selling of Non-Financial Stocks
- The FSC decided to lift a three-month ban (August 10 - November 9) on short selling of non-financial stocks from November 10, while maintaining the ban on financial stocks for a while.Stock market volatility has been considerably subdued since August when the financial market turmoil began to unfold.** KOSPI: 2,172 (Aug.1) →1,801 (Aug. 9, short-selling ban) →1,653 (Sept. 26) → 1,919(Nov.7)However, given that potential Eurozone risks still remain such as a possibility of Greek default, growing concerns about Italy’s debt crisis, and upcoming maturity dates of PIIGS sovereign debt,* the FSC decided to maintain the short-selling ban on financial stocks vulnerable to internal and external factors.* PIIGS sovereign debt to be matured (unit: $100 million): 1,843 (4Q2011), 2,832 (1Q2012), 1,769 (2Q2012)In August, Greece, Italy, France, Spain and Belgium also banned short sales; however, Greece is the only country that banned short selling of all listed stocks as we did. The remaining four countries imposed short-selling bans on a few number of financial stocks.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Nov 04, 2011
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Oct 21, 2011
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Oct 10, 2011
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Sep 27, 2011
- Revision of Enforcement Decree of FSCMA Approved at Cabinet Meeting
- BACKGROUNDThe proposed revision of the Enforcement Decree of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (FSCMA), aimed at introducing home-grown hedge funds (tentatively named “specialized private equity funds”) to Korea’s capital markets, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, September 27, 2011.KEY CONTENTS OF THE REVISIONI. Creation of Hedge Funds1. The scope of hedge fund investors will be extended to individuals with risk-taking capability. (Article 271-2①)Currently, investments in private equity funds are allowed only to a limited number of “qualified investors” such as financial firms and pension funds. However, in order to provide more diverse investment opportunities, the revision will allow individuals who can invest KRW 500 million or more to join a hedge fund.2. The revision will bring about greater autonomy and creativity in asset management. (Article 271-2①②, Article 80⑥)(1) The requirement that private equity funds should invest more than 50% of their investments into companies under restructuring programs will be abolished so that hedge funds can invest in a wider range of assets such as securities, derivatives, and commodities.(2) Restrictions on leverage* and derivatives trading** will be eased so that hedge funds can employ more diverse investment strategies such as short selling and leverage.* Limits on leverage will be eased from 300% of fund assets to 400%.**Investments in derivatives, currently limited to 100% of fund assets in estimated maximum losses, will be allowed up to 400%, equivalent to restrictions currently applied to general private equity funds.3. A new category, “hybrid asset funds,” will be created for approval of hedge fund operations. Asset managers, securities firms and investment advisory firms that meet requirements* in equity capital, track record and expert fund managers will be given approval for hedge fund operations.(i) Hedge funds under the category of “hybrid asset funds
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Sep 18, 2011
- FSC Suspended Seven Mutual Savings Banks
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC) held a provisional meeting today and decided to suspend business operations of seven mutual savings banks – Jeil, Jeil II, Prime, Daeyeong, Ace, Parangsae, and Tomato – for six months.According to the result of the inspection by the FSS, six of the suspended savings banks – Jeil, Prime, Dae Young, Ace, Parangsae, and Tomato – were found to have their BIS capital adequacy ratio below 1%, and their debts exceed assets.As the plans for normalization submitted by the six savings banks were disapproved by the review committee, they were determined as insolvent and ordered to raise their capital adequacy ratios and normalize their businesses within 45 days in order to resume their operations.Jeil II was suspended because ①its BIS capital adequacy ratio is below 1%; ②there is a strong likelihood that the suspension of its parent company, Jeil, will lead to depositors’ bank runs, causing liquidity crunch; and ③it requested suspension.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Sep 15, 2011
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Sep 09, 2011
- FSC/FSS to Host 18th Annual Conference of the IAIS
