기업달러예금 밀물...7월 101.1억달러↑ 역대 최대 폭

In July, overseas currency deposits (non-resident foreign currency deposits) surged, recording the largest increase in history. The figure climbed to over 100 billion dollars in a single month, marking a record surge. This trend can be attributed to the export boom led by the semiconductor industry. According to the Korea Central Bank's report released on July 28th, at the end of July, the overseas foreign currency deposits held by domestic foreign banks amounted to 1283.4 billion dollars, a 150 billion dollar rise compared to the previous month.

This marks the second-largest increase in history, following a 158.8 billion dollar rise in December of the previous year. The increase was primarily due to corporate deposits, with the main subject being companies. At the end of July, corporate foreign currency deposits amounted to 1.125 billion 600 million dollars, a 135.7 million dollar increase compared to the previous month, becoming the record for the largest increase.

The previous record was set in November 2022 at 85.7 billion dollars, during the time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated and the international financial market experienced instability. Among the currencies, U.S. dollar deposits grew by 111.2 million dollars, the highest increase ever recorded. The previous highest was in November 2022 at 87.2 billion dollars.

Euro and yen deposits also saw increases of 22.2 million dollars and 15 billion dollars, respectively. The central bank explained that the increase in dollar deposits was mainly due to corporate receipts from exports, foreign exchange issuance by securities firms, and customer deposits. Additionally, the appreciation in the dollar exchange rate was also considered a factor.

The central bank officials stated that the rapid depreciation of the dollar exchange rate made investors anticipate a rise in the exchange rate and thus accelerated their purchases of dollars. The dollar exchange rate fell from 1549.4 won at the end of June to 1424.0 won at the end of July. For corporate foreign currency deposits, the increase was attributed to corporate receipts from exports, while the increase in foreign currency deposits was attributed to corporate dividend payments and foreign exchange issuance fund inflows.

When looking at the breakdown by individual banks, domestic banks saw an increase of 96 billion dollars, while foreign bank branches in the domestic branches saw an increase of 54 billion dollars.