Korea Institute of Finance

Financial Research Brief

26-08 May 23, 2026

Challenges in Improving Prudential Regulation for Financial Groups: Focusing on Securities Subsidiaries

Since the global financial crisis, bank-level prudential standards under the Basel framework have been applied in major economies to large securities firms and securities subsidiaries of bank holding companies to mitigate systemic risk. Likewise, Basel standards are applied in Korea alongside the Net Capital Ratio (NCR) regime to securities subsidiaries of bank holding companies. However, stringent Basel standards may impair the efficiency of capital management at securities subsidiaries of bank...

Analysis of Current Issues Seok Ki Kim, Bomi Lee

Assessing the Impact of Global Oil Price Shocks on Export-Import Prices and the Trade Balance

Policy Issue in Focus Minkee Song

Policy Recommendations for the Medium- to Long-Term Development of Savings Banks

Policy Issue in Focus Jun-Tae Park

Enhancing Supply Chain Data Reliability under ESG Disclosure Requirements

Policy Issue in Focus Bomi Lee

FSC Revises Whistleblower Rewards and Fraud Penalties, May 2026 (FSC)

News Briefs KIF

The Role of Shared Growth and Inclusive Finance

Can inclusive finance generate a virtuous cycle of shared growth by simultaneously improving economic growth and income distribution? According to the World Bank (2020) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2019, 2023), constraints on financial access exist in both developing and advanced economies, posing a threat to economic growth. In advanced economies in particular, while average financial accessibility has improved, polarization in financial access has intensified...

20260529 Jabonn Kim

Dividend Payment Frequency and Systematic Risk (Beta): Evidence from Korean Listed Firm

This study empirically examines the relationship between dividend payment frequency and the systematic risk (beta coefficient) of Korean listed firms. Using an unbalanced panel dataset comprising 10,715 firm-year observations for 1,640 non-financial firms listed on KOSPI and KOSDAQ from 2010 to 2024, we employ panel OLS regression alongside quasi-experimental approaches including difference-in-differences (DID) and propensity score matching (PSM). The analytical framework draws on information si...

20260529 Taiki Lee, Woojin Kim

The Potential Impact of Stablecoin Adoption on the Share of Credit Card Payments

This report analyzes the expected adoption and usage of KRW-denominated stablecoins and their potential impact on existing payment instruments, if introduced as a new means of payment in Korea’s retail payment market. To this end, the study conducts simulations using a discrete choice model, varying the magnitude of discount promotions and merchant acceptance rates from 10% to 90%. The results suggest that a merchant acceptance rate of around 70% or higher would be necessary for stablecoins to ...

20260528 Jinsoo Bae

The Introduction of the Responsibilities Map: Effects and Policy Recommendations

Designed to establish clear accountability within financial institutions, the Responsibilities Map aims to fortify internal control systems and elevate trust in the Korean financial sector. To ensure the framework's successful institutionalization, this report identifies key areas for improvement based on insights from compliance officers across banks and bank holding companies. The study indicates that while the initiative has yielded meaningful changes?such as elevating organizational awaren...

20260521 Jeong Ho Suh

Corporate Lending and Productive Finance ― Focusing on Firms' Productivity and Resource Allocation Efficiency ―

This paper analyzes the extent to which the unusually rapid increase in domestic corporate lending over the past decade (2015?2024) has contributed to productivity and the efficiency of capital allocation. To this end, it (1) identifies how firms have utilized external funds raised through financial institution loans, and (2) examines how such loan usage has affected productivity and resource allocation efficiency at both the firm and industry levels. Based on these findings, the paper presents...

20260520 Yong-Sang Shyn

Enhancing Financial Consumer Protection via Debt Resolution Framework in Cambodia

The study analyzes policy measures to strengthen financial consumer protection in Cambodia by enhancing the debt resolution framework amid rising household indebtedness and increasing potential risks to financial system stability. Through a comparative analysis of international practices?including Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Korea’s Credit Counseling and Recovery Service (CCRS)?the study confirms that debt restructuring, counseling services, and coordinated inter-agency mechanisms constit...

20260513 Sreyleak MON, Seok Min Yeom