- The Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea (FSC/FSS) will host the 18th Annual Conference of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) from September 29 to October 1, 2011, at the COEX Convention Center in Seoul. Approximately 500 insurance supervisors and industry representatives as well as senior officials from international organizations including the IMF and World Bank are expected to attend this year's conference. The theme for this year's meeting is "Toward a New Horizon for Insurance Supervision: Cross-Sector Cross-Border Harmonization and Cooperation," and discussions on wide-ranging supervision and industry issues and topics including insurance standards, risk management, and consumer protection are scheduled.The 2011 Annual Conference will be the third international conference on insurance supervision that the FSC/FSS hosts after the Asian Forum of Insurance Regulators in June 2007 and the IAIS Triannual Meetings in June 2008. The FSC/FSS is pleased to host this year's meetings and welcomes all IAIS members, observers, and guests to Seoul for the important gathering. As this year's Annual Conference demonstrates, the FSC/FSS will continue to support and contribute to the mission of the IAIS to set effective global insurance standards and facilitate supervisory cooperation across countries.Established in 1994, the IAIS is the international insurance standard-setting body representing insurance regulators and supervisors from 190 jurisdictions in some 140 countries and works closely with other financial sector standard-setting bodies and international organizations such as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the International Association of Securities Commissions to contribute to global financial stability. It is headed by Executive Committee with members representing various geographical regions and supported by three key committees in its work of issuing global insurance principles, stand
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Sep 05, 2011
- Hotline Established among Financial Authorities in Korea, China and Japan
- FSC Vice Chairman Shin Je-Yoon will be hosting a vice-minister-level conference call on September 6 at 10am with China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) and the Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan.*Attendees: Shin Je-Yoon, Vice Chairman, Financial Services Commission, KoreaWang Zhaoxing, Vice Chairman, China Banking Regulatory Commission, China Masamichi Kono, Vice Commissioner, Financial Services Agency, JapanThe conference call was arranged out of shared recognition that close cooperation among the financial authorities in Korea, China and Japan has become all the more important in order to effectively respond to financial crises as anxiety heightens in global financial markets due to concerns about fiscal soundness of the US and Europe.*Korea first proposed to establish Korea-China-Japan hotline among the financial authorities, which was welcomed by China and Japan.Discussions will be made on the current conditions of the global economy and financial markets; and future outlook of the global economy. We will also exchange our opinions about each country’s current domestic financial market issues; and discuss details about how to operate the hotline such as whether to hold conference calls on a regular basis.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Aug 09, 2011
- Temporary Ban on Short Selling
- The Korean stock market has declined for six consecutive days since August 2, amid growing concerns over the possibility of U.S. economic recession and spreading of the European fiscal crisis.*KOSPI: 2172.31p (Aug. 1) → 1801.35p (Aug. 9), ∆370.96p (∆ 17.1%)In particular, over two days from August 8 to 9, the KOSPI has dropped 142.4 points, or7.44 % as the aftershock of the downgrade of the U.S. sovereign rating significantly increased volatility in the market.*There were the 5-minute suspensions of trading in the KOSPI market (“sidecars”) and the 20-minute suspensions of the Kosdaq market (“circuit breakers”) for two consecutive days.Short sales are significantly increasing in the falling markets, spreading market anxiety. The amount of short sales, which was KRW100 billion per day on average in the first half of this year, has recently surged over KRW 400 billion, exceeding the previous record high of KRW 234.6 billion since September 2008. Short sellers are mostly foreigners and institutions. From August 2 to 5, they sold an average of KRW 314.7 billion per day in short selling, accounting for 96.7% of the total short-selling transactions.Against this backdrop, the FSC has decided to temporarily ban short selling of all listed stocks in the Korea Exchange and Kosdaq markets for three months from August 10 to November 9.* In response to the global financial crisis in 2008, the FSC banned short selling of all listed stocks, starting October 1, 2008; and lifted the ban on non-financial stocks from June 1, 2009, while keeping the ban on financial stocks.During the same period of the three months, the FSC will temporarily ease restrictions on the amount of equities that securities issuers can buy back their own.* Please read the attached file for details.
