Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Agriculture and fisheries loans rise 15.6% at four South Korean banks
In the third quarter, loans to agriculture and fisheries grew 15.6% year on year at four major South Korean banks.
That was faster than lending to manufacturing, up 9.5%, and transport, up 8.4%.
The shift followed the first half, when manufacturing had the fastest loan growth among these sectors.
Banks and analysts point to funding for ship technology and farm solar panels as possible reasons for the agricultural-sector increase.
The sector still has a smaller total loan balance, while manufacturing’s share of all business loans rose to 26.7% from 25.8% a year earlier.
The figures show more lending growth in agriculture and fisheries, but the report gives no specific next steps.
Agriculture and fisheries loans at four major South Korean banks rose 15.6% year on year in the third quarter.
The increase exceeded the growth in manufacturing loans, at 9.5%, and transport loans, at 8.4%.
The agriculture and fisheries growth rate had been 7.4% in the second quarter, when manufacturing led.
The article attributes the faster growth partly to lending for ship technology development and demand for agricultural solar installations.
Manufacturing loans also continued to grow, accounting for 26.7% of total corporate loans, up from 25.8% a year earlier.
- Who
- KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori banks.
- What
- Agriculture and fisheries loan balances rose 15.6% year on year, outpacing other reported sectors.
- When
- In the third quarter; the article was published on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The article cites lending for ship technology development and demand for solar installations under the government’s agrivoltaic program.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Agriculture and fisheries loans were up 7.4% year on year, while manufacturing loans rose 9.3%.
Agriculture and fisheries loans rose 15.6% year on year, exceeding manufacturing’s 9.5% growth.
Maeil Business published its report on the third-quarter lending figures.
- Agriculture and fisheries loans
- Up 15.6% year on year in the third quarter
- Manufacturing loans
- Up 9.5% year on year in the third quarter
- Transport loans
- Up 8.4% year on year in the third quarter
- Second-quarter agriculture and fisheries loans
- Up 7.4% year on year
- Manufacturing share of corporate loans
- 26.7%, compared with 25.8% a year earlier