Second Quarter Card Approval Amount Rises 3.7% Led by Corporate Cards

Education and Healthcare Up
Wholesale and Retail, Accommodation and Food, Leisure, and Transportation Down

In the second quarter, credit card spending increased by 3.7% compared to the same period last year.

Caught using corporate card for living expenses and congratulatory money/Photo by Getty Images Bank

According to the "2025 Second Quarter Card Approval Performance Analysis" released by the Credit Finance Association on July 30, the total amount of card approvals in the second quarter was 313 trillion won, and the number of approved transactions was 7.51 billion. These figures represent increases of 3.7% and 1.7%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.

An association official explained, "We are observing a recovery in consumer sentiment, supported by easing domestic uncertainties and expectations for economic stimulus measures," adding, "Card approval performance showed a moderate upward trend due to factors such as increased new car sales and continued improvement in corporate business performance."

The amount of corporate card approvals was 58.3 trillion won, an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period last year. The amount of personal card approvals was 254.8 trillion won, up 3.3%.

The growth rate of corporate card approvals was relatively high. This was influenced by increased tax and utility payments and a recovery in expenditures, both resulting from improved corporate business performance.

By industry, the healthcare and social welfare services sector (9.4%) and the education services sector (3.5%) recorded high growth rates.

In contrast, the wholesale and retail sector (-4.4%), arts, sports and leisure-related services sector (-4.3%), accommodation and food services sector (-2.6%), and transportation sector (-2.6%) all decreased compared to last year.