Stock market fever fuels biggest jump in personal borrowing in 5 years

With the benchmark KOSPI shattering one record after another, surpassing the 8,400 mark for the first time on Friday, more and more retail investors appear to be borrowing money to chase the market’s blistering rally, industry data showed Sunday.

Outstanding personal credit loans at the country’s five major banks — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup — totaled 106.99 trillion won ($70.98 billion) as of Thursday.

The balance was the highest since November 2023, when it stood at 107.72 trillion won.

It also marked a 2.65 trillion won increase from a month earlier, the largest monthly increase since April 2021, when the KOSPI first broke through the 3,200 level.

Much of the increase came from overdraft credit lines, known locally as “minus accounts,” which allow customers to borrow up to a preapproved limit.

Outstanding balances on such facilities reached 41.93 trillion won last Thursday, reflecting funds that have actually been drawn down, rather than just the total credit available to borrowers.

What is particularly notable is the timing.

Outstanding balances on o