Household lending at banks jumps in Q2 on leveraged investing, mortgage demand

Household loans at major South Korean banks increased in the second quarter as borrowers took out more credit for stock investments and to finance home purchases, data showed Sunday.

Outstanding household loans at five major lenders -- KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank and NH Nonghyup Bank -- stood at 646.19 trillion won ($421.5 billion) as of Thursday, up 824.1 billion won from the end of last year, according to data compiled by the banks.

Household loan balances had fallen b ...