How much did foreign currency deposits in Korea increase in September 2026, and what drove the rise?

The balance rose by $14 billion from August to $154.7 billion. The Bank of Korea said the increase was driven by higher dollar receipts at exporting companies and funds local brokerages held for investments in foreign bonds.

Which currencies accounted for the increase in Korea’s foreign currency deposits in September 2026?

Dollar deposits accounted for the largest increase, rising $12.99 billion to $132.9 billion. Euro deposits increased by $0.37 billion to $9.53 billion, and Japanese yen deposits rose by $0.55 billion to $9.49 billion.

Who is included in the Bank of Korea’s resident foreign currency deposit figures, and what is excluded?

The figures include Korean citizens, foreigners who have lived in Korea for more than six months and foreign companies. Interbank deposits are excluded.

Foreign currency deposits rise to fresh record high in September

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Summary

Foreign currency deposits held by residents in Korea rose to a record $154.7 billion at the end of September, according to Bank of Korea data released Wednesday. The balance increased $14 billion from a month earlier and has risen every month since April. The BOK attributed the sharp increase to exporters’ higher dollar receipts and funds held by local brokerages for foreign-bond investments.

Key Facts

The BOK has compiled the foreign currency deposit data since June 2012, and September’s total was the highest in that period.
U.S. dollar deposits rose $12.99 billion to $132.9 billion, while euro deposits gained $0.37 billion to $9.53 billion and yen deposits increased $0.55 billion to $9.49 billion.
Corporate foreign currency deposits climbed $13.1 billion to $136.6 billion, while individual holdings rose $0.98 billion to $18.11 billion.
The data covers Korean citizens, foreigners who have lived in Korea for more than six months and foreign companies, but excludes interbank deposits.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 28, 2026 12:31 pm KST

A clerk sorts $100 banknotes at the headquarters of Hana Bank in Seoul, March 23. Korea Times photo by Ha Sang-yoon

Foreign currency deposits in Korea rose to a fresh record high in September, driven by a sharp increase in dollar savings, central bank data showed Wednesday.

Outstanding foreign currency-denominated deposits held by residents stood at $154.7 billion at the end of September, up $14 billion from a month earlier, according to findings by the Bank of Korea (BOK).

It marked the highest level since the BOK began compiling the data in June 2012.

The reading has increased every month since April.

Residents include Korean citizens, foreigners who have lived in the country for more than six months and foreign companies. The data excludes interbank deposits.

By currency, U.S. dollar-denominated reserves increased by $12.99 billion to $132.9 billion, marking the highest balance since June 2012.

Euro-denominated savings also gained $0.37 billion to $9.53 billion, and Japanese yen deposits increased $0.55 billion to $9.49 billion.

Corporate foreign currency deposits rose $13.1 billion to $136.6 billion, while individual holdings increased $0.98 billion to $18.11 billion.

The BOK said the sharp rise in foreign currency deposits was driven by increased dollar receipts by exporting companies and funds held by local brokerages for investments in foreign bonds.

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