Isa subscriber base tops 7 million in nearly 10 years

Less than 10 years after their launch, the number of individual savings accounts (ISAs) has surpassed 7 million, data showed. As of end-November, 7.19 million people held ISAs with deposits totaling 46.5 trillion won. The figures come from the Korea Financial Investment Association.

Individual savings accounts (ISAs) were introduced in March 2016 as part of the government's efforts to help individuals build wealth through a one-stop savings scheme with tax benefits. The product allows customers to select investment options like stocks, funds, and deposits themselves or have financial firms manage their assets.

According to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association, as of the end of November, a total of 7.19 million people held ISAs, with deposits amounting to 46.5 trillion won ($32.14 billion). This milestone comes less than a decade after the launch, highlighting rapid adoption.

By type, brokerage-offered ISAs numbered 6.14 million, accounting for 84 percent of the total. Trust-type accounts stood at 919,000, or 12.8 percent. The growth underscores the scheme's success in encouraging diversified savings amid government incentives.

The ISA's design facilitates comprehensive asset management in one account, promoting long-term financial planning. These figures affirm the policy's impact over the past 10 years, with potential for further expansion.

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Illustration depicting South Korean investors at the stock exchange celebrating government tax incentives for reinvesting in domestic assets amid won depreciation concerns.
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Government to offer temporary tax benefits for investors reinvesting domestically

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The South Korean government announced on January 20, 2026, temporary tax incentives for retail investors selling overseas stocks this year and reinvesting in domestic assets. The measure aims to address capital outflows by domestic investors that have contributed to the depreciation of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar.

South Koreans' overseas stock investments nearly tripled from a year earlier to an all-time high in 2025, reaching a level comparable to the country's annual current account surplus, central bank data showed on February 18. The surge has been cited as a key factor behind the weakness of the Korean won.

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South Korean asset management firms' combined net profit for 2025 surged 67 percent to 3.01 trillion won. Preliminary data from the Financial Supervisory Service attributes the rise mainly to increased commission income. Assets under management also grew significantly.

Korean savings banks are intensifying efforts to enter the foreigner finance market amid a rising number of foreign residents. Traditionally dominated by commercial banks, this sector is seeing tailored products from savings banks. Industry officials highlight initiatives to improve financial access for migrant workers.

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The National Pension Service announced on March 2 that the number of national pension recipients in South Korea is likely to surpass 8 million this year for the first time since the program's introduction in 1988. This projection comes amid the country's rapid aging population and low birth rate. The figure reached 7.83 million in November.

South Korean bank household loans continued their decline for a third consecutive month in February, falling to 1,172.3 trillion won ($799.11 billion) amid ongoing government lending curbs, though mortgages edged up slightly due to moving demand ahead of the new school year.

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The National Pension Service's holdings in listed shares jumped 35 percent, boosted by strong performances from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. According to FnGuide data, the value rose from 196.4 trillion won on Sept. 30 to 266.1 trillion won ($183 billion) as of Friday. This surge reflects gains in the semiconductor sector amid a chip market upswing.

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