The Housing Finance System

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A. Primary Housing Finance Market

A.1 Industry Structure and Performance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Types of originating lenders/market share:A.1.2
Are there (quasi) public mortgage lenders:Yes  
Research
A.1.4
Universal/ commercial banksYesYesYes
Industrial Bank of Korea
A.1.4.1
Non-depository financial institutions specialized in housing financeYes YesYes
Korean Housing Finance Corporation
A.1.4.3
Level of Non-Performing Mortgage Loans (90 days or more past due):A.1.6
Average 1997-2007 A.1.7
A.2 Size of Mortgage Finance Sector
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year in millions of USD:549,254.65 USD (millions)540,226.9 USD (millions)451,966.22 USD (millions)
Economic Statistic System of Bank of Korea
A.2.1
Total amount of home mortgage loans outstanding at the end of year as % of GDP (current)33.18%35.07%31.95%
Economic Statistic System of Bank of Korea
A.2.1.1
and as % of all credits outstanding41.79%42.22%42.99%
Economic Statistic System of Bank of Korea
A.2.1.2
Total amount of home mortgages made in calendar year in millions of USD  23,005.52 USD (millions)A.2.3
and as % of GDP (current)   4.56%A.2.3.1
Total # of home mortgage originations made in calendar year  587,000 thousand
Korea Housing Finance Corporation
A.2.4
A.3 Housing Finance Products
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Mortgage products as % of all mortgages (approx.) in local currency:A.3.1
Fixed rate for life of loan 44.5%43%A.3.1.1
Most prevalent type of foreign currency mortgage used:A.3.3
Most frequent interest rates on fully amortizing:A.3.4
Typical lender fees associated with mortgage origination: A.3.6
Typical third party fees associated with mortgage origination:A.3.7
Legal feesNot available  
Global Property Guide
A.3.7.3
Search feesNot available  
Global Property Guide
A.3.7.4
Loan-to-Value (LTV) on first mortgage: A.3.8
Maximum LTV 70% A.3.8.1
Typical LTV at origination  56.0%
Korea Housing Finance Corporation
A.3.8.2
Mortgage pmt-to-income ratio A.3.10
A.4 Lending and Servicing Process
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Does the mortgage industry use standard principles/guidelines for underwriting?Yes  
Research
A.4.1
Which institutions define underwriting rules? A.4.2
A.5 Credit Risk Assessment
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Do credit bureaus exist? YesYesYes
Doing Business
A.5.2
Are there legal/regulatory constraints to gaining access to credit information?  Yes
Country Editor
A.5.2.1
Is mortgage default insurance available?YesYesYes
SGIC, sm=1
A.5.3
When did it begin operating?2007  A.5.3.1
Is there public sponsored MI / guarantee?Yes NoA.5.5
B. Funding Sources for Mortgages and the Secondary Mortgage Market
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
What are the main funding sources for mortgages?B.1
Retail funding (deposits/other)primaryprimaryprimary
Korea Housing Finance Corporation Annual Report
B.1.1
Funding through securitization of mortgagessecondarysecondarysecondary
Korea Housing Finance Corporation and Center for American Progress
B.1.4
Other tertiary  B.1.5
C. Housing Microfinance
VariableEnd of 2018End of 2017End of 2016SourcesVar ID
Types of lenders operating in the housing micro-finance (HMF) sector:C.2
Level of NPLs (>90 days past due) in HMFC.4
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Notes: At Q4 2009; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2010; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2011; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2012; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2013; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2014; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2015; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: At Q4 2016; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: KB Kookmin Bank offers a "stepping stone" mortgage with lower interest rates for low-income workers. It is funded through the Housing and Urban Fund
Notes: The government recently restrained mortgage borrowing to once per household in "overheated" districts in Seoul. Owners of two homes must pay an additional 10% in transfer income tax and those of three homes must pay an additional 20%.
Notes: 0.2-0.9% is Real Estate Agent's fees
Notes: 0.25-1%
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: Annual property taxes are levied between 0.15-0.5%, depending on property location, type, and other other factors. There is also a comprehensive real estate holding tax that ranges from 0.5-2% for homes that exceed KRW 600 million (~ US$ 540,541)
Notes: As of Nov 1st
Notes: At Q4 2018; 3rd quintile (60th percentile) of monthly income per household
Notes: Average dwelling unit size for apartments. Over 60% of dwellings are apartments.
Notes: Capital gains tax is levied on the seller. The rate depends on the amount of capital gains earned. The individual is then given a deduction that ranges according to the length of time that the home was held
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Figure listed is only based on all credits to households.
Notes: Financial Services Commission (financial regulator)
Notes: For banks only
Notes: For banks only
Notes: For banks only
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: IBK is 57.7% owned by the government
Notes: KB Kookmin Bank offers a "stepping stone" mortgage with lower interest rates for low-income workers. It is funded through the Housing and Urban Fund
Notes: Median housing price in Seoul
Notes: mortgage interest deductibility is only available to Korean nationals
Notes: Mortgages are allowed only for residential purpose for high-priced houses exceeding KRW900MM
Notes: National Housing Bonds (NHBs) are bonds issued to raise funds for the construction of residential houses pursuant to the National Housing Act. Unlike other government bonds, NHBs are issued on the basis of mandatory placement.
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: National Rate
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Range from 0.24% to 0.6% depending on property type. Additionally, there is a comprehensive real estate tax for owners of land with value over KRW600MM
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Real estate acquisitions are taxed at a rate of 4.6% based on the actual acquisition price
Notes: Rental income is taxed at progressive rates. The taxable amount is calculated by taking total rental income and subtracting deductable allowable expenses
Notes: Share of individuals who resided in same region as the location of ownership houses
Notes: The individual acquiring the property pays an acquisition tax of 4.6%
Notes: There is a stamp duty but it is insignificant