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Jul 26, 2011
- Revision Bill of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act
- BACKGROUNDThe Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (“FSCMA”) was established in 2007 as a comprehensive overhaul of capital markets regulations in order to promote autonomy and innovation in capital markets.Since the FSCMA took effect in February 2009, however, we had to weather the impacts of the global financial crisis. As a result, we still fell short of bringing about innovative changes that we initially intended with the enactment of the FSCMA such as creation of globally competitive investment banks (IBs).Meanwhile, after the financial crisis, global discussions on strengthening financial regulations and global coordination have been underway; and now is the time for us to domestically carry out what we have discussed at the global level.Against this backdrop, we see this is the right time to lay the foundation for the future of Korea’s financial industry, while coping with current global and domestic financial issues (e.g. Europe’s fiscal crisis, Korea’s household debts).The FSC has drafted a revision bill of the FSCMA, made public for 20 days from July 27 to August 16.KEY REVISIONS TO THE FSCMAI. Development of Korean IBsFor the development of home-grown investment banks capable of financing new growth industries and large overseas projects,1. Securities companies that meet certain statutory requirements such as equity capital and risk* management capability will be qualified as investment banks (or “comprehensive financial investment services providers”).*Given that securities companies can start prime brokerage services just with a revision of the FSCMA Enforcement Decree, the minimum amount of equity capital for a security firm to provide investment banking services will be set at 3 trillion won, which could be further raised later depending on developments after the revision of the FSCMA.2. The revision bill has regulations on corporate lending, internalization of order execution in place in order to help IBs provide a comp
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Jul 20, 2011
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Jul 04, 2011
- Plans for the Soundness of Savings Banks' Management
- CURRENT CONDITIONS OF SAVINGS BANKS(Assets) As of end-March 2011, total assets of 98 mutual savings banks in operation were KRW74 trillion, down 2% from KRW75.5 trillion at the end of 2010.Mutual savings banks’ operations are still focused on extending real estate-related loans including PF loans, which accounts for 42.8%* of their total outstanding loans as of end-March 2011.(*cf. 44.7% at the end of 2010)(Deposits) As of end-March 2011, mutual savings banks received a total of KRW 64.4 trillion in deposits, down 2.8% from KRW66.3 trillion at the end of 2010.(Soundness) As of end-March 2011, the delinquency ratio of mutual savings banks rose to15.8%, up 1%p from 14.8% at the end of 2010, mainly due to rise in the delinquency ratio for real estate –related loans.*As of end-March 2011, the delinquency ratio for real estate loans rose to 20.4%, up 2.4%p from 18.0% at the end-December 2010.Despite incurred losses of savings banks, the BIS capital-adequacy ratio rose to 10.25%, up 0.42%p from 9.83% at the end of 2010, backed by continued efforts for recapitalization.* With losses of seven savings banks whose operations were suspended added, the BIS ratio combined would drop to around 7%. (as of end-March 2011, 7.57%, lower than 9.14% in June 2010)(Profitability) Due to the sluggish real estate market and growing competition in the retail financial sector, mutual savings banks recorded a total of KRW333.3 losses from July 2009 to June 2010; and KRW48.7 billion from July 2010 to March 2011.* From July 2010 to March 2011, 67 savings banks (68.4%) posted profits while 31savings banks (31.6%) incurred losses.PLANS TO ENHANCE THE SOUNDNESS OF SAVINGS BANKS’MANAGEMENT1. To help mutual savings banks’ “soft landing”- Additional purchase of non-performing PF loans from savings banks: As of June 20, the government purchased non-performing PF loans worth KRW1.9 trillion through the Restructuring Fund and singed an MOU with savings banks to help them normalize their oper
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Jun 30, 2011
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Jun 29, 2011
- Comprehensive Measures on Household Debt
