South Korean banks received a record 2.679 million requests to reduce loan interest rates in the first half of 2026, up 77% from the previous six-month period, after consumers authorized MyData providers to submit applications periodically from Feb. 26. Banks accepted 512,000 requests, lifting total interest relief only 0.8% to 73.43 billion won and driving the acceptance rate down to 19.1% from 27.6%. Average relief per accepted case fell to about 143,000 won from 174,000 won. Household loans represented 95.8% of applications, while corporate loans generated 45% of total savings despite fewer filings. Internet banks received 60.7% of requests but accepted 14.2%, compared with 29.3% among the five major banks. Separately, commercial banks are marketing installment savings accounts with headline rates of up to 12%, although deposit caps, short maturities and preferential-rate conditions limit actual returns.