Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
WRAPUP 2-S.Korea ups lending controls, rate rise bets still on
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
WRAPUP 2-S.Korea ups lending controls, rate rise bets still on
Reuters - Friday, October 9
Send
IM Story
Print
* Regulator imposes stricter mortgage lending controls
* Upbeat exports, consumer data bolster rate rise hopes
* Outside chance Bank of Korea could raise rates on Friday
* Nov rate rise seen as higher risk, but not certainty
By Cheon Jong-woo and Seo Eun-kyung
SEOUL, Oct 8 - South Korea imposed new lending controls on Thursday to cool its housing market, but the move failed to dent expectations that the central bank will raise interest rates soon to avert a property price bubble.
Upbeat exports and consumer spending data for September added fuel to rate rise speculation, hitting government bonds and lifting the won, with some players not ruling out a move even as soon as Friday when the Bank of Korea holds its policy review.
Bonds cut their losses slightly after the Financial Supervisory Service said that it would limit mortgage lending by insurance firms and other non-banking institutions in the capital Seoul and surrounding areas.
But traders doubted lending controls alone would succeed in stopping a relentless house price rise, which the central bank has said could force it to raise interest rates, and stuck to their view that rates would go up before the year-end.
Property prices in Seoul have risen 20 percent since the start of the year.
"It seems the government is trying to come up with every possible policy available to rein in the property market boom and delay the timing of the interest rate increase, but I don't think the central bank will give up its intention to raise rates," said Jung Sung-min, a fixed-income analyst at Eugene Futures.
The regulator's announcement coincided with Bank of Korea's report that bank mortgage lending to households dipped last month, after similar restrictions were implemented for banks. However, the financial supervisor said non-bank lending surged in September. [ID:nSEV002858] [ID:nSEO21886]
STAND-OFF
The government, concerned that monetary tightening may tip the recovering economy back into a downturn, has repeatedly argued it was too early to withdraw economic stimulus and that it should be done in coordination with other major economies.
Analysts, however, believe the central bank will stand its ground, emboldened by recent strong economic data and the fact that Australia has already raised rates this week as the first Group of 20 nation to do so after slashing rates in the face of the worst global downturn in generations.
South Korea's exports to China rose in September from a year earlier for the first time since September 2008, while department store sales and credit card use hit multi-month highs, government data showed. [ID:nSEO11852] [ID:nSEO252299]
All 15 analysts surveyed early this week forecast the Bank of Korea would hold the 7-day repurchase agreement rate <KROCRT=ECI> steady for an eighth consecutive month at a record-low 2.0 percent on Friday but would raise it as early as next month. [ID:nSEO186728]
The 1-year treasury bond yield <KR1YT=KSDA> rose 1 basis point to a near 10-month closing high of 3.62 percent while the 1- and 3-year interest rate swap spread <KRWIRS> narrowed by 3 basis points to a near 5-month low of 69 basis points.
The financial regulatory agency said in a statement it would impose a 50 percent debt-to-income ratio ceiling on mortgage lending in the capital and surrounding areas, in which about a half of the country's total population live.
The ratio is the percentage of money spent on servicing a mortgage loan contract out of the borrower's income.
Confidence that Asia's fourth-largest economy has turned the corner and that asset prices had room to gain further has prompted South Koreans to increase investment in property, analysts and data have suggested. [ID:nSP490636] (Writing by Yoo Choonsik; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher and Tomasz Janowski)
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Obama loan relief plan hits goal early AP - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
Retailers see sales begin to recover in September AP - 2 hours 5 minutes ago
SEC's Schapiro: dark pools "may need more light" Reuters - 2 hours 17 minutes ago
Russia c.bank buys $1.4 bln in interventions-dealers Reuters - 2 hours 19 minutes ago
Liz Claiborne inks distribution deal with JCPenney AP - 2 hours 28 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
US new jobless claims drops to nine-month low
ECB anchors interest rate at record low of 1.0%
Breakthrough hope for breast cancer treatment
Bank of England keeps interest rate at 0.5%
US Solar Decathlon seeks best sun-powered homes
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Tiny moon feeds largest ring around Saturn
Gold price hits record high on report to ditch dollar
Aer Lingus to slash hundreds of jobs, cut pay
Europe hits hole on rough road to economic recovery
Tiny device could speed breast cancer detection: study
More Most Viewed »
Oldest hominid skeleton sheds light on human origins
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 8 October 2009 Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Russian journalist's unsolved killing remembered
Egypt breaks ties with France's Louvre Museum
Japan's tech titans ready for 3D tussle
Turkey expects to seal deal with Armenia, doubts emerge
Turkey's Gul lobbies hostile France on EU bid
Nobel Peace prize seeks return to activist roots
| International
|
Iran says some countries offer it nuclear fuel
EU moves towards Microsoft truce
Hamas asks to delay reconciliation deal: Hamas source
Russia, Turkmenistan end gas dispute: Kremlin
Egyptian imam seeks $10 million in CIA renditions trial
| International
|
Saudi faces prison over TV sex revelations
Afghan vote subject to complex fraud audit
Ahmadinejad calls Geneva talks a 'step forward'
Somali pirates attack French military flagship
EU warns Czechs about costs of treaty delays
Annan says some Kenyan big men to face ICC
| International
|
French minister under fire for gay sex tourism
| International
|
Obama turning to Hollywood for health reform help
Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T: report
| Technology
|
Nearly 100 charged in US, Egypt in ID theft scheme
FCC chief lauds opening of wireless networks
| Technology
|
Statue of Helen Keller to be installed in Capitol
Djokovic cruises, Sharapova out at China Open
Orange County water main break creates sinkhole
Online ads: Big Brother or customer service?
