[Edaily Reporter Kim Se-yeon ] As financial authorities doubled the target growth rate for household loans to expand lending capacity, expectations are rising among genuine homebuyers seeking mortgage loans. While there had previously been a so-called “mortgage rush”—with people visiting multiple bank branches in search of institutions with remaining loan quotas—bank counters have actually been quieter than expected since the measures were announced. Industry analysts suggest that people have put their anxiety aside, anticipating that lending capacity will increase.

According to the banking sector on the 14th, even after the financial authorities announced an expansion of the total loan quota the previous day, there was no noticeable increase in loan-related inquiries at branches of the five major banks (KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NH Nonghyup).

In fact, some branches reported fewer inquiries than before the announcement. As household loan quotas were being rapidly exhausted, customers frequently called to check their eligibility for loans. With the need for funds approaching but uncertainty about whether they could secure a loan, some customers reportedly called multiple branches daily to confirm if any quotas remained. However, industry sources say that such inquiries have actually subsided since the financial authorities announced their plan to expand the total household loan quota.

An official at a commercial bank, identified as Mr. A, said, “Just as people check how many items are left in stock at each store when buying luxury goods, we used to receive a steady stream of inquiries from customers looking for branches that still had loan quotas available. Since the measures were announced, however, things have actually quieted down.”

While loan inquiries haven’t yet increased significantly at other bank branches, some customers are calling to confirm when the actual lending capacity will expand and whether they themselves can secure additional loans.

In fact, a commercial bank branch in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, has received calls asking when the actual loan limits will be expanded following the new measures and whether additional loans are possible. Most of these inquiries were aimed at confirming the revised limits and the effective date, rather than specific loan applications or consultations.

Of course, there is also demand from customers seeking out banks that still have available loan quotas. A branch of a commercial bank in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, recently saw customers who had been informed by other banks that their loan quotas were exhausted—making new loans difficult—and who visited in person to find a bank where they could still borrow. In particular, customers with fixed deadlines for needing funds—such as final payment dates—are reportedly comparing the availability and limits of loans across various banks.

An expansion of the total household loan quota does not immediately translate into an increase in individual customers’ loan limits. Although financial authorities raised the target growth rate for household loans in the financial sector from 1.5% to 3% the previous day, the revised total quotas for individual financial institutions are still under discussion. Nor will the quotas for individual financial institutions be uniformly doubled. Targets for each company will be reset based on factors such as loan performance in the first half of the year, compliance with existing quotas, and loan portfolios.

Since it will take time for each bank’s additional lending capacity to be finalized and reflected at actual branches, any changes noticeable at the counter are expected to be limited for the time being. However, among genuine borrowers who had been left waiting at the threshold of loan approval due to insufficient quotas, interest is shifting from “Can I get a loan?” to “When and how much can I get?”

An official at a commercial bank, identified as Mr. B, stated, “Since branch-specific limits and specific details have not yet been finalized, it is still too early for employees to actively attract customers,” adding, “We have not yet seen a noticeable increase in customer traffic or inquiries at our branches.”