South Korean Card Loan Advances Rise 2% to 10.65 Trillion Won in Q1, But Average Rates Fall to 13.50%

According to credit card industry data, South Korean card loan advances in the first quarter of 2026 rose approximately 2% year-over-year to 10.65 trillion won. However, related earnings fell 1.2% to 1.31 trillion won, while average interest rates dropped 1.14 percentage points to 13.50%.

Mid-tier credit loan disbursements doubled to 2.57 trillion won from 1.26 trillion won a year earlier, reflecting government policy to expand inclusive lending. The inflow of high-credit borrowers from tightened first-tier bank lending also contributed to lower overall rates, industry analysts said.