South Korean banks will need to set aside more foreign - currency deposits this year from a year against uncertain factors overseas , the nation ’ s financial watchdog said Monday . The Financial Supervisory Service ( FSS ) said it will guide local banks to secure stable foreign liquidity by letting them diversify their foreign borrowing , which includes reducing their short - term debts by shifting their financing to more long - term bond sales . The portion of their foreign deposits will be reflected in the regulator ’ s management evaluation on banks this year . Foreign currency - based assets of 18 local banks are expected to increase by 5 . 3 percent this year from a year ago , which is similar to the nation ’ s nominal economic growth rate of 5 . 3 percent and an export growth estimate of 5 . 5 percent , the FSS said . Their mid - and long - term borrowing rate will be maintained at 115 . 4 percent this year , about the same level as 2012 , the FSS added . [ Written by Ye - kyung Hahn / edited by Soyoung Chung ] [ ⓒ Maeil Business Newspaper & mk . co . kr , All rights reserved ]