The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service released preliminary 2025 earnings data for 32 foreign bank branches operating in Korea (excluding UBS’s Seoul branch, which is undergoing approval to discontinue its banking business), showing net income of KRW1.6773 trillion, down KRW102.8 billion (5.8%) from the prior year. The decline reflected lower interest income and a sharp deterioration in securities income, partly offset by higher FX and derivatives income. Interest income fell 4.7% year on year to KRW913.7 billion as foreign-currency funding rates remained elevated and investment yields on government bonds declined, compressing net interest margins. Non-interest income decreased 2.0% to KRW2.4909 trillion, driven by a KRW972.7 billion swing in securities income to a loss of KRW544.8 billion, with government bond yields rising by end-December 2025 and securities valuation gains falling by KRW452.1 billion. FX and derivatives income rose 43.1% to KRW3.1942 trillion as FX-related income increased by KRW8.0076 trillion to KRW1.7738 trillion while derivatives-related income fell by KRW7.0463 trillion to KRW1.4204 trillion. SG&A expenses increased 5.1% to KRW1.1561 trillion due to higher labor costs, and loan loss provisions rose 16.8% to KRW40.5 billion. Against higher market volatility and continued economic uncertainty, the FSS said it will regularly review foreign bank branches’ business strategies and financing and liquidity management, and will conduct risk-based tailored inspections covering risk factors, internal controls and regulatory compliance.
South Korea Financial Supervisory Service 2026-03-24
South Korea Financial Supervisory Service publishes preliminary 2025 results showing foreign bank branches’ net income fell 5.8% to KRW1.6773 trillion
The South Korea Financial Supervisory Service published preliminary 2025 earnings data for 32 foreign bank branches in Korea, reporting net income of KRW1.6773 trillion, a 5.8% year-on-year decline driven by lower interest income and a swing of securities income into loss, partly offset by higher foreign exchange and derivatives income. The authority noted rising SG&A expenses and loan loss provisions, and will review foreign bank branches’ business strategies and liquidity management, and conduct risk-based inspections focusing on risk factors, internal controls and compliance.