| Technology
|
Ex-prep school dean charged with 4th sex assault
China: North Korea nuclear talks could resume
Google, authors asked to submit deal changes by November 9
| Technology
|
Duncan: Chicago education plan not causing deaths
Labor nominee clears divided Senate panel
Khmer Rouge tribunal summons gov't party officials
Vietnam typhoon damage estimate hits $785 mln: UN
Man sentenced to 7 years in frozen chicken scam
Typhoon threatens Japan; troops aid Philippines
Slain Florida couple's daughter appears on `Oprah'
Tajikistan downgrades Russian language
Maldives to hold cabinet meeting underwater
Pakistan expects 'tough resistance' in Waziristan
Biden stumps for NJ's Corzine at union convention
Myanmar's Suu Kyi meets junta minister: official
Foreign rescue teams leave quake-hit Indonesia city
HSBC in advanced talks on buying RBS Asia assets: report
Jaguar reports loan from Indian bank
Honda switches Japan work to British plant
IMF faces headwinds in expanded role
Panasonic, rivals fined for price-fixing
ADB lends $500 mln to revive Indonesian economy
Pakistani stocks rise to year high; rupee firms
Two new movies lift lid on Brazil's dark side
South Korean plane delayed by bird on board
Naomi Watts tops list of actresses to invest in
The Manhattan Transfer -- 40 years and still singing
Artist wraps women's eyes around old heart of Paris
With Obamas, art changes on White House walls
Indonesia mulls declaring villages mass graves
Last-minute Prince decision to stage two Paris concerts Sunday
Aid reaches villagers deep in Indonesia quake zone
Jung's Red Book on display for first time
A list of nominees at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards
Aid helps quake victims and Indonesia's sick
Kandahar NATO base: hockey, discos and funerals
Post-Saddam film headlines Abu Dhabi festival
Naomi Watts tops list of actresses to invest in
| Entertainment
|
The Manhattan Transfer -- 40 years and still singing
| Entertainment
|
Two new movies lift lid on Brazil's dark side
| Entertainment
|
Obama mulls troop boost request for Afghanistan
British bank mulls huge rights issue: report
US-TECH Summary
Blast outside Indian embassy in Kabul kills 12
| International
|
UN attempts to defend neutrality in Afghanistan
Tiny device could speed breast cancer detection: study
Security Council to raise UN Gaza report next week
Mobile device makers want common earphone plugs
Pacific quakes stir panic but tsunamis tiny
| International
|
Typhoon Melor buffets Japan, disrupts industry
| International
|
U.N. council compromises over Gaza report debate
Pakistan wants U.S. 'trust, drones, market access
| International
|
FCC chief lauds wireless companies
Disappearance of Iranian scientist creates mystery
North Korea not near restoring nuclear plant: South
| International
|
Abbas faces more anger over UN war crimes report
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
Aer Lingus to slash hundreds of jobs, cut pay
US, Afghan troops seize tonnes of opium, kill 17 Taliban
Time 4 u 2 quit. Text messaging found to help smokers
Honduras talks start, police disperse protesters
| International
|
Dell closing US plant, cutting 900 jobs
Reformist website: Iran protester gets death sentence
| International
|
Google, authors to submit revised book deal Nov 9
Iraqi security forces strain budget, PM says
Taliban say control area after battle with U.S.