- PROGRESS BRIEFThe government has responded to household debt problems with a series of policy measures in order to enhance the soundness of household debt and financial institutions and at the same time to ensure low-income households’ access to loans.- The application of debt-to-income (DTI) limits for mortgage loans, which had been temporarily eased until last March, was reinstated starting April.- Measures to Encourage Sound Competition among Credit Card Companies (Feb. 9); Measures to Curb Credit Card Companies from Excessively Expanding Their Businesses (June 7)- Measures to Ensure Low-Income Households’ Access to Loans (April 15)DIAGNOSIS OF THE CURRENT HOUSEHOLD DEBT LEVELSAs of end-March 2011, Korea’s household debt reached KRW 801.4 trillion with an annual growth rate of 13% on average since the Asian financial crisis, exceeding the nominal GDP growth rate of 7.3% over the same period.The growth of household debt during the post-crisis period is attributed to the combination of various factors such as low interest rates, abundant liquidity, expectations about rise in real estate prices, and excessive lending by financial institutions.With all the conditions – the soundness of household debt, the proportions of loans extended to borrowers with good credit ratings, loss-absorbing capacity of financial institutions, and household asset holdings – taken into account, we see the current levels of household debt still “broadly manageable.”However, we cannot rule out a possibility that household debt problems would turn into threats to Korea’s economy and financial markets unless we take preemptive measures; therefore, the government came up with a package of measures to contain potential risks of household debt.FINANCIAL POLICY MEASURES ON HOUSEHOLD DEBT1. Measures to keep household debt growth at a manageable paceA. For the banking sector- Apply higher BIS risk weights to high-risk mortgage loans or excessive loans disproportionately concentrated
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Jun 15, 2011
- Revision of Loan-loss Reserve Requirements on Credit Card Assets
- The Financial Services Commission (FSC) made a resolution at the eleventh meeting held on15 June 2011 to revise the Regulation on Supervision of Specialized Credit Financial Business and the Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business on loan-loss reserve requirements for credit card assets.BACKGROUNDThe ratio for provisioning varies depending on the classification of the loans in question.* Applying equal loan-loss provisioning ratio for sales on credit and card debts (card loans, cash advance, revolving), which differ in delinquency ratio** and loss ratio, could be potentially problematic.*Loan loss provisioning ratio: Pass- 1.5%, precautionary- 15%, substandard- 20% doubtful- 60%, estimatedloss- 100%** Delinquency ratio as of 2010: credit sales (0.9%)/ card loans (2.2%)Total outstanding credit card debt at the end of 2010 marked a sharp increase of 19% from a year earlier, far more than a 6.3% increase in total household debt over the same period. This brings about the need for stronger risk management of credit card assets by differentiating the criteria for loan loss provisioning by card asset.REVISIONConsidering higher loss ratio on card debts than credit card sales, different ratios of loan loss provisioning will apply for each type of assets.Loan loss provisioning ratio will significantly rise for credit sales excluding pass class of assets and card debts, reflecting expected loss ratio.Revised loan loss reserve requirements (Unit: %) Classification # of months delinquent Current Revised Credit sale Credit loan Credit sale Credit loan Pass 1 1.5 1.1 2.5 Precautionary 1~3 15 40 50 Substandard 3 20 60 65 Doubtful 3~6 60 75 75 Estimated loss 6 100 100 100 The FSC expects the revision to effectively enhance credit card companies’ ability to absorb losses and prevent excessive competition to expand card debts as the burden of loan loss provisioning for card debts increases*.* According to an analysis of top five credit card companies, additional loan-loss res
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Jun 08, 2011
- Progress Report on the Private Equity Funds Market in Korea
- BACKGROUNDPrivate Equity Funds (PEFs)* were introduced to Korea’s capital markets with the amendments to the Indirect Investment Asset Management Business Act (integrated into Financial Investment Services Capital Markets Act in 2007) on December 6, 2004 in order to promote corporate restructuring, MAs and to diversify investment instruments.* A private equity fund, structured as limited partnerships, typically makes investments in companies, funded with the capital raised from a few investors, and sells companies for high returns after value improvement.The domestic PEF market has gone through its introductory period from 2004 to 2007 and is now in its take-off stage. As of end-2010, there were 148 PEFs registered with a total of KRW 26.6 trillion in committed capital.*As of end-May 2011, the number of PEF firms rose to 167 with KRW28.9 trillion in investment commitments.REVIEW OF THE PAST SIX YEARS1. Fund raisingThe number of PEFs has been on the steady rise since its introduction in 2004 and reached 148 as of end-2010.In particular, for the past three years after the global financial crisis, the number of PEFs grew by 104, up 236% compared to end-2007, as more companies determined it to be the right time for investments.Their capital commitments and actual investments also increased to KRW26.6 trillion and KRW16.7 trillion at the end of 2010, up 197% and 234%, respectively, from 2007.