Household loans at five major banks fell for the first time in six months in September as lenders maintained strict controls on rapid borrowing. Outstanding balances at KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, Woori Bank and NH NongHyup Bank totaled 781.39 trillion won ($580.49 billion) as of Thursday, down 727.6 billion won from the end of August and marking the first monthly decline since March. Mortgage loans fell to 620.5 trillion won from 621.2 trillion won. The decline came despite the government relaxing its household-loan cap, while banks maintained self-imposed restrictions. The banks were said to have received additional quotas from financial authorities, raising their annual household-loan growth target from 4.3 trillion won in 2025 to 7.1 trillion won this year. Excluding policy loans, household-loan balances increased by 108.7 billion won from the previous month.