South Korea's lending environment is tightening as average rates for newly issued credit-line loans, known locally as minus accounts, at five major banks reached 5.01% in July, while three internet banks averaged 6.91%. Separately, KB Kookmin Bank, Shinhan Bank and NH NongHyup Bank rejected 176,725 of 896,110 unsecured personal-loan applications from borrowers with Korea Credit Bureau scores of 901–1,000 during the first half of this year, a 19.7% rate that has risen from 6.6% in 2021. Household-debt controls, rising market benchmarks, credit-score inflation and closer scrutiny of income, existing debt and delinquency history are increasing borrowing barriers and costs, particularly for mid- and low-credit customers.