Seonggeumwon has returned a record 205.8 billion won in dormant financial assets, including deposits and insurance payouts, to rightful owners in the first half of 2026. This marks the largest amount ever returned in a six-month period.
On July 17, Seonggeumwon announced that it had processed a total of 414,000 cases of dormant deposits during this period. The amount returned represents a 25.9% increase compared to the same timeframe last year, with an average payout of approximately 497,000 won per case.
Dormant deposits refer to funds such as expired deposits, insurance payouts, and bearer checks. When financial institutions contribute to Seonggeumwon, the agency manages these funds, allowing rightful owners to inquire and retrieve their money.
Since Seonggeumwon began its dormant deposit contribution and payout operations in April 2008, it has cumulatively returned a total of 25.4 trillion won by June 2026. This includes 3.38 trillion won in dormant deposits, 7.14 trillion won in dormant insurance payouts, and 14.89 trillion won in dormant bearer checks.
Of the total amount returned in the first half of this year, 63.9% was processed through non-face-to-face channels, including Government 24, Account Info, Find My Insurance, financial institutions, and MyData apps.
Starting last month, users can check small dormant deposits of 500,000 won or less through the Toss app and convert them into Toss Pay money for immediate use. Within a month of launching this service, 60,000 cases totaling 1.04 billion won in dormant deposits were processed.
Seonggeumwon has signed additional agreements with nine savings banks, increasing the number of financial institutions participating in dormant deposit contributions to 125. It has also expanded inquiry and payout channels in collaboration with Toss, Bank Salad, NongHyup Bank, and the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.
For elderly individuals who may have difficulty using digital services, Seonggeumwon is sending notification letters to their updated addresses. In the second half of the year, the agency plans to expand its outreach to pension recipients in collaboration with the National Pension Service.
Dormant deposits can be inquired and applied for 24/7 through the 'Connecting Low-Income Finance' app or the 'Find My Dormant Deposits' website. For those who find online access challenging, assistance is available through the Low-Income Finance Call Center, financial institution branches, or the Integrated Support Center for Low-Income Finance.
If you are exposed to illegal loan scams, you can report it to the Financial Supervisory Service for necessary assistance. For those struggling with excessive debt, help is available from Seonggeumwon or the Credit Recovery Commission. Loan contracts with an annual interest rate exceeding 60% are considered null and void for both principal and interest.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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