- Capital Commitment: Investors’ obligation to provide a certain amount of capital to a PEF for investments at the time of fund formation- Actual Investment: The sum of investments into the target made through equity financing and debt financing- Capital Drawdown: The portion of capital committed to a fund that is drawn down over time2. InvestmentsPEFs expanded their investments from Korean manufacturing companies (212) to foreign companies, which totaled 25 as of end- 2010. They are also diversifying overseas investments*, shifting their focus away from the United States and ind
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Jun 07, 2011
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May 27, 2011
- Additional Measures to Improve the Soundness of ELW Market
- BACKGROUNDAs Korea’s ELW market has rapidly grown in a short period of time, problems such as overheated investment and soaring investment losses have surfaced; therefore, the FSC introduced some measures (e.g., introduction of mandatory investor orientation course, stricter assessment of LP performance and preventive measures against potential unfair trading practices) in November 2010 to create a sound market environment for ELW trading.Since the implementation of the measures above mentioned, the trading values of ELWs declined somewhat as shown below:* KRW 1.7 trillion (Aug 2010) → KRW 1.9 trillion (Sep 2010) → KRW 2.0 trillion (Oct. 2010) → KRW 1.6 trillion (Nov. 2010) → KRW 1.4 trillion (Dec 2010) → KRW 1.3 trillion (Mar 2011)* Daily average number of suspicious trading: 0.84 cases (Oct 1, 2011 ~ Dec 10, 2010) → 0.13 cases (Dec 13, 2010 ~ Feb 28, 2011)However, despite these measures, as a result of some securities companies giving a preferential treatment to scalpers (the prosecutor pointed out that some scalpers bribed the securities companies so that they could have access to dedicated lines to route their orders faster than others), concerns about the soundness of ELW market have resurfaced. Against this backdrop, and we plan to adopt the following measures.PLANS TO IMPROVE CURRENT PRACTICES RELATED TO ELW MARKET AND ORDER ROUTING SPEED◈ Basic deposit requirement will be introduced as an entry barrier to ELW market investment and existing market practices will be revised to help investors easily compare ELW prices.◈ In regard with speed of order routing, brokerages will be allowed to provide only a reasonable range of service to make sure all investors can have a stable and equal access to trading system.I. SOUNDER MARKET ENVIRONMENT FOR ELWS1. Stronger Protection for Investors A. Basic Deposit RequirementIn most of derivatives trading, investors are required to make basic deposits in addition to margins.* However, for ELWs and buying opti
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May 19, 2011
- Korea to Chair FSB T/F on EMDE Issues
- BACKGROUNDThe G20 leaders at the Seoul Summit held in November 2010 agreed to put financial regulatory reform issues viewed from the perspectives of emerging countries on G20 agenda ,and asked the FSB, IMF and World Bank to submit a progress report prior to G20 Cannes Summit in November 2011.Recognizing that G20 discussions had been mainly focused on how to overcome financial crises in advanced countries, Korea proposed that financial issues relevant to emerging countries need to be more actively discussed at the G20 meetings.TASK FORCE FOR EMERGING MARKET AND DEVELOPING ECONOMIES (EMDES)Against this backdrop, the FSB created a task force to deal with EMDE-specific issues in March 2011. The T/F is to select financial regulatory issues from the perspectives of EMDEs and make relevant policy recommendations.Groups of technical experts will be created within the T/F to conduct in-depth reviews on specific issues.** management of capital flows and foreign exchange risks, prudential oversight on global financial institutions, supervisory cooperation between home and host countries, implementation of international standards, development of capital markets, etc.The T/F is composed of international organizations (IMF, World Bank, BCBS, IAIS, IOSCO, BIS, ECB); and FSB members (Korea, the U.S., Canada, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, North Africa, Argentina, etc)Korea’s FSC was appointed as chair of the T/F in May 2011, and FSC Standing Commissioner Sangche Lee will be representing Korea and preside over discussions in the T/F.The T/F is scheduled to submit an interim report to FSB Plenary Meeting on July 19, 2011. The report will be circulated to FSB regional consultative groups for review by September, and the final report will be completed prior to G20 finance ministers’ meeting in October and G20 Summit in November.*Please read the attached file for details.
