Korean household credit rose 14.0 trillion won in Q1 2026 to 1,993.1 trillion won
The Bank of Korea reported on May 19 that total household credit outstanding increased by 14.0 trillion won in Q1 2026, reaching 1,993.1 trillion won as of end-March.
At a glance
- Total Korean household credit rose 14.0 trillion won in Q1 2026 to 1,993.1 trillion won at end-March
- Household loans increased 12.9 trillion won to 1,865.8 trillion won
- Merchandise credits increased 1.1 trillion won to 127.3 trillion won
VERDICT — CONFIRMED
Korean household credit outstanding rose by 14.0 trillion won in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 1,993.1 trillion won as of end-March, the Bank of Korea reported on May 19.
Household loans accounted for most of the increase, rising 12.9 trillion won in the quarter to 1,865.8 trillion won, per the central bank. Merchandise credits — instalment and card-based purchase financing — grew 1.1 trillion won to 127.3 trillion won.
The figures come from the Bank of Korea's quarterly household credit release. The breakdown between mortgage and other lending, and the comparison with the fourth quarter of 2025's pace, were not included in the material reviewed.
The data are official central bank statistics. At 1,993.1 trillion won, the headline stock sits just below the 2,000 trillion won mark; whether it crosses that line is a question for the second-quarter release.
Key facts on file
- Total Korean household credit rose 14.0 trillion won in Q1 2026 to 1,993.1 trillion won at end-March
- Household loans increased 12.9 trillion won to 1,865.8 trillion won
- Merchandise credits increased 1.1 trillion won to 127.3 trillion won