| International
|
Iran sees U.S. role in researcher's disappearance
| International
|
Saudi king in Damascus to mend fences with Assad
"Google phones" gaining market momentum
Hamas asks to delay reconciliation deal: Hamas source
YouTube pacts heighten copyright vigilance
Bing search gets vocal on new Samsung mobile phone
Bing search gets vocal on new Samsung mobile phone
Honduran leader offers to leave if Zelaya steps aside
'American Qur'an' blends US life, Quranic verses
Report: Global Muslim population hits 1.57 billion
Court papers: DNA at store matches elusive teen
Pakistan wants U.S. "trust", drones, market access
Pacific islanders flee as quakes prompt tsunami alert
Dell plans first U.S. smartphone with AT&T: source
| Technology
|
One dead as strong typhoon batters Japan
Time 4 u 2 quit. Text messaging found to help smokers
| Technology
|
China's Hu calls on police to protect Tiananmen
U.S. cool to Mugabe's overture for better ties
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
| Technology
|
Obama to make Asian debut tour next month
FCC chief lauds wireless companies
| Technology
|
U.S. Senate health bill costs pegged at $829 billion
Pakistan says US investment can fight extremism
Boxer plans hearing on toxic school drinking water
Pot legalization gains momentum in California
Small tsunami forms in Pacific, warnings canceled
Powerful 7.8 quake off Vanuatu, tsunami alert
Strong quakes near Vanuatu spark tsunami alert
Army unit's morale improving after 8 deaths
7.3 earthquake hits South Pacific, minutes after 7.8: USGS
Amid the global economic crisis, China rises
Korea Hot Stocks
Japan's current account surplus up 10.4 pct
Seoul shares up 0.4 pct; Tong Yang below IPO price
Fashion photographer Irving Penn dead at 92
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith guitarist goes solo as band flounders
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea exports recovery seen accelerating -survey
Guy Ritchie says he still loves retarded Madonna
| Entertainment
|
Data adds to S.Korea econ hopes as rate rise looms
Beastie Boys' Yauch hopeful he has beaten cancer
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea T-bonds edge up on U.S. lead; rate vote eyed
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
| Entertainment
|
Barbra Streisand tops U.S. pop chart for ninth time
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise; Tong Yang Life below IPO price
British actress gets An Education in Oscar buzz
| Entertainment
|
Leonard Nimoy gets new sci-fi life on Fringe
| Entertainment
|
CBS orders full seasons of NCIS: LA, Good Wife
| Entertainment
|
Ellen Page to write comedy series for HBO
| Entertainment
|
A well-spoken Jude Law charges through 'Hamlet'
TV news channels explode in Europe but future unsure
Australia Michael Jackson skit sparks racism calls
No charges over Mel Gibson DUI report leaks
Guy Ritchie says he still loves "retarded" Madonna
Leonard Nimoy gets new sci-fi life on "Fringe"
Soprano Sills' estate sells for more than $500K
Fashion photographer Irving Penn dead at 92
British actress gets "An Education" in Oscar buzz
Celebrities to judge videos backing US health care reforms
Poland to sign EU's Lisbon treaty Sunday: ministry
Breakthrough hope for breast cancer treatment
Grim omens as U.S. envoy pursues Mideast relaunch
| International
|
Bank of England keeps interest rate at 0.5%
Car bomb kills 17 near Indian embassy in Kabul
At least 3 dead in Kabul blast: AFP photographer
US Solar Decathlon seeks best sun-powered homes
Italy's Berlusconi vows to stay, tension worrying
| International
|
Saudi Arabia, Syria urge unity government in Lebanon
| International
|
Nobel literature winner Mueller lost for words
| International
|
Turkey eyes talks by Azeri, Armenian leaders
| International
|
Japan new PM seeks to build trust with Beijing, Seoul
| International
|
Ex-cop pleads not guilty to posing as twin for sex
Landslide kills 6 Philippine health workers
Pakistani government defends US aid bill
Highest military court to hear Abu Ghraib appeal
Nadal edges Blake to reach China Open quarters
Red Cross aid appeal for Indonesia quake victims
Scientists race to prevent ash tree's extinction
New quakes, small tsunami panic Pacific islanders
Woman found in Fla. home under 8 feet of trash
Japan court acquits file-sharing software creator
Radio host seeks pardon for executed SC ancestors
Taiwan court orders hearing on Chen detention
'Nazi guard' trial to begin November 30: court
Roadside bomb wounds 10 soldiers in Thai south
AP NewsAlert
US encounters stumbling blocks in training Afghans
Sex crime charges shock Oregon wine country town
Obama to hold private meetings
WRAPUP 2-S.Korea ups lending controls, rate rise bets still on
Pakistani stocks, rupee end weaker on U.S. aid row
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.75 bln
Oil prices rebound as stock markets surge
Taiwan dollar hits 1-yr high on funds, exporters
SKorea, EU to set final text of trade deal
S.Korea, EU to sign free trade deal next week
Australia bank loses tax avoidance case in NZ
Indian firms' earnings weak, better times ahead
Widow asks Toyota to act quickly on floor mats
Nobel literature winner Mueller lost for words
| Entertainment
|
Indonesia police say Sulawesi "blast" not bomb
Indonesia's Golkar party elects new head
Indonesian graft fighter charged with murder
Herta Mueller wins Nobel Literature Prize
Pusan festival opens with Korean political comedy
Aussie TV channel apologises for Jackson sketch
Thai villager beats back waves, but faces new threat
Van Gogh was also a wordsmith, his letters reveal
Nick Nolte's son, Brawley Nolte, arrested
Herta Mueller wins Nobel Literature Prize
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Beastie Boys' Yauch "hopeful" he has beaten cancer
CBS orders full seasons of "NCIS: LA", "Good Wife"
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights