Banks Eager to Induce Foreign Capital

Banks are eager to induce as much foreign investment and capital as possible now that financial restructuring seems to be over.
Most domestic banks have increased their capital to debt ratio above the 10 percent level through the government's active support. This will probably drive Korea's sovereign credit rating higher and make Korean financial markets more attractive to foreigners.
Hanvit Bank has decided to seek 400-500 million dollars in foreign capital in the first half of this year. Hanvit's chairman, Kim Jin Man, on January 5 commented, 'A couple of external financial institutes are throwing some interest our way and I'm sure we'll be able to make a deal.'
Kookmin Bank will also be introducing up to 500 million dollars from outside the country since it has successfully finished merging with Long Term Credit Bank.
Korea Housing Bank's chairman, Kim Jung Tae, recently visited the United States and Europe to secure 300 million dollars worth